Fender Stratocaster, Sunburst (1961)

The second we picked up this 1961 Fender Stratocaster, we knew we had a special one. Just in from a great local customer of ours, this '61 Strat is of one those old Fenders that seem to have "it" right out of the gate.

This mid-year example - with a 6/61 pencil date in the tremolo cavity and an 8/61 pencil date on the neck heel - is all about the sum of its parts like so many treasured Fenders are. The Birdseye Maple neck has a gorgeous dark chocolate Brazilian Rosewood slab fingerboard that not only looks the part, but plays it too! The original Alder body underwent a well executed NOS-style 3-Tone Sunburst refinish by esteemed guitar refinisher Jack Pigeon back in 2001-2002, and has just started to show its 20+ years of natural aging. A very clean, original and crack-free mint celluloid pickguard supports three fantastic sounding black bobbin pickups and an original harness with Stackpole pots and a 3-way switch. The original tremolo bridge, saddles, and block are in great shape as well. Evidence suggests that the neck pickup had a winding repair done ages ago due to the underwound reading, but the original formvar wire and leads have remained, and the pickup functions without issue. If it weren't metered, you'd never know by hearing it - it sounds crisp and full with classic Strat neck pickup tone.

We simply can't get over the weight and the feel of this Strat, too. Creeping just north of 7lbs, it's right in that sweet spot of feeling supremely balanced and comfortable. Paired with these great pickups it's got an open, airy tonality that's supported with great punch when you dig in or kick some overdrive on. Every pickup position delivers, too.

If you're looking for a transcendently great early 60s Strat and don't need to check off the 'Collector Grade' box an original finish would push this guitar into, we can't recommend this one enough!