Fender Stratocaster, Olympic White (1963)

Widely considered a Banner year for vintage Strats, this late '63 checks all the "ultimate player" boxes

1963 Fender Stratocaster with a gorgeous Olympic White refin just listed!

After decades under the ownership of a professional musician from the Boston area, this '63 Strat has been restored back to its vintage glory in convincing fashion. Originally a Sunburst finished guitar, it received a "freshening up" of sorts by way of a new Sunburst finish in the 1980s. Heavily applied and lacking the proper period look, among with some parts changes we often see as common modifications of the era, we decided it was best to peel things back and get this guitar looking, feeling, and playing like a true early 60s Fender. Thankfully, the core elements of the guitar were intact. Alder body (with original pencil date), original 3-ply mint guard, original pickups, and the amazing original neck set the stage for the perfect rebuild.

We shipped the body off to Gord Miller in British Columbia, who is one of the best in the business at vintage refinish work. The aged Olympic White finish turned out fabulous, with nice light to moderate wear and checking commensurate of a guitar this age and with the amount of hours it had logged before we acquired it.

We sourced some excellent aftermarket parts (tuners, screws, knobs, saddles) to accompany original components, and the look is now all-vintage.

In true '63 fashion, this guitar absolutely sings, with excellent original black bottom pickups and one of the best neck carves of Fender's Golden years (in our opinion, anyway).

These long term vintage restorations take time, money, and a level of emotional investment and passion to bring them to fruition, and there are few experiences in this arena that are as rewarding. We love breathing new life into old guitars, and this '63 proves that it's always worth the effort.