Purchased directly from its original owner, this 1960 Fender Stratocaster has been loved, played, and personalized throughout its life. It features a fantastic 1960 neck profile, lightweight and highly resonant vintage wood, untouched original electronics, and one of the coolest custom-color stories you’re likely to find.

The “Milk Carton” Finish Story

This Stratocaster left Fender’s Fullerton factory in 1960 wearing its original Sunburst finish.

Around 1966, the original owner decided he wanted a change. He found a particular shade of Robin’s Egg Blue on a cardboard milk carton that he loved so much that he literally cut out the color sample, took it to his local paint shop, and had the guitar professionally refinished to match.

The finish work was exceptionally well done and applied incredibly thin, with a feel reminiscent of Fender’s early factory finishes. It consists of a dark blue undercoat, Robin’s Egg Blue color coat, and a clear topcoat.

After roughly 60 years, the finish has aged beautifully. It has settled naturally into the wood and has the look, feel, checking, wear, and unmistakable character you want from a genuine vintage instrument.

Neck & Headstock

The back of the neck received a very light, thin overspray many years ago. It has worn in beautifully and feels exceptionally smooth in the hand, with none of the sticky or heavy feel associated with thicker modern finishes.

The guitar was later taken to Glaser Instruments in Nashville, where the headstock received the proper replacement Fender decal and the guitar was fitted with the correct-style tuners.

Glaser’s also featured this guitar in a documentary-style video, using Old Blue to showcase their new Music City Saddles.

The Music City Saddles are currently installed on the guitar, while the original 1960 saddles are preserved and included in the case. Glaser‘s did a killer 6105 fret job, neck is amazingly smooth and perfect.

That combination gives the next owner the benefit of Glaser’s modern saddle design while keeping the original vintage hardware safely with the instrument.

Electronics, Hardware & Originality

This guitar remains remarkably original where it counts most.

Electronics:
100% original and untouched 1960 electronics with original pickups and virgin solder joints.

The pickups deliver everything you want from an early pre-CBS Stratocaster: glassy top end, clarity, bite, warmth, and that unmistakable vintage Fender chime and bark.

Body Hardware & Plastics:
Original pickguard, knobs, bridge hardware, and plastics.

The original saddles are included in the case, with Glaser’s Music City Saddles currently installed.

Neck Plate:
Original 1960 neck plate.

Playability, Neck Specs & Weight

This guitar is an exceptionally lightweight and resonant Strat, weighing only:

Weight: 7.16 lbs

For a 1960 Stratocaster, the neck has a beautifully substantial and comfortable carve. It fills the hand perfectly and does not have the extremely thin profile sometimes associated with other vintage Fender necks.

Nut Width: 1.64"

Neck Depth at Nut: 0.85"

12th Fret Width: 2.01"

12th Fret Depth: 0.96"

The combination of the neck carve, light body, original pickups, and decades of natural play wear makes this guitar exceptionally comfortable and inspiring to play.

Case & Original Ace Strap

The guitar includes its original vintage Ace strap, an incredible piece of period-correct case candy that has remained with the instrument.

The original 1960 saddles are also included in the case.

It will ship safely in a non-original Fender Tweed reissue case, believed to date from the 1990s. The case fits the guitar perfectly and provides excellent protection.

A Truly Special Pre-CBS Strat

This is a rare opportunity to own a genuine 1960 pre-CBS Fender Stratocaster acquired directly from its original owner.

Old Blue has everything that makes a vintage guitar memorable: history, personality, lightweight resonant wood, untouched electronics, honest play wear, an incredible neck, and a one-of-a-kind story behind its Robin’s Egg Blue finish.

Its more recent history with Glaser Instruments only adds to the story. Glaser’s installed the proper replacement headstock decal and correct tuners, and the guitar was featured in a documentary-style video showcasing their Music City Saddles, which remain installed today.

The original saddles have been retained and travel with the guitar.

It is not a museum piece pretending it was never played. It is a real vintage Stratocaster that has lived a life, developed its own character, and survived with the important parts remarkably intact.

And if someone asks why it’s blue, you get to tell them:

“Because the original owner saw the perfect shade of blue on a milk carton in 1966.”

Free personal delivery available within approximately 3 hours of Nashville, Tennessee.