Fender Stratocaster 1964 Green Guard Pre CBS

No sales tax for US customers outside California.

This 1964 Fender Stratocaster with the coveted "green" pickguard and "L-plate" serial number is a true Pre-CBS classic from one of the most desirable periods in Fender history. Built just before the CBS transition, this guitar represents the height of Leo Fender’s original vision—combining exceptional build quality, timeless design, and a sound that has defined electric guitar music for generations. 

Tonally, this Strat delivers everything players hope for from a great mid-’60s example: glassy, bell-like highs, a woody and articulate midrange, and a tight, piano-like low end that stays clear and focused. The pickups have that three-dimensional, dynamic response that only truly great vintage Strats seem to have, making the guitar incredibly sensitive to pick attack and volume control changes. 

This example has one change that belies the first-glance perfection.  It looks like someone wanted to flip the bridge pickup around in the cavity.  There is a small area of wood removed at the bridge pickup end of the body route where the pickup wires run.  See the pics - there was just enough wood removed to rotate the pickup 180 degrees.  There are no other changes to the guitar.  All parts are original with the exception of the missing backplate and screws.  

The case is a slightly later 60s Fender case - it has the tail on the Fender logo where a 64 case would either have a "no-logo" case or one with no tail under the word Fender.

Check out the price tag that was stashed in the case when we got the guitar.  The last owner obviously made their purchase a long time ago!  The guitar has been in hiding since.

The neck is perfect and the original frets have a good amount of life left.  The guitar sounds incredible - its a beauty!  Weight is 7 pounds, 8.5 ounces.

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

 We buy, sell, and take trades.

Excerpts from real online end-user reviews:
“Pre-CBS Strats are the benchmark for electric guitar tone.” – The Gear Page
“The green guard era has a special magic.” – Strat-Talk
“Nothing feels or sounds like a real ’60s Strat.” – Harmony Central
“Incredibly dynamic and responsive.” – Reddit r/Guitar
“Pure vintage Fender at its finest.” – Ultimate Guitar

Be sure to check out the other cool guitar related stuff on our site
Fender electric guitars - vintage & used
Gibson electric guitars - vintage & used
The largest vintage & used guitar amplifier selection in Northern California
Vintage & Used Effects Pedals

SPECS:

• Color: Sunburst
• Weight: 7lbs 8.5oz
  
• Body: Alder 
  
• Body Date/Code: See Pics
• Neck: Maple
  
• Neck Profile: C
• Neck Date/Code: See Pics
• Fretboard: Brazilian Rosewood
  
• Inlays: Clay Dots
  
• Frets: Original
  
• Fret Count: 21
  
• Nut: Original
  
• Nut width: 1-11/16"
  
• Radius: 7.25"
  
• Scale: 25.5"
  
• Neck thickness at 1st Fret: .816"
• Neck thickness at 12th Fret: .987"
• 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 Grey Bottom Single Coil
• Pickup Reading: 5.56k
• Original?: Yes
• Middle Pickup/Brand: 12/12/64 Fender Grey Bottom Single Coil
• Pickup Reading: 6.05k
• Original?: Yes
• Neck Pickup/Brand: 12/23/64 Fender Grey Bottom Single Coil
• Pickup Reading: 5.61k
• Original?: Yes
  
• Bridge: Original
• Tuners: Original
• Knobs: Original
  
• Switch: 3 Way Original
• 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.