Fender 1965 Stratocaster Pre CBS L Plate w/ 1964 neck / pickup dates, 1st Week of '65 Pots

No sales tax for US customers outside California.

It is always a treat to find a 100% original, unadulterated Pre-CBS Stratocaster!  Three well-balanced grey-bottom single-coil pickups dated January 29, 1964 deliver exactly what you'd expect from early pre-CBS Stratocaster pickups: clear, bell-like clarity with that characteristic glassy edge on the bridge and warm articulation on the neck. This guitar presents in excellent overall condition with original finish throughout.  It even includes the original whammy bar - very often missing on mid-60s Strats.

The guitar set up perfectly and plays the same.  There is room in the truss rod for future neck relief adjustments.  The original frets have been milled but have play life left in them for sure.  The guitar weighs in at a perfect 7 pounds, 8 ounces.

This is the consummate "transition period" Strat.  Fender was sold to CBS in January 1965, making late-1964 instruments among the last built under Leo Fender's direction. It has an "L Plate" - The "L" designation refers to the neck plate, used from 1963 into 1965 with a letter L ahead of the number. The headstock has the transition logo rather than the earlier "spaghetti" logo.  Clay dots gave way to pearl dot inlays during this period, as seen here.  The original white pickguard is correct for late '64 Strats and later.  The gray bottom pickups date to 1964.  The only parts that push this guitar clearly out of 1964 are the pots, which date from the first week of 1965.  

All solder joints and wiring are original as are all screws, switch tip, knobs, and the back plate. Even the original bridge cover is included.

This is one of those No Excuses instruments that we love to find.  These are the best investments in the market! The original Fender case is included and rates good with no odor. No documentation is included.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Color: sunburst
• Finish Original?: yes
• Finish Condition: Excellent
• Weight: 7lbs 8oz
• Overall Length: 38-3/8"
• Nut Width: 1-5/8"
• String Spacing At Bridge: 2.1875"
• Scale Length: 25.5"
• Action 1st String At 12th Fret: 2/32"
• Action 6th String At 12th Fret: 2/32"
• Neck Profile: C
• Neck Material: maple
• Inlay: Mother of Pearl dot
• Neck Thickness At 1st Fret: .819"
• Neck Date: 2 DEC 64 B
• Neck Plate Color: chrome
• Neck Plate Material: metal
• Neck Plate Original?: yes
• Neck Screws Original?: yes
• Neck Condition: excellent
• Neck Repairs: none
• Neck Finish Original?: yes
• Tuner Brand And Model: Kluson Deluxe
• Tuners Original?: yes
• Changes To Headstock For Tuners?: none
• Tuner Condition: excellent
• Tuner Markings: patent no.
• Tuner Screws Original?: yes
• Truss Rod Cover: none
• Nut Material: bone
• Nut Repairs: none
• Fretboard Radius: 7.25"
• Fretboard Material: Brazilian rosewood
• Fretboard Condition: excellent
• Fretboard Repairs: none
• Fret Condition: excellent
• Fret Repairs: none
• Fret Count: 21
• Body Material: alder
• Body Condition: excellent
• Body Markings: 5, MR on tape in cavity
• Body Repairs: none
• Body Binding: none
• Body Finish Original?: yes
• Body Finish Condition: Excellent
• Body Length: 18"
• Lower Bout: 12-5/8"
• Waist: 9-1/4"
• Upper Bout: 11"
• Body Depth/Thickness: 1-3/4"
• Bridge Brand: Fender Synchronized Tremolo
• Tremolo Or Fixed Bridge?: tremolo
• Bridge Original?: yes
• Tremolo Arm Original?: yes
• Bridge And Saddle Screws Original?: yes
• Bridge Condition: excellent
• Saddle Material: metal
• Saddles Original?: yes
• Pickguard Color: white
• Pickguard Original?: yes
• Pickguard Condition: excellent
• Pickguard Screws Original?: yes
• Switch Brand: switchcraft
• Switch Type: 3 way blade
• Switch Condition: excellent
• Switch Original?: yes
• Switch Tip Color: white
• Switch Tip Original?: yes
• Neck Pickup Brand: Fender grey bottom single coil
• Neck Pickup Original?: yes
• Neck Pickup Reading: 5.77k
• Neck Pickup Markings: 1-29-64
• Neck Pickup Condition: original
• Neck Pickup Screws Original?: yes
• Neck Pickup Cover Color: white
• Neck Pickup Cavity Condition: excellent
• Middle Pickup Brand: Fender grey bottom single coil
• Middle Pickup Original?: yes
• Middle Pickup Reading: 5.73k
• Middle Pickup Markings: 1-29-64
• Middle Pickup Condition: original
• Middle Pickup Screws Original?: yes
• Middle Pickup Cover Color: white
• Middle Pickup Cavity Condition: excellent
• Bridge Pickup Brand: Fender grey bottom single coil
• Bridge Pickup Original?: yes
• Bridge Pickup Reading: 6.18k
• Bridge Pickup Markings: 1-29-64
• Bridge Pickup Condition: original
• Bridge Pickup Screws Original?: yes
• Bridge Pickup Cover Color: white
• Bridge Pickup Cavity Condition: excellent
• Solders Original?: yes
• Wiring Original?: yes
• Control Cavity Condition: excellent
• Potentiometer Count: 3
• Potentiometer Manufacturer Code: 137
• Potentiometer Date Code: 6501
• Potentiometers Original?: yes
• Potentiometer Condition: excellent
• Screws Original?: yes
• Output Jack Original?: yes
• Knob Color: white
• Knob Count: 3
• Knobs Original?: yes
• Knob Condition: Excellent
• Case Brand: Fender
• Case Original?: yes
• Case Condition: good
• Case Smells?: none
• Documentation: none
• Accessories Included: bridge cover
• String Gauge: 10-46
• Smells?: none
• Neck Thickness At 12th Fret: .978"
• Nut Original?: yes

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