Introduced in 1966, the Coronado series was Fender’s first serious move into the thinline hollowbody market. Designed by former Rickenbacker designer Roger Rossmeisl, it combined a fully hollow, double-cutaway body with the bolt-on maple neck construction associated with Fender. The Coronado I was the simplest six-string version, with a single neck pickup, dot fingerboard markers and an unbound neck. The more expensive Coronado II added a second pickup, bound fingerboard and block markers.

This first-year 1966 Coronado I is finished in Sunburst, one of the standard finishes offered at launch. Its laminated maple hollow body has bound front and back edges, with a maple neck, rosewood fingerboard and black-faced headstock with gold Fender Coronado I lettering. The single pickup is the characteristic DeArmond-built unit used on the early Coronado series, controlled by one volume and one tone control.

What makes this guitar slightly more interesting  is the “SPECIAL” stamp on the back of the headstock. This marking is seen on a number of early 1966 Coronados associated with promotional, trade-show or demonstration use. It also has a corresponding “S” marking inside the body, which is appears to be connected with the same factory designation. As this guitar is the first year for this model, it could potentially have been a display guitar at that year’s NAMM event or other promotional event.

The original-style floating bridge has been fitted with a newer Tune-o-matic saddle assembly. The original frets are quite substantial for a mid-1960s Fender so the guitar plays very well with an excellent setup. It is in great condition, with just normal cosmetic wear consistent with its age. Weight is 2500g. Includes non-original case.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Model: Fender Coronado I
• Year: 1966
• Country of manufacture: USA
• Construction: Thinline fully hollow electric guitar, no centre block
• Body shape: Double cutaway
• Body material: Laminated maple top, back and sides
• Body width: Approximately 16–16.25″
• Body depth: Approximately 1 11/16″
• Body binding: Cream binding to front and back
• F-holes: Two
• Finish: Sunburst
• Finish type: Lacquer
• Neck: Maple
• Neck construction: Bolt-on
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Fingerboard binding: None
• Fingerboard radius: Approximately 7.25″
• Scale length: 25.5″
• Nut width: Approximately 1 5/8″ / 41.3 mm
• Frets: 21
• Fret type: Original medium-width period Fender frets
• Position markers: Dot inlays
• Headstock: Large six-in-line Fender design with black face
• Headstock logo: Gold Fender script with Coronado I designation
• Tuners: Fender F-key enclosed tuners with white plastic buttons
• String tree: Single metal string retainer
• Pickup: One DeArmond/Rowe Industries-built Fender single coil
• Pickup position: Neck
• Pole pieces: Individually adjustable
• Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
• Pickup selector: None
• Control knobs: Black skirted knobs with silver centres
• Bridge: Floating base with newer replacement Tune-o-matic-style saddle assembly
• Tailpiece: Fender trapeze tailpiece with stylised F
• Hardware finish: Chrome/nickel