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Vintage 1964 Fender Stratocaster, pre-CBS - NO RESERVE!

Estimated price for orientation: 2 100 $

Category: Electric Guitar
Class:











Description
Condition: Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition Brand: Fender
Exact Year: 1964 Right-/ Left-Handed: Right-Handed
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States String Configuration: 6 String


RELISTED DUE TO NON-PAYING F***TARD!(Well, this is ebay and these things do happen sometimes)1964 Fender Stratocaster This vintage Strat is the genuine deal, not a reissue. However, I will stress it is not an all-original, unmolested example from new. I bought this guitar around 9-10 years ago in a playable but otherwise fairly sorry state and have had it restored since to a good near as-original condition. Original or genuine period parts have been retained wherever possible. Main non-original features are, ·         Replacement pickups (see description below) ·         Body-only relic refinish As there is a lot of history here, I think it best if I describe everything individually in detail so you know exactly what you're getting. So here goes. BODY This is an alder body, though I do not know the original colour. Before I acquired this guitar the body had already been refinished (badly) in a rather unconvincing shade of almost Fiesta Red, making a further refinish something of a necessity. So I had it stripped of every last trace of red Dulux and a relic refinish applied in Daphne Blue nitro. The relic process included introduction of some very subtle lacquer cracking, which is developing nicely and should continue to improve the appearance further still over time. When I purchased this guitar, there was an ugly rough-cut rout below the pickups (possibly a battery compartment for active pickups?). This has been expertly filled with new wood, which was stabilised over several months to avoid any potential future issues. The tidy result has not left even a trace of an outline visible under the refinish (see pic). Otherwise, the body is in good undamaged original condition. NECK & TUNERS The neck, dated November 1964, is completely straight and warp-free and the truss rod works fine. There has been no refinishing of any kind, and the back has worn through the laquer down the entire length and feels nicely slick and smooth - just the way we all like 'em! There was a refret shortly before I purchased this guitar (using what appears to be the correct gauge fretwire for the period). I have since had the frets dressed and polished to eliminate any "newness" and give a good played-in feel. The action is comfortably low, and in general playability and feel are everything you would expect from a good vintage Fender. At some time in the past, other (probably F-type) tuners have been fitted. The resulting extra holes are neatly filled and, as the pics show, not at all obtrusive. The tuners now fitted are a good set of genuine mid-60s Kluson double-line, just as original. Also, the nut was replaced fairly recently (a tidy pro job as is all the refurb work). There is some indentation due to wear in several locations all up the fretboard, but nothing at all problematic. If anything it just adds to the overall “organic” feel of the guitar. As the pics show, there has been some flaking of the headstock transfer. However, what remains is all flat and secure so should stay put indefinitely. And of course, there is the usual obligatory cigarette burn by the low E tuner (Why did people used to do that? Especially since Fender have always supplied new guitars with their own ashtray!) PICKUPS I cannot be absolutely sure of the origin of these pickups. But to the best of my knowledge they date from the 1980’s and are based on the bobbins & magnets of either early Fender reissues or early Seymour Duncan “vintage stagger” type, custom rewound with Formvar coated wire as the originals and the magnets bevelled by hand for additional authenticity. I do not have an accurate meter to quote exact DC resistance values, but I recall from measuring them several years back they are all in the 6.2-6.3kohms region, so about right for late pre-CBS “black bottoms”. In this same guitar I have also tried stock 80s USA reissues and, more recently, Bare Knuckle “’63 Veneer” type. Of the three, this set emerge as the clear winner for a well-balanced set with convincingly authentic tone. For an extra touch of “authenticity”, when installing these I filthed-up the output wires to match the surviving original wiring (anal or what? I do worry myself sometimes!) ELECTRICS The original pots and cap are still in place (pots dated week 28 of 1964), and still working well. The control circuit wiring is also original. A 5-way switch is fitted. However, when I bought the guitar there was also a vintage 3-way in the case which is likely the original. So this will be included in the sale. HARDWARE AND PLASTICWARE The trem/bridge assembly is original, possibly including the arm. The pickguard is original. At some point in the past, three mini-toggle switches have been fitted in place of the original PU selector. Two of the resulting repaired holes are disguised under the PU switch screws. The third is a very tidily flush repair with decent colour-matching, so doesn’t show obtrusively but is visible nonetheless (see pics). There is some shrinkage, but no splits or any other damage. The aluminium shield behind the pickguard is a modern replacement. Knobs and PU covers are vintage items and likely original. The rear trem cover, as often the case, has vanished in the mists of time. The non-original (1980s tweed) Fender hard case shown is included in the sale.   So to sum-up, although there are several detail issues to consider, this is nonetheless the real deal and looks, sounds, plays and feels just as it should – and all, I’m sure, for a lot less money than anything comparable with any less chequered history.   Please note, I will NOT be ending this auction early for a BIN offer, so please don’t ask.If the domestic postage price looks high, this is purely down to the cost of insurance. Collection can be arranged if desired to save postage costs, but I will not ship by courier without insurance to the full final value.Please also note that payment via Paypal is required within 48 hours from auction end.