1965 Fender Stratocaster Firemist Gold
Among the finest vintage Fender Stratocasters to have come through our shop, this 1965 Strat in its original Firemist Gold finish is quite the showstopper.
The history of custom colours on Fender instruments dates to the early 1950s. While examples from that period are exceptionally rare, Fender's custom-colour program truly took shape in 1956, when the company announced that Stratocaster, Telecaster, Esquire, and Precision Bass models could be ordered in Custom DuPont Ducco finishes for a modest additional charge. As demand grew, Fender saw the need for a more succinct colour catalog and introduced its first official custom-colour chart in July 1961, featuring a selection of solid and metallic finishes, including the elegant Shoreline Gold. In early 1965, Shoreline Gold was replaced by the richer, warmer Firemist Gold.
This Firemist Gold Stratocaster is likely among the earliest examples finished in Fender's newly introduced colour. Carrying a December 1964 L-series serial number, first-week 1965 potentiometer codes, and pickups dated to the 22nd week of January, this guitar was built just as the sale of Fender to CBS was being finalized. The ink was barely dry on the deal when this Stratocaster left the Fullerton factory.
Aside from its new Firemist Gold finish, the guitar exhibits remarkably few features that distinguish it from late-1964 production. The only notable departure is its white three-ply plastic pickguard, replacing the celluloid nitrate guards used from 1959 through 1964. In virtually every other respect, this remains a quintessential pre-CBS Stratocaster built during one of the most fascinating transition periods in Fender's history.
A completely original and beautifully preserved guitar, this custom-color Stratocaster is a remarkably impressive instrument. The original Firemist Gold finish is in excellent condition and shows minor signs of playwear. Light dents and chips can be found throughout the finish, and there are minor indentations on the back from a belt buckle. The finish on the back of the neck has aged beautifully over the last six decades, giving the guitar a wonderfully worn in and natural feel. The "transition" Fender decal is in good condition overall, with light flaking in areas. The original frets have plenty of life left in them and perform very well with light wear throughout. A single solder joint connecting the ground wire from the tremolo claw to the volume pot may have been touched up in the guitar's past, but the electronics are all original and unmodified.
The trio of original grey-bobbin pickups sound wonderful, offering a rich and clear response from the bridge, balanced and open tones from the middle, and a warm voice with excellent articulation from the neck. Set-up in house, the guitar performs beautifully with string action measuring 4-5/64ths of an inch at the 12th fret.
Complete with its original case and strap, this 1965 Fender Stratocaster finished in Firemist Gold is an incredible package. It's a wonderful example of a custom-color Strat from the tail-end of Fender's golden-era, and sure to be the crowned jewel of any collection.
Pickup DC values of 5.9k in the bridge, 6.1k in the middle, and 6.4k in the neck. Scale length of 25.5". First fret depth is 0.839", twelfth fret depth is 0.980", and the nut width of 1-5/8". Weight of 8lbs 4oz.
With original hardshell case.
The history of custom colours on Fender instruments dates to the early 1950s. While examples from that period are exceptionally rare, Fender's custom-colour program truly took shape in 1956, when the company announced that Stratocaster, Telecaster, Esquire, and Precision Bass models could be ordered in Custom DuPont Ducco finishes for a modest additional charge. As demand grew, Fender saw the need for a more succinct colour catalog and introduced its first official custom-colour chart in July 1961, featuring a selection of solid and metallic finishes, including the elegant Shoreline Gold. In early 1965, Shoreline Gold was replaced by the richer, warmer Firemist Gold.
This Firemist Gold Stratocaster is likely among the earliest examples finished in Fender's newly introduced colour. Carrying a December 1964 L-series serial number, first-week 1965 potentiometer codes, and pickups dated to the 22nd week of January, this guitar was built just as the sale of Fender to CBS was being finalized. The ink was barely dry on the deal when this Stratocaster left the Fullerton factory.
Aside from its new Firemist Gold finish, the guitar exhibits remarkably few features that distinguish it from late-1964 production. The only notable departure is its white three-ply plastic pickguard, replacing the celluloid nitrate guards used from 1959 through 1964. In virtually every other respect, this remains a quintessential pre-CBS Stratocaster built during one of the most fascinating transition periods in Fender's history.
A completely original and beautifully preserved guitar, this custom-color Stratocaster is a remarkably impressive instrument. The original Firemist Gold finish is in excellent condition and shows minor signs of playwear. Light dents and chips can be found throughout the finish, and there are minor indentations on the back from a belt buckle. The finish on the back of the neck has aged beautifully over the last six decades, giving the guitar a wonderfully worn in and natural feel. The "transition" Fender decal is in good condition overall, with light flaking in areas. The original frets have plenty of life left in them and perform very well with light wear throughout. A single solder joint connecting the ground wire from the tremolo claw to the volume pot may have been touched up in the guitar's past, but the electronics are all original and unmodified.
The trio of original grey-bobbin pickups sound wonderful, offering a rich and clear response from the bridge, balanced and open tones from the middle, and a warm voice with excellent articulation from the neck. Set-up in house, the guitar performs beautifully with string action measuring 4-5/64ths of an inch at the 12th fret.
Complete with its original case and strap, this 1965 Fender Stratocaster finished in Firemist Gold is an incredible package. It's a wonderful example of a custom-color Strat from the tail-end of Fender's golden-era, and sure to be the crowned jewel of any collection.
Pickup DC values of 5.9k in the bridge, 6.1k in the middle, and 6.4k in the neck. Scale length of 25.5". First fret depth is 0.839", twelfth fret depth is 0.980", and the nut width of 1-5/8". Weight of 8lbs 4oz.
With original hardshell case.