Up for sale, a 1966 Fender Electric XII in excellent, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, finished in custom color Lake Placid Blue and complete with the original hardshell case. Purposefully built to accept the tension of 12 strings (unlike most of the 12-string guitars built in the 1960s to capitalize on the burgeoning folk craze and British invasion), the Fender Electric XII was one of the last projects fully realized by Leo Fender before he handed over the keys to CBS. An immediate favorite upon its introduction, the Electric XII is heard on many classic Beatles, Who, and Zeppelin recordings (including Stairway to Heaven), as well as countless Wrecking Crew sessions in LA in the 1960s.

Weighing 8lbs 6oz, tonewoods include an alder body, maple neck, and bound Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with pearl block inlay. Via the original pair of split-coil pickups, this guitar delivers plenty of 12-string jangle and chime. Additionally, the four-way rotary pickup selector switch enables each pickup to be selected individually, or paired up in both parallel (normal) and out-of-phase configurations for unique, slinky sounds. This Electric XII has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with fresh 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

• Wood: Maple
• Shape: Medium C, full shoulders, measuring .850” 1st fret, .935” 12th fret
• Fretboard: Brazilian rosewood (bound), 7 1/4” radius, block inlays
• Frets: Slender, leveled/crowned, faint wear on 1-2
• Scale Length: 25 1/2”
• Nut: 1 5/8”
• Tuners: F-stamped
• Serialization: Six-digit (on “F” neck plate)
• Factory Markings: August, 1966 neck heel date stamp

Body Specs:

• Wood: Alder
• Pickups: “Z” Split-coil x2
• Harness: Untouched solder, CTS pots date to 17th week of 1966
• Controls: Volume, Tone, Four-way rotary pickup selector
• Hardware: Chrome-plated bridge base with 12 barrel saddles
• Plastics: Three-ply pickguard, witch hat knobs

The gloss custom color Lake Placid Blue nitro lacquer finish is 100% original with no touch-up or overspray, exhibiting subtle checking and gentle greening of the clear coat. There is some light buckle wear on the back, a number of small finish chips and scuffs, and a small area of wear on the back of the bass side body horn. The ambered gloss on the neck profile is smooth and clean, highlighting subtle curly figuring in the maple.

The original black tolex hardshell case is included. The case retains its original trio of latches and handle, with a (largely intact) small tail-less Fender logo on the lid.