Fender Stratocaster 1964 L-Plate Green Guard Transition Logo

No sales tax for US customers outside California.

This 1964 Fender Stratocaster is a prime transition-era example, featuring the coveted L-series neck plate, rare green nitrate pickguard, and the short-lived transition logo that marks one of the most desirable periods in Fender’s history.

Built right at the crossroads of the pre-CBS and CBS eras, this Strat blends the craftsmanship and tone of early ’60s Fenders with subtle cosmetic changes that collectors and players alike prize.

The alder body resonates with that unmistakable old-wood liveliness, while the pickups deliver glassy highs, rich midrange, and a piano-like low end that only a great mid-’60s Strat can produce.

The guitar has some changes that make it more affordable than others, and it is a killer player that set up really well for us.  The body and neck wear are so tasty.  The red band in the sunburst has faded from years of use that give the guitar the feel you want in an old Strat.  

The finish is original throughout.

As for the changes...  The tuners are repro parts that cover post holes that were widened to accommodate Schaller machines.  You can see the Schaller screw mounting holes peeking out from behind the tuners.  The bushings are repros as well that fill the widened post holes to properly support vintage tuning machine posts.  The switch is an old 5-way - old enough to show oxidation like an original.  The frets are jumbos, but they've been played in some and really play well.  The pickup and control cavity have been covered in shielding paint.  The back plate is missing.  

All other parts are original.  The pots date to the 28th week of 1964.  The neck date is from November '64.  The pickups are dated 11-24-64.

This Strat presents as a true player’s vintage instrument with honest wear consistent with age and a sound that is open, dynamic, and endlessly inspiring. It’s the kind of guitar that immediately explains why early-’60s Strats remain the benchmark for electric guitar tone and feel.

As with all instruments at Mahar’s Vintage Guitars, it has been fully inspected, photographed accurately, and professionally set up to play its absolute best.

We buy, sell, and take trades.

Excerpts from real online end-user reviews:
“Pre-CBS and transition Strats are in a league of their own.” – The Gear Page
“Green guards just hit different—tone and vibe.” – Strat-Talk
“Nothing feels like a real early ’60s Strat.” – Harmony Central
“L-series Strats are peak Fender.” – Reddit r/Guitar
“Pure magic in every note.” – Ultimate Guitar

SPECS:

• Color: Sunburst
• Weight: 7lbs 11oz
• Body: Alder 
  
• Body Date/Code: See Pics
• Neck: Maple
  
• Neck Profile: C
• Neck Date/Code: See Pics
• Fretboard: Brazilian Rosewood
  
• Inlays: Mother of Pearl Dot
  
• Frets: ReFret
  
• Fret Count: 21
  
• Nut: Not Original
  
• Nut width: 1-5/8"
  
• Radius: 7.25"
  
• Scale: 25.5"
  
• Neck thickness at 1st Fret: .85"
• Neck thickness at 12th Fret: 1.01"
• Action 1st String at 12th Fret: 2/32"
  
• Action 6th String at 12th Fret: 2/32"
  
• Overall length: 38-3/8"
  
• Lower bout: 12-5/8"
  
• Waist: 9-1/4"
  
• Upper bout: 11"
  
• Body depth/thickness: 1-3/4"
  
• String gauge: .010-.046
  
• Hardware Color: Nickel
• Pickguard: Original "Green Guard", signs of shrinkage
• Bridge Pickup/Brand: Fender single-coil grey-bottom 
• Pickup Reading: 6.45k
• Original?: Yes
• Middle Pickup/Brand: Fender single-coil grey-bottom 
• Pickup Reading: 7.17k
• Original?: Yes
• Neck Pickup/Brand: Fender single-coil grey-bottom 
• Pickup Reading: 6.14k
• Original?: Yes
  
• Bridge: Original
• Tuners: RePro / Japan
• Knobs: Original
  
• Switch: Non Original 5 Way
• Pots/Codes: Original
• Case: OHSC
• Notes: 

Shipping policy:

There are multiple shipping cost options for purchases made on our site.  Select Ground, 3 Day, 2 Day, or Next Day Air Saver.  For Reverb purchases, there is one cost option for Eastern states - customers from any state that is more than a 3 day UPS ground shipment from our shop will get their shipment via UPS 3 day air.  Otherwise, ground shipping will be used.  Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions.  If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to sales@maharsvintageguitars.com.  Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.