Fender 1969 Stratocaster Sunburst w/ original case Excellent

No sales tax for US customers outside California.

We generally fall for pre-CBS Strats the hardest, but this one from 1969 bowled us over with amazing tone and playability.

The neck on this Stratocaster is date-stamped March 22, 1969 — the same year Jimi Hendrix played Woodstock, the same year the three-pickup Strat sound was defining what electric guitar could do in rock, blues, and psychedelia. Quality at Fender didn't really take a hit as soon as CBS took over in 1965 — until 1971 they were pretty much doing business as usual with Strat production, using many of the same parts and techniques from before the buyout. A 1969 Stratocaster represents the CBS era at its most competent — the large headstock and F-stamp Schaller tuners that define the visual identity of the late-1960s instrument, the grey-bottom Alnico single-coil pickups that players and Custom Shop engineers have been trying to replicate for decades, and the U-shaped neck profile that fills the hand differently from the C-shaped profiles of earlier production.

The grey-bottom pickups are the heart of this guitar. All three are original — stamped 9169, indicating September 1969 production, slightly later than the March 1969 neck stamp in a pattern consistent with Fender assembling guitars from parts inventory across several months of production. They read 5.38k neck, 5.52k middle, and 5.49k bridge — closely matched and well within the correct range for grey-bottom Alnico units of this era. The grey bobbin single coils offer a distinct, vital sound in every position: the bridge pickup is all bounce and spank with a chewy, midrange-forward sound, the neck pickup is silky and bell-like with a woody cut, and the in-between positions have a scooped, quack character. The original CTS potentiometers date to week 18 of 1966.  As you may know, Fender bought a huge supply of potentiometers in 1966, after CBS took over, so you'll see them in guitars into the 1970s. Original wiring and solder joints throughout. 

The original synchronized tremolo bridge and tremolo arm are both present — the arm is one of the most commonly missing accessories on vintage Stratocasters, and having it original and intact is a meaningful detail. Original F-stamp Schaller tuners, original 3-ply white pickguard, original knobs, original switch tip. The guitar has been professionally refretted. The alder body finish is original and in good condition with wear consistent with age. At 7 lbs 14.5 oz this is a well-balanced instrument. Action set at 2/32" on both strings at the twelfth fret.

There are no issues with the guitar and it set up perfectly.  There is room in the truss rod for future neck relief adjustments.  The original case is included..

SPECIFICATIONS

• Color: Sunburst
• Finish Original?: yes
• Finish Condition: Very Good
• Weight: 7lbs 14.5oz
• Overall length: 38-3/8"
• Nut Width: 1-5/8"
• String Spacing At Bridge: 2.182"
• Scale Length: 25.5"
• Action 1st String At 12th Fret: 2/32"
• Action 6th String At 12th Fret: 2/32"
• Neck Profile: U
• Neck Material: maple
• Inlay: Pearl Dot
• Neck Thickness At 1st Fret: .825"
• Neck Thickness At 10th Fret: .923"
• Neck Date: 22 MAR 69B
• Neck Markings: stamped date
• Neck Plate Color: chrome
• Neck Plate Material: yes
• Neck Plate Original?: yes
• Neck Screws Original?: yes
• Neck Condition: Very good
• Neck Repairs: none
• Neck Finish Original?: yes
• Tuner Brand And Model: Schaller made F logo closed gear
• Tuners Original?: yes
• Changes To Headstock For Tuners?: none
• Tuner Condition: very good
• Tuner Markings: none
• Tuner Screws Original?: yes
• Nut Material: bone
• Nut Repairs: none
• Fretboard Radius: 7.25"
• Fretboard Material: rosewood
• Fretboard Condition: Very good
• Fretboard Repairs: none
• Fret Condition: very good
• Fret Repairs: refret
• Fret Count: 21
• Body Material: alder
• Body Condition: Very good
• Body Markings: markings in neck pocket, see pics
• Body Repairs: none
• Body Finish Original?: yes
• Body Finish Condition: Good
• 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: good
• Saddle Material: metal
• Saddles Original?: yes
• Pickguard Color: white
• Pickguard Original?: yes
• Pickguard Condition: very good
• Pickguard Screws Original?: yes
• Switch Type: 3 way
• Switch Condition: Very good
• Switch Original?: yes
• Switch Tip Color: white
• Switch Tip Original?: yes
• Neck Pickup Brand: Fender single coil, grey bottom alnico
• Neck Pickup Original?: yes
• Neck Pickup Reading: 5.38k
• Neck Pickup Markings: 9169
• Neck Pickup Condition: Excellent
• Neck Pickup Screws Original?: yes
• Neck Pickup Cover Color: white
• Neck Pickup Cavity Condition: Excellent
• Middle Pickup Brand: Fender single coil, grey bottom alnico
• Middle Pickup Original?: yes
• Middle Pickup Reading: 5.52k
• Middle Pickup Markings: 9169
• Middle Pickup Condition: Excellent
• Middle Pickup Screws Original?: yes
• Middle Pickup Cover Color: white
• Middle Pickup Cavity Condition: Excellent
• Bridge Pickup Brand: Fender single coil, grey bottom alnico
• Bridge Pickup Original?: yes
• Bridge Pickup Reading: 5.49k
• Bridge Pickup Markings: 9169
• Bridge Pickup Condition: Excellent
• Bridge Pickup Screws Original?: yes
• Bridge Pickup Cover Color: white
• Bridge Pickup Cavity Condition: Excellent
• Solders Original?: yes
• Wiring Original?: yes
• Potentiometer Count: 3
• Potentiometer Manufacturer Code: 137
• Potentiometer Date Code: 6618
• Potentiometers Original?: yes
• Potentiometer Condition: Excellent
• Output Jack Original?: yes
• Knob Color: white
• Knob Count: 3
• Knobs Original?: yes
• Knob Condition: Very good
• Case Brand: Fender
• Case Original?: yes
• Case Condition: Good
• Case Smells?: yes, old case smell
• Documentation: none
• String Gauge: 10-46
• Smells?: None

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