For sale is this fascinating 1960 Fender Stratocaster in a beautiful Candy Apple Red from the Fullerton Fender factory.

The guitar comes with the original bridge cover and the case candy in the photos.

The body, neck, and all major components date to 1960. It features the coveted slab-board Brazilian rosewood fretboard and a fairly slim neck profile typical of that year. Cosmetically, it is in very good condition, with a few dings and scratches but overall still very attractive. The pickguard shows typical shrinkage and a few cracks, yet everything is fully functional. The nut appears to have been replaced. One of the rubber pickup spacers (“squib”) on the neck pickup has been replaced with a vintage spring. Aside from that, the guitar remains original to its last departure from the factory.

The finish is a factory Fender refinish from the pre-CBS era, applied circa 1964. On the back of the neck heel, the letters “RR” are stamped. While the exact meaning of the letters is debated, this stamp is associated with guitars that returned to the factory for additional work. In this case, the 1960 Stratocaster was sent back to Fender for a new Candy Apple Red finish. Although the guitar was built in 1960, the new finish was applied a few years later at the Fullerton factory.

Everything on this instrument is therefore Fender factory work from the early 1960s, separated only by a short span of years. The result is a instrument with a unique combination of features.

The guitar comes with its original 1960 brown Tolex case. The original owner’s initials, “JWB,” are scratched into the back tremolo cover and also appear on the case. The case shows significant wear and is missing a latch but remains fully functional.

This guitar sounds exceptional. It has a full, open tone and is one of the best-sounding Strats I have owned.

Please contact me before purchasing if you are located overseas to discuss shipping arrangements.