SOLD - Vintage L Series Stratocaster Refin – USA 1963

SOLD

This is a nice player grade example of a pre-CBS L Series Stratocaster, with typical features for the time.

It has the older style small headstock with the spaghetti logo of the period, a lovely dark Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with the earlier clay dot inlays which would be phased out at the end of 1964, replaced by pearloid dots.

And the body has been refinished. The refinish was done some time prior to the current owner acquiring this guitar. It is aged nitro lacquer in two tone sunburst, moving from a deep dark brown through to faded yellow in the middle. This is more reminiscent of a 50s era Strat than an L Series sunburst, in which some red would be rather more prominent in the sunburst.

We also received the following info from the owner –

The body has a very small route under the guard where the 2 mini switches were. The switches were removed and the guard repaired before I got the guitar.

When the guitar came to me, some of the controls were not original. So I sourced a completely original unchanged wiring harness from a 1962 Strat, including 3 pots with ’62 date codes, 3 way switch & tip, capacitor, and with unmolested cloth wiring.

(Some more internal pics to come)

Some time ago the fingerboard has been flattened a little – ie the crown taken off the top of the original 7 ½” radius on the board. So the board now feels like it’s approx 10” radius, which actually makes it very comfortable and assists with string bending.

Other features –

2 piece alder body

Very comfortable one piece medium C shaped neck with some lacquer worn through to wood on rear

Brazilian rosewood veneer fingerboard

The neck is dated October 1963

Original black bobbin pickups. Output     N=6.2K       M=6.1K       B=5.8K

Original bridge, block and saddles

Kluson tuners all working perfectly

Serial # L18xxx

Weight 7.5 lbs

The guitar has had an excellent refret by Frank Grubisa, and it’s a beautiful job as usual.

This L Series Strat has obviously been a well loved instrument. It wears its battle scars proudly – testament to a great instrument that deserves to be PLAYED, and clearly has been.

And yes, the pickguard is what it is, but it’s original – and without the ubiquitous crack at the neck pickup.

This is a piece of history from Fender’s golden era, with a refin and a few changes which actually add up to making this guitar a real pleasure to play. Weighing in at a lightweight 7.5 lbs, it feels just fine & has tone to burn.

Comes in its original Australian Stamford case along with its owner’s manual, trem cavity back plate and 1970s curly cord.