1962 Fender Stratocaster

For your consideration, Garrett Park Guitars presents this 1962 Fender Stratocaster.

With its spaghetti logo, clay dots, mint-green guard, and slab board neck dating to January 1962, this Stratocaster is a particularly clean and well-preserved example of the classic early-’60s formula. The neck is a comfortable medium C and the guitar has that lively, immediate feel these early Strats are known for. Tonally, it delivers the goods: clear and snappy with plenty of glass on top, a woody midrange, and (thanks to the fairly stiff original three-way switch) that unmistakable in-between-position quack.

The original black-bottom pickups read 6.77KΩ at the bridge, 6.62KΩ in the middle, and 6.27KΩ at the neck: the perfect combination of character and overall balance. The electronics are completely original, including the cloth wiring and three Stackpole potentiometers with 304-6207 date codes. The original Kluson Deluxe tuners, synchronized tremolo, knobs, and strap buttons remain in place as well.

This guitar was purchased in Toronto Ontario in 1962 and we purchased it recently in Niagara Falls. It belonged to the uncle of the woman we bought it from. She stipulated that we meet at a casino in Niagara Falls so that she and her friend could gamble some of the money we paid her for the guitar. I never found out if she lost any of that money. 

This Stratocaster comes complete with its original blonde hardshell case, tremolo arm, and leather strap.

Specifications

All components original

Model & Year

• Model: Fender Stratocaster
• Year of manufacture: 1962
• Serial Number: 78057
• Weight: 7lbs 10oz

Body

• Material: Alder
• Finish: 3-tone sunburst nitrocellulose lacquer

Neck

• Pencil Date: 1-62
• Material & Construction: Maple, 4-bolt
• Fretboard: Rosewood slab
• Profile shape: Medium C
• Nut Width: 1.64"
• Neck Depth
  • 1st: .84"
  • 5th: .88"
  • 12th: .97" 
• Inlays: Clay dots
• Frets: Original
• Headstock: Spaghetti logo
• Tuners: Kluson Deluxe (single-line)

Hardware

• Bridge / Tailpiece: Synchronized tremolo
• Pickguard: Mint-green 3-ply with shielding
• Knobs: Original 
• Strap buttons: Original

Electronics

• Pickups: Original black-bottoms
• Impedance / DCR readings
  • Bridge: 6.77KΩ
  • Middle: 6.62KΩ
  • Neck: 6.27KΩ
• Potentiometers 
  • Volume: Stackpole 250K Audio Taper (304-6207)
  • Neck Tone: Stackpole

• • 250K Audio Taper

• • (304-6207)

• • Middle Tone: Stackpole

• • 250K Audio Taper

• • (304-6207)
• Wiring: Cloth-bound 
• Switch: CRL 1452 (3-way)

Condition

• Cosmetic: Excellent with below average wear 
• Structural: Excellent with no breaks or repairs
• Accessories: Original blonde hardshell case, tremolo arm, and leather strap