{"product_id":"fender-stratocaster-solid-body-electric-guitar-19601963-14380","title":"Fender Stratocaster Solid Body Electric Guitar (1960\/1963)","description":"Fender Stratocaster Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1960\/1963), made in Fullerton, California, serial # 50597, natural laquer re- finish, alder body; maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, original blond tolex hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAh, the 1970s when Fender guitars were regarded by many players as kits ripe for experimentation and modification! This older Stratocaster is a player's Frankenstein of 70's ideas, built on a chassis of pre-CBS parts. It has the almost inevitable DiMarzio PAF humbucker in neck position and is fitted with an original Alembic Stratoblaster unit, much revered for its use by several prominent players in the 1970s, most avidly Jerry Garcia. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSo, to the rundown of the components, from top to bottom: The clay-dot thin-lam rosewood fingerboard neck is original dated to December 1963. It retains the original Kluson Deluxe tuners, string tree, Fender logo decal and the heavily worn original lacquer finish. It was refretted in the 1980s with larger wire (by Sadowsky, according to the owner) the fingerboard was trued and planes somewhat in the upper fret region but does not appear re-radiused substantially. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe body appears to date to around 1960, which is consistent with the serial number plate. This is supported by the presence of the pre-1963-4 forward screw position on the upper face. It was stripped and refinished long ago in an amber natural lacquer; this finish is quite old and appears to pre-date some subsequent modifications. Unfortunately the fitting of the battery for the Alembic unit in the trem cavity was achieved by a shallow routing that obliterated most of the body date that was penciled there; a small part can still be seen and it appears to be the tail end of a \"0\". The trem is blocked off with a solid piece of wood (Clapton style), the arm hole is filled and only two springs are fitted; even if unblocked the trem would not be functional with the battery in place. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe white plastic pickguard is not original to the guitar; it appears to be an early aftermarket piece from the 1970s and no shielding plate is fitted. Oddly enough the pickguard screws are original, or at least period. The knobs, strap buttons, bridge baseplate and trem block are original, the cast bridge saddles are later aftermarket parts with a sort of space-age look. The plastic trem backplate fitted is oddly cut down; what appears to be the original is in the case, very battered with all the corners cracked off. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe body is obviously routed for a humbucking pickup in the neck position; all under the pickguard cavities had black shielding paint applied, as did the underside of the pickguard in the control area. Another '70s thing. The two Stratocaster pickups are original black bottom Fender units that could date to 1960 or 1963, with shielding paint brushed across the underside poles. The Middle PU retains most of the original waxed cloth leads, the bridge was spliced to the later wiring close to the coil. The mounting screws are aftermarket. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe neck PU is an old DiMarzio PAF model, marked on the underside DIMARZIO PICKUPS MADE IN USA with the triangular mounting tabs dating it not earlier than 1980. The protective ring around the edges was available as an aftermarket part at the time. The rest of the wiring dates to sometime after 1976; the pots are coded 7604 and the switch is a period 5-way with a black tip. There are numerous splices and a small ground strip added in the control cavity. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Alembic Stratoblaster unit mounts in the jack cavity, with a wire run to the battery in the trem cutout on the back. The coverplate replaces the jack cup and the original cavity was not enlarged. This functions as a boost and has a noticeable affect on the guitar's output, reportedly a big part of Jerry Garcia's stage sound in the early\/mid '70s. This Franken-Strat is child of the 1960s but grew up in the 1970s; it would look right at home on \"The Midnight Special\". While not a \"collectible\" piece it has a lot of history behind it and is still a great playing and sounding guitar with a super '70s vibe; Aviator shades and wide bellbottoms not included!\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 38 15\/16 in. (98.9 cm.), 12 3\/4 in. (32.4 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1\/2 in. (3.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 1\/2 in. (648 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5\/8 in. (41 mm.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe varied components are detailed above. A mix of eras and ideas. As a gigging instrument this guitar was played heavily both before after being modified but is a fully functional, fine sounding instrument in its current state. The clear lacquer (NOT oil finish) body finish has dings, dents and scrapes most heavily around the edges with a decent amount of loss on the bottom edge in particular. The original finish on the neck is worn on both sides and along the spine, and there is a decent amount of dirt on the headstock but the finish is intact, with the decal showing discoloration but no notable loss. There is a small chip to the rosewood fingerboard just ahead of the B string spot on the nut. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe hardware shows wear commensurate with age, but everything is functional including the Alembic unit which really sends this one into the stratosphere when engaged. The larger frets show some light wear but play well, and all 3 pickups sound great. This guitar represents a time capsule, but to the 1970-early 80s, not the years of its birth. Today almost nobody would consider modifying a vintage Stratocaster to these specs, but if this is your idea of the perfect gigging Strat, here it is all done up with a bow! The guitar resides in an original blonde Tolex fender case, very heavily worn but still functional. Very Good Condition.","brand":"Fender","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":63339727093900,"sku":"14380","price":12000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_ce040118-9e60-44d4-886d-e899eb5e01f7.jpg?v=1792445742","url":"https:\/\/retrofret.com\/products\/fender-stratocaster-solid-body-electric-guitar-19601963-14380","provider":"RetroFret","version":"1.0","type":"link"}