Vintage Fender L-Series Stratocaster Refin - USA 1963

This is a nice player grade example of a pre-CBS L Series Stratocaster, with typical features for the time. Bought by its current owner from a second-hand store in 1966, it has been played and very well-loved. 

It has the older style small headstock with the spaghetti logo of the period, a lovely dark Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with the earlier clay dot inlays which would be phased out at the end of 1964, replaced by pearloid dots.

And the body has been refinished. The refinish was done prior to the current owner acquiring this guitar. It is aged nitro lacquer in a magnificent red/orange - certainly not a Fender custom colour but it looks the business in any case!

The refinish makes it a more difficult task to date the body but we can see under the guard that there is a screwhole between the neck and middle pickups that was phased out in late 1963, indicating that this is more than likely a '63 body.

The original pickups have been replaced with the middle pickup being a Fender Custom Shop Texas Special, the bridge and neck look to be older Stratocaster pickups. A lot of the electronic work was performed by industry recognised luthier Russell Vance out of the ACT in the early 90s.

Other features –

Alder body

Very comfortable one piece medium C shaped neck with some lacquer worn through to wood on rear

Brazilian rosewood veneer fingerboard

The neck is dated March 1963

Non-original pickups. Output     N=7.3K       M=7.9K       B=7.5K

Original pots

Non-original 3-way switch installed in 1992

Original bridge & block

Replaced saddles (originals in case)

Kluson tuners all working perfectly

Non-original tortoise shell pickguard

Non-original backplate cover

Serial # L04435

Weight 3.7kg / 8.15lb

The guitar has had an excellent refret in the late 70s, and it’s a beautiful job. Still tonnes of life left in the frets.

This L Series Strat has obviously been a well loved instrument. It wears its battle scars proudly – testament to a great instrument that deserves to be PLAYED.

This is a piece of history from Fender’s golden era, with a refin and a few changes which actually add up to making this guitar a real pleasure to play. Weighing in at a lightweight 8.15lbs, it feels just fine & has tone to burn.

Comes in its original Australian Stamford case with curly red lead.