1961 Fender Stratocaster

Very cool 1961 Fender Stratocaster in a nice 3 tone sunburst — a true player's guitar with plenty of playwear and that perfectly worn-in feel.

1961 is a coveted year for the Stratocaster, hard to find, and we're always happy to have one in the shop. We bought this one from a local music shop in Detroit, where it had been on consignment from the original or second owner — so it's a non-circulated piece coming straight out of long-term ownership.

It has all the desirable pre-CBS features and, of course, the slab-board rosewood fretboard everyone wants. The neck is dated October 1961, the pots are dated week 34 of 1961, and there's no body date (not unusual). The neck & neck plate fingerprints are both matching 1 on 1 with the body. 

When it came in, it had a poorly fitted replacement nut and its original — very low — frets. Our luthier fitted a new bone nut and gave it a clean fretjob with vintage-style frets, and it now plays perfect. One thing to mention: the back of the neck was oversprayed a long time ago, though the clear coat is now played off and only a few small spots remain visible. Some saddle adjustment screws are replaced. 

It comes in its original brown Tolex case with orange lining. The tremolo arm and the tremolo backplate are missing.

A great-sounding, amazing-playing guitar — and a rare chance to pick up a hard-to-find 1961 Strat.

More details:

• Solid alderbody in 3-tone Sunburst
• One piece maple neck, small Pre-CBS headstock with the Spaghetti-Logo
• Slab board Brazilian Rosewood fretboard 
• 3 original "black-bottom" single coil pickups
• 3-ply greenish pick guard, 1x volume, 2x tone, 3x way switch
• Fender “synchronized” tremolo with “Pat.nr.” saddles
• 6x Kluson "single-line" tuners
• Weight is 3,4 kg
• Incl. orig. brown tolex case with yellow plush-lining.