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 pickups dated January 29, 1964 deliver exactly what you'd expect from 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.  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" - whichrefers to the neck plate, used from 1963 into 1965 with a letter L ahead of the number. The headstock has the transition 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. 

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: Pearl dot
• Neck Thickness At 1st Fret: .819"
• Neck Thickness At 12th Fret: .978"
• Neck Date: 2 DEC 64 B
• 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 Screws Original?: yes
  
• 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 Finish Original?: yes
• Body Finish Condition: Excellent
• Body Depth/Thickness: 1-3/4"
• Bridge Brand: Fender Synchronized Tremolo
  
• Bridge Original?: yes
• Tremolo Arm Original?: yes
• Bridge And Saddle Screws Original?: yes
• Bridge Condition: excellent
  
• Saddles Original?: yes
• Pickguard Color: white
• Pickguard Original?: yes
• Pickguard Condition: excellent
• Pickguard Screws Original?: yes
  
• Switch Type: 3 way blade
• Switch Condition: excellent
• Switch Original?: yes
• Switch Tip Color: white
• Switch Tip Original?: yes
• Pickup Brand: Fender grey bottom
• Pickups Original?: yes
• Pickup Screws Original?: yes
• Pickup Cover Color: white
• Pickup Markings: 1-29-64
• Pickup Cavity Condition: excellent
• Neck Pickup Reading: 5.77k
• Middle Pickup Reading: 5.73k
• Bridge Pickup Reading: 6.18k
  
• 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
  
• Output Jack Original?: yes
  
• Knobs Original?: yes
• Knob Condition: Excellent
  
• Case Original?: yes
• Case Condition: good
• Case Smells?: none
  
• Accessories Included: bridge cover
• String Gauge: 10-46
• Smells?: none
  
• Nut Original?: yes

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