If this guitar was a Shakespeare play, it would be classed both as a romance and a tragedy - someone obviously loved this original custom colour Strat very much to keep it in the incredible condition it is in, but a tragedy in that very same, maybe somewhat obsessive romance, undoubtedly led to it's body being refinished... probably just to keep it looking perfect.

Yes, this is an original custom colour, slab board, Fender Stratocaster from 1961 which has had a body only refinish and it is probably the most 'original' refinished pre-CBS Strat we have seen.

It was more then likely either Olympic White or Fiesta Red (bits of the original paint are still in the neck pocket) and around 1969, according to the previous owner, the body was stripped, sanded and refinished in dark red poly with a nitro clearcoat. The rest of the guitar is totally original and is in fact quite amazing condition.

The neck has the original finish, original decal etc. All hardware is original, all original electrics, pickups pots etc and probably the best MINT condition mint green guard we have ever seen.

All the solder is intact and undisturbed apart from the wiring to the volume pot and trem claw - joints you need to disturb in order to do a refin.

There are various small marks and small dings in places including on the back of the neck, what looks like a stand burn - further evidence that this guitar has been sat in a stand for some time with someone admiring it.

The frets are original, they do have some wear but are still playable. The metal hardware is in exceptional condition with hardly any corrosion and the plastic is super clean, just like the amazing, totally crack free green guard.

This guitar has even featured in a book about the Stratocaster which is available on Amazon..!

1961 serial number, neck date of 10/61 and all 3 pots date to 34th week of 1961. Because this refin was done a very long time ago, the paint finish on the body glows just like an original one would under UV light however, you can tell by how thick it is and by the shade, it is not an original Fender job.

It plays real nice, it has a good weight of just 3.55Kg and I hear it has been used to great effect on some cool recordings. All three pickups are very strong and balanced and of course are 100% original, black bottom pre-CBS beauties that have never been out of this guitar.

Without a doubt one of THE finest Strat refins we have had here. It is a far cry from the many refins out there made from various parts, bodies and necks and I have total confidence this guitar, neck, hardware and electrics have been together since late 1961 when it left the Fullerton factory...

The condition of the original bits of this Strat are exceptional and If this custom colour Strat had not had it's body done, it would be worth more than 3x the price we are asking here...

As always, many internal pics are available to anyone seriously interested in this.