1963 Fender Stratocaster, Sunburst

A superb 1963 Fender Stratocaster, in an eye-catching worn, Sunburst finish. This L-series example has all the hallmarks of a classic ’63, pairing the veneer rosewood fingerboard with clay dot inlays, with a slightly larger feeling neck than is typical of it's rosewood board predecessors. The 3-tone sunburst finish has worn nicely in all the right places and has an especially thick black perimeter burst that really frames the body and gives it a very distinctive look.

Spec-wise, features include the spaghetti logo, 3 pat no. decal, single line Kluson tuners, rosewood fingerboard with clay dot inlays, black bottom pickups, 'mint' guard and 3 tone sunburst finish. The neck is beautifully flamed Maple, with that desirable worn feel, and a profile that fits like a glove. It's quite full in the shoulders with a flatter back, thickening to a chunkier, more rounded C profile as you head towards the body. 

Under the hood it remains largely original, retaining three original black-bottom single coil pickups. The neck pickup had previously failed and was professionally repaired in 2021, with the work carried out to original spec by Aaron Armstrong, as detailed in the accompanying Bill Puplett workshop report. 

Tonally, it delivers the classic early-’60s Strat recipe in spades, clear and bell-like in the neck, hollow and vocal in the in-between settings, with that dry, articulate bridge pickup snap that cuts so well in a mix.

Alongside the pickup repair, the guitar received a professional refret, new bone nut, and a replacement volume pot meaning it's fully up to gigging standard and plays beautifully. The two tone pots are correct with Stackpole codes from the week 34 of 1963.

This is exactly the kind of vintage Strat we love at ATB: a visually stunning, killer sounding pre-CBS example with a big neck and a great feel! Comes complete with the correct white Tolex case.