Vintage Fender L-Series Stratocaster - USA 1963

Here is a thing of beauty – a fabulous 1963 Fender Stratocaster in excellent unchanged condition, and finished in stunning, bright sunburst. This one is a sought after L Series Strat, which features a beautiful dark Brazilian rosewood curved fingerboard and all the other features of a wonderful pre CBS Fender. It shapes up in every way – absolutely gorgeous to behold, and beautiful to play. 

Here’s the story –

Neck date stamp is August 1963

Serial number L 06xxx = 1963.

Body features its original nitro finish in 3 tone sunburst in great condition.

Neck is figured solid maple with a dark Brazilian rosewood curved fingerboard. There is no pitting on the board and back of the neck is super clean. Profile is a comfortable medium C shape.

All clay dot markers present.

Original Fender back bottoms pickups.

Original medium frets and plenty of life left in them.

Original nut.

Original potentiometers – code 70-2125-0035 which we think = June 1961

Original pickguard with NO cracks, splits or marks.

Shielding plate under pickguard all intact. 

Original trem arm.

5-way switch installed (original 3-way switch in case)

Original backplate.

Original ashtray bridge cover.

Weight = 7.85 lbs

Apart from the 5-way switch, everything on this one appears to be original, including bridge assembly & saddles, knobs, strap pins and output socket. And it presents in stunning form. Apart from some expected tarnishing on the bridge & saddles, there is little dulling on any of the metal parts. The original nitro finish is in fabulous condition, with some light natural striations which add a character commensurate with its age. The headstock is amazingly clean with every detail of the decals intact.

The neck pickup was rewound by the very experienced Rod McQueen of Sliders Pickups in Sydney over 10 years ago. Respected Sydney luthiers Piers Crocker did the reinstallation, and Frank Grubisa refinished a small part of the inner neck pocket which had carried a previous owner’s New Zealand licence number.

The very short ground cable from the socket to the volume pot meant it was difficult to photograph all of the lower tone pot. But what we could see was that the original switch and cloth wiring is all there and the solder appears unmolested, the pots certainly appear to be original, and the body wood has been undisturbed. There is also a nice set of black bottom staggered pole pickups in place.

This is an exceptionally clean pre-CBS L-Series Strat – and one of the best examples we’ve ever listed. It is in wonderful condition and the delicately figured maple on the rear of the neck is something to behold. Super comfortable to play, it is a beautiful sounding instrument – a clear, airy neck pickup, a fine sounding middle pickup, and a bright and punchy unit at the bridge. Everything you could hope for in a lovely vintage Strat.

Comes in a near-new black Fender hard case in excellent condition.