It’s a little-known fact that the first Candy Apple Red Fender instruments were sprayed over silver undercoats during their introduction in 1963. During 1965, the undercoat was switched to gold, creating a slightly warmer tone that proved immensely popular.
Crafted during the summer of 1965, this 100% original instrument is an early example of this classic finish. The trio of gray-bobbin single-coil pickups were produced during June of ’65, while the all-original stackpole pots are dated to the 16th week of 1965.
As this period was a transitional time for Fender, the rosewood fingerboard hosts pearloid dot markers, along with the original wide frets and 1 5/8”-wide nut, making this maple neck “B”-sized in the parlance of the time.
The legend “C A Red” was carved on the body, under the pickguard before the guitar was finished—an indication that this instrument was certainly something special.
OVERVIEW 1965 Stratocaster in Candy Apple Red, Serial number L86369. Considered the "transition era" for the Strat, the "L" serial number generally indicates "Pre-CBS". A significant departure from the original early 50's Strats, the 65 has some striking features that exemplify the end of the Leo Fender era an illustrate the evolution of the Strat from its early counterpart. The Candy Apple Red Finish which was standard in the '60s exemplifies the era and a time when the Strat was about to become as big as the Rock Stars who played it.
NOTES Very clean. A small ding on the main bout which you can see in photos. Some light wear around the neck pocket and some consummate wear for the guitars age. Pretty awesome guitar.
FEATURES Alder body with Candy Apple Red Lacquer finish, maple neck with round-lam rosewood fingerboard, 7.25" fingerboard radius and 21 frets, 3 single-coil "grey bottom" Strat pickups, 3-way pickup selector switch, 3-ply white pickguard, 6-saddle synchronized tremolo, Kluson Deluxe tuning machines, wing string tree with spacer.
BENEFITS Why not have the real thing. Puts you in the driver's seat with some of music's greatest players and timeless sounds and songs of all time.
DEVIANT SPECS Pearl face and side dots, "grey-bottom" pickups, round-lam rosewood fingerboard, slightly less drastic contours than 50's models.
Each purchase includes an Initial Inspection and Setup from a Fender Custom Shop Master Builder, 2-Year Limited Warranty, Custom Shop Warranty Service, hand-filled Inspection Sheet, Certified Vintage™ Certificate of Authenticity and factory case candy in the original cases.
UPS Overnight Shipping is available on all items in the Fender Certified Vintage™ Reverb shop.
As an additional option Reverb is also offering personal hand delivery to your door to any location in the Continental United States. Please message post purchase to negotiate delivery of your instrument.
Perhaps more than any other year, 1965 marks a major turning point for Fender and Stratocaster production. It was in 1965 that CBS took control of the company, and brought the first wave of changes to a more mass production based model. Key indicators for Stratocasters of this transition era are a larger headstock compared to previous years as well as a script 'F' on the neck plate. In 1965, Fender also brought back the maple fingerboard as an option on a two-piece neck. While most collectors and players consider post-CBS Strats to be of an inferior quality to older models, these instruments remain very collectable on the vintage market. A key determining factor is the serial number: CBS switched from numbers starting with an L to numbers starting with an F. Those starting with an L are from earlier in the year and are generally more sought-after.
Years of Production: 1954 - present
Unique to this Year: Switch from clay to pearloid dot inlays on fingerboard, enlarged headstock, and a somewhat less dramatic contouring shape on the body.
Body Style: Offset solidbody
Wood Composition: Alder body, Maple neck with veeneer Rosewood fingerboard
