Maybe you were not aware of this but during the years of 1963 and 1964 only, Fender made a few Stratocasters with a mahogany body. Not very many were ever made and in fact during the past 15 years or so, this is only the second one I have personally handled.

So what is the difference? it isn't really that much heavier in weight than the usual alder body ones, this one is 3.6Kg. What is the tone like? Well, it's without a doubt got more sustain, it is  also slightly darker overall but the highs seem clearer. It is different, that is probably a good way to describe it and very nice it is too... it still has the classic vintage Strat sound, but pleasingly different in some subtle ways.

This particular example has had a body only refinish in a really nice Daphne blue nitro, the previous owner told me it was originally Daphne blue from the factory. One tone pot (1966 date) plus the pickguard has also been replaced.

Neck date is April 1964, the volume pot and one of the tone pots are dated 4th week of 1964, the other tone pot was replaced 2 years later in 1966. No routes on this lovely mahogany body, neck is all original including finish but the decal is the slightly earlier '62 style version with 2 patent numbers. It also has good, playable frets. The 3 x early, original black bottom pickups, with original windings are evenly balanced and sound lovely - just as you would expect from this era of pre-CBS Strat.

Included is an original brown case which may or may not be original to this guitar, at worst it could only be a year or so older which is a good thing. One of the clasps has broken and most of the leather ends has worn away but it is structurally sound and protects the guitar well.

These are very rare indeed and do not come up that often. Last one I had did not hang around very long either. Some players prefer the sound of a mahogany body so when a genuine vintage pre-CBS one pops up it is quite a good day…