Hows about this stunning early example Candy Apple Red Electric XII from 1965?

Joe Bailon, an famous car customiser who worked on cars for Zsa Zsa Gabor and Dean Martin and is and inductee in the National Rod & Custom Museum Hall of Fame, is first credits with creating Candy Apple Red in the early 50s. It was popular with hot-rodders for its deep colour and the way the metallic paint layer reflected the light. It first appeared on the Fender colour charts in 1963 and it quickly became one of their most popular colour choices.

Candy Apple Red is one of our favourite custom colours here at ATB Guitars and this one is exemplary. The dictionary definition of a red over gold candy apple finish, its been expertly applied (not always the case) so that the red is translucent enough to let the gold sparkle underneath catch the light and give the finish a stunning depth. Added to this is the checking which gives it further movement. There are a few minor dings but nothing to serious.

The neck too has retained the gloss finish with very little wear. The headstock has some wear to the back but the face is in good condition as is the logo. The fretboard and frets are in great condition.

The hardware shows very little signs of wear. As this is and early example, this guitar was fitted with Kluson tuners before Fender moved to their ‘F’ logo tuners. These are in great shape as you’d expect.

The plastics too are fantastic. The white plastic pickguard, introduced by Fender across all ranges in late 1964, is essentially scratch free and another pointer to the care thats been taken over this guitar. As this is an early example there aren’t any position markers for the four way switch, this was a later addition. 

Electronically everything looks to be correct and all the solder joints are undisturbed.

The guitar comes with its correct Fender black tolex, no logo case which in itself is a rare find as these were only manufactured for a few months between 1964 and early 1965. The case itself is in great conditon.

There is a good reason why this guitar was the go to studio 12 string when it was introduced. The feel of the neck and the action are just a joy and the instrument has such vibrant tone when played acoustically. The tonal scope offered by the split coil pickups is always surprising, making the job of coaxing out a variety of lush sounds a dream.

This is a stunning example of the Candy Apple Red custom colour Electric XII, one of the better ones we’ve seen. If you’ve been hankering after one or are in the market for something different you can’t go wrong with this one. It plays as good as it looks. Grab it before it gets away.