Fender Stratocaster Solid Body Electric Guitar (1964)
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Item # 9889
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Fender Stratocaster Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1964), made in Fullerton, California, serial # L25309, stripped finish, alder body, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, original blond tolex hard shell case.
This is what today we call a classic "player's" early 1964 Fender Stratocaster, showing wear and tear including the stripped body finish common in the '70s but fully restorable if desired. This guitar has had one owner since the 1970's, and although cosmetically altered from original condition, still retains much of its period character.
This would actually be a great template for a "dream" Stratocaster -- Sonic Blue? Inca Silver? Could be! As it stands, the body finish was stripped long ago with some sanding but nothing too excessive. It carries a very light clear overcoat that is worn down to the wood again in some areas. There are dings, dents and scrapes overall and some minor loss from the sanding but the body is restorable to a more original-appearing finish if desired. There are no routs or serious alterations to the body and the original sunburst paint is still in the cavities.
The neck finish remains original, fairly well worn down to the wood on the back of the neck but unaltered. The original headstock decal is nicely preserved. The guitar has never been refretted and the existing frets are very well worn; it is just-about-playable as is but is really a prime candidate for a pro refret with a period correct, or indeed any other, wire preferred without guilt!
This guitar started life as a sunburst Stratocaster with the standard appointments for the period. The rosewood fingerboard-faced neck is marked 2 Jun 64 B on the heel indicating a fabrication date of the summer of 1964, with the typical "B" nut width. Visible date codes on the potentiometers indicate they are a matched set from the 22nd week of 1964. The neckplate carries an L- series number typical of this period. The original green nitro pickguard is lovely, shrunken a bit as they all are but with no cracks or breaks.
The fittings and hardware remain original including the tuners, pickups, pots, covers, switch, knobs and wiring. The strap buttons are the only changed part. The neck pickup output is quite a bit stronger than the other two; the bridge and middle pickups would require work to perform to spec. This is unfortunately increasingly an issue as these guitars age. Both pickups have some output, but the sound is not what it should be and they would benefit from a repair or total rewind, depending on where the problem turns out to be in the coil itself. This can be easily arranged, but we have left the instrument's interior completely original for the moment.
The bridge and saddles are original; There is typical corrosion to the saddles and some of the adjustment screws are 'sticky' in operation. Even the trem arm appears correct. The back trem cavity cover included is cracked at several screw holes. The body has some dings, dents and dirt spots typical of the look of these de-finished instruments. Despite the indignities it has suffered, this guitar retains the "bones" of a highly coveted pre-CBS era Fender Stratocaster relatively easily restorable to be an excellent player's instrument in any desired finish.
Overall length is 39 3/4 in. (101 cm.), 12 3/4 in. (32.4 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 1/2 in. (648 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.). In need of restoration. Unrestored Condition.
This is what today we call a classic "player's" early 1964 Fender Stratocaster, showing wear and tear including the stripped body finish common in the '70s but fully restorable if desired. This guitar has had one owner since the 1970's, and although cosmetically altered from original condition, still retains much of its period character.
This would actually be a great template for a "dream" Stratocaster -- Sonic Blue? Inca Silver? Could be! As it stands, the body finish was stripped long ago with some sanding but nothing too excessive. It carries a very light clear overcoat that is worn down to the wood again in some areas. There are dings, dents and scrapes overall and some minor loss from the sanding but the body is restorable to a more original-appearing finish if desired. There are no routs or serious alterations to the body and the original sunburst paint is still in the cavities.
The neck finish remains original, fairly well worn down to the wood on the back of the neck but unaltered. The original headstock decal is nicely preserved. The guitar has never been refretted and the existing frets are very well worn; it is just-about-playable as is but is really a prime candidate for a pro refret with a period correct, or indeed any other, wire preferred without guilt!
This guitar started life as a sunburst Stratocaster with the standard appointments for the period. The rosewood fingerboard-faced neck is marked 2 Jun 64 B on the heel indicating a fabrication date of the summer of 1964, with the typical "B" nut width. Visible date codes on the potentiometers indicate they are a matched set from the 22nd week of 1964. The neckplate carries an L- series number typical of this period. The original green nitro pickguard is lovely, shrunken a bit as they all are but with no cracks or breaks.
The fittings and hardware remain original including the tuners, pickups, pots, covers, switch, knobs and wiring. The strap buttons are the only changed part. The neck pickup output is quite a bit stronger than the other two; the bridge and middle pickups would require work to perform to spec. This is unfortunately increasingly an issue as these guitars age. Both pickups have some output, but the sound is not what it should be and they would benefit from a repair or total rewind, depending on where the problem turns out to be in the coil itself. This can be easily arranged, but we have left the instrument's interior completely original for the moment.
The bridge and saddles are original; There is typical corrosion to the saddles and some of the adjustment screws are 'sticky' in operation. Even the trem arm appears correct. The back trem cavity cover included is cracked at several screw holes. The body has some dings, dents and dirt spots typical of the look of these de-finished instruments. Despite the indignities it has suffered, this guitar retains the "bones" of a highly coveted pre-CBS era Fender Stratocaster relatively easily restorable to be an excellent player's instrument in any desired finish.
Overall length is 39 3/4 in. (101 cm.), 12 3/4 in. (32.4 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 1/2 in. (648 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.). In need of restoration. Unrestored Condition.