Up for sale, a 1963 Fender Stratocaster in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case and era-correct Stratocaster hangtag. This vintage Pre-CBS Strat has date codes spanning late 1962 and the first weeks of '63, boasting a body-only nitro lacquer refinish in Shoreline Gold courtesy of Gord Miller. Lovingly restored and retaining original electronics, hardware, and plastic parts, this guitar features a new genuine Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and professional refret executed by Portland Fretworks.

A prime example of golden age Fender quality and tone, the original trio of black bobbin single coils have been wired to a five-way Switchcraft pickup selector switch, and each pickup has a distinct voice. From cutting sounds ideal for chording with complex midrange content and a touch of wooly character, to singing tones tailored for lead work that are articulate and shimmering, this Strat has a broad palette of classic Fender tonalities. The 2 and 4 positions on the switch are snappy and jangling, and the guitar is extremely resonant, offering a natural acoustic tone that is particularly snappy and clear, with a crisp percussive cut and sweet overarching character. Quite simply, this 1963 Stratocaster is very representative of the reverence afforded the "Pre-CBS" era. The guitar weighs 7lbs 6oz and has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with 11-50 strings, comfortable action, and spot-on intonation.

The maple neck has a modestly slender C carve with moderate shoulder at the nut, quickly filling out with more heft and a chunky handful from the 7th fret and beyond, foreshadowing the even bigger shapes in ’63. It’s the perfect middle ground for players seeking the effortless, fast feel of the 1960-62 carves and the substance Fender’s neck profiles achieved in ’63. The profile measures .840" deep at the 1st fret and .999" at the 12th. The new jet black  Brazilian rosewood fretboard sports clay dots and faintly rolled edges, and the fretboard features a vintage-spec 7 1/4" radius and new 6230-size vintage-spec slender fretwire. A new bone nut has also been carved, measuring 1 5/8" in width. On the headstock, the original single line Kluson Deluxe tuning machines are intact, showing heavy patina and a touch of bleed-out from the surface rust into the adjacent finish. The original Stratocaster decal is intact on the headstock face, and the neck heel retains its December, 1962 date stamp.

On the body, all of the electronics work as they should with a trio of original black bobbin pickups which all retain their original windings. The pickups are wired to a five-way pickup selector switch, and the original Stackpole pots date to the 2nd week of '63 (the only date on the instrument to cross over from 1962 to 1963). The original pickup covers, knobs, and mint green pickguard are intact, and the guard is an excellent example with minor shrinkage, great color and no breaks or undue warping. The vibrato unit is 100% stock and complete with pat. pending saddles and the original trem block. Currently utilizing four springs, the vibrato has a taut, deliberate response. From quick flutters to more drastic dives, this vibrato unit works just as designed and the trem block is an integral part of a Strat's sustain and tonal character. Beneath the tremolo springs, the original grease pencil 11/62 body date has been retained.

The body features a professional body-only refinish courtesy of Gord Miller in one of Fender's rarest custom colors, Shoreline Gold. This shade of Shoreline is warm and elegant with purposeful yellowing of the clear coat further enhancing the gold tint and a proper “tan line” beneath the pickguard and back plate revealing the more silvery unaged shade. Simulated body wear applied by Gord Miller includes finish checking, case rub, a sliver of forearm “wear,” and some strategic scattered dings. The original finish has been retained on the neck heel, with the gloss mostly worn to the smooth bare maple along the profile, and the original finish retained, albeit with clear overspray, on both sides of the headstock.

This is truly a fantastic Strat in every sense of the word, and the black bobbin pickups resonating through an old alder body and slab Brazilian rosewood board is truly something to behold. The strong acoustic character of the instrument translates perfectly through your favorite Tweed or Blackface amp, and this Strat chimes and sparkles with the best. Very original, lovingly restored as needed, meticulously examined and ready to be played, this Strat is not to be missed!

A vintage, era-correct Stratocaster hangtag has been paired with the guitar, with original handwritten "Stratocaster, Gold" text on the Jazzmaster-shaped tag.

The original blonde tolex Fender hardshell case is included as well. There is wear on case edges with missing stitching on the black leather ends. The case is structurally compromised on the body end, but still holding together just fine. The handle is intact and original latches still spring open.

A note on shipping: Shipping in the continental USA will be $250, fully insured and shipped via FedEx Two-Day Air. Overnight shipping is available for an additional fee at buyer's request. We happily ship WORLDWIDE