By 1963, Fender’s flagship Stratocaster was 9 years old and evolved into the classic form we now know as ‘pre-CBS with Rosewood fretboard’. Here we have serial number 89805 with a smooth ‘B’ neck dated Dec 1963. A one-owner instrument with original Stamford case, but with some changes over the decades, now refinished in Candy Apple Red.
Please read the following details carefully as this is what we believe provides a complete overview of the guitar, coming from our own careful analysis and input from Frank Grubisa who restored the instrument.
The dark Rosewood fretboard was professionally refretted in 2020 using vintage-correct 6105 fretwire and plays beautifully.
The tuners are not original. They have been replaced with excellent 1964 double line Klusons showing the correct Patent Nos on the body side.
The back of the headstock shows aftermarket tuners have been on the guitar, possibly Schallers, and the holes expertly plugged. The spline holes are original.
The neck has a replaced aftermarket decal and has been refinished.
The neck plate is original, Serial no 89805 which dates to 1963.
The pickguard has been replaced with an aged Grubisa one. The original pickguard is no longer with the guitar.
The body is a 1963 Fender alder body with an invisible repair to an earlier humbucker rout.
The body has undergone a professional refin by Frank Grubisa. The guitar was originally finished in Fiesta Red, now in Candy Apple Red.
Current pickups are Neck: Original 1962 black bottom, rewound by Rod ‘Sliders’ McQueen in 2024, Middle: Fender c. 1966 grey bottom, Bridge: Original 1962 black bottom.
The wiring has been restored to original specifications with new period correct repo CTS pots.
The 3-way switch is original.
Metal hardware including tremolo arm is all original, except for 2 screws on the bridge and 2 on the saddles.
The tremolo system works well. The original chromed bridge cover is in the case, along with the original strap.
Plastic parts are original apart from the replacement pickguard.
It comes with its original grey Australian-made Stamford case with green velvet lining in good condition with all latches working.
This is a vintage Stratocaster that looks, feels and plays great and was loved and played extensively by one original owner most of its working life.
