1965 marked the beginning of a major transition period for the Fender Company. On January 5th of that year, Leo Fender sold the company to the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), a move that brought about sweeping changes, ultimately resulting in a diminishing of the quality of their instruments by the decade’s close. The first major change to the Stratocaster came about as early as December of 1965, when its iconic headstock was enlarged to a size that was similar to the Jazzmaster’s. This shift away from the small headstock was the first of a number of changes made to the Strat’s design. For many collectors and players, the end of the small headstock Stratocasters marks the end of the model's golden-era of production. This particular example is among the last of the small-headstock Strats, and although it features pearloid dots, a modern logo, and an F neck plate, it presents largely as a pre-CBS spec model.

Among the finest examples of a mid-'60s Fender instrument that we have encountered, this late 1965 Fender Stratocaster is a beautifully preserved and completely original guitar that has been treated with a lot of care over the last 60 years. The untouched sunburst finish presents far above average condition, with a few minor chips, scratches and faint crazing throughout the only evidence of the instrument's age. A complete package, this Stratocaster retains its original case, hang tags, warranty card, polish cloth, and student-sized guitar strap. 

The trio of original and unmodified grey-bottom pickups deliver an excellent array of rich and dynamic Strat tones. Expect a wonderfully full-bodied and expressive response with excellent low-end bloom in the bridge position, warm and snappy attack in the middle, and robust voice with impressive note separation and power from the neck. We often find that clean vintage guitars aren't as good as those that have been heavily played, but this 1965 Fender Strat busts that myth and then some. 

With a comfortable C carve and factory original big frets, this guitar’s playability is excellent. The frets have been dressed and the guitar is beautifully set up. Weighing in at exactly 8lbs this Strat can comfortably be played for hours on end.

An excellent example of a Stratocaster from the end of the model's golden era, this collector's-grade 1965 Strat would be the perfect addition to any collection or studio arsenal. 

Neck date of Nov, 1965. Pots dated to the 49th week of 1965. First fret depth of 0.865”, twelfth fret depth of 0.905", 1-5/8" nut width. Pickup DC values of 5.90 K (neck), 5.66K (middle), and 6.16k (bridge).