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Average Price: $24,032
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$400
$1001+
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Description
Step into a timeless era with the Fender Stratocaster 1962, a masterpiece that has been a cornerstone in the evolution of modern music. This iconic instrument has resonated through the soulful riffs of Buddy Holly, the revolutionary sounds of Jimi Hendrix, and the electrifying performances of Stevie Ray Vaughn. As one of the most revered models in guitar history, the 1962 Stratocaster embodies the perfect blend of vintage charm and enduring quality.
Crafted with an Alder body and Maple neck, this guitar offers a balanced tonal character that is both versatile and expressive. The Rosewood fingerboard, whether the earlier "slab" style or the year's unique "veneer" variation, provides a smooth and responsive playing surface. The Stratocaster's design is enhanced by its offset solid body, bolt-on neck, and classic 3-ply pickguard. Its three single-coil pickups and 5-way pickup selector allow for a wide range of tones, from bright and cutting to warm and mellow, making it suitable for virtually any genre.
This 1962 model also marks a shift in manufacturing details, such as the transition from a penciled to a stamped date on the butt of the neck, adding to its collectible value. Available in the classic sunburst finish, this guitar is not just an instrument—it's a piece of history that continues to inspire musicians around the world.
Key Features:
- Alder body with Maple neck
- Rosewood fingerboard with slab or veneer style
- Offset solid body design
- Bolt-on neck for increased stability
- Three single-coil pickups with 5-way pickup selector
- Standard sunburst finish
- Historical significance with iconic players
Product specs
| Brand | Fender |
| Model | Stratocaster |
| Finish | Blonde, Candy Apple Red, Dakota Red, Fiesta Red, Olympic White, Sonic Blue, Sunburst |
| Year | 1962 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Solid Body Electric Guitars |
| Body Material | Alder, Ash |
| Body Shape | S-Style |
| Body Type | Solid Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Tremolo Bridge |
| Color Family | Blue, Brown, Red, White, Yellow |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Finish Style | Gloss, Metallic |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Fretboard Radius | 7.25" |
| Model Family | Fender Stratocaster |
| Neck Construction | Bolt-On |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Number of Frets | 21 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Offset Body | Non-Offset Body |
| Pickup Configuration | SSS |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Scale Length | 25.5" |
| Series | Fender Vintage Pre-CBS Era |
| Wood Top Style | Opaque, Plain |
FAQs
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What is the neck profile like on the 1962 Fender Stratocaster?
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The 1962 Fender Stratocaster features a comfortable "C" shaped neck profile, which is ideal for players seeking a vintage feel with smooth playability. This neck shape accommodates a variety of playing styles, making it suitable for both rhythm and lead guitarists.
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What kind of tones can I expect from the 1962 Fender Stratocaster pickups?
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The 1962 Fender Stratocaster is equipped with American Vintage single-coil pickups, known for their bright, clear tones and bell-like chime. These pickups excel in delivering classic Strat sounds, perfect for genres like blues, rock, and surf music.
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Is the 1962 Fender Stratocaster suitable for beginners or advanced players?
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The 1962 Fender Stratocaster is best suited for intermediate to advanced players who appreciate vintage guitars and their unique tonal characteristics. Its historical significance and playability make it a prized choice for collectors and seasoned musicians.
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Does the 1962 Fender Stratocaster come with a tremolo bridge?
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Yes, the 1962 Fender Stratocaster features an original synchronized tremolo bridge, complete with an ashtray cover. This allows for expressive vibrato effects while maintaining tuning stability.
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What are the main body materials used in the 1962 Fender Stratocaster?
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The body of the 1962 Fender Stratocaster is crafted from alder or ash, depending on the finish. Alder provides a balanced tone with a slight emphasis on the midrange, while ash offers a brighter sound with pronounced highs.
Videos
Carter Vintage Guitars
1962 Fender Stratocaster played by Joey Landreth
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Stratocaster 1962.
Value and pricing
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Factory original Black 1962 Stratocasters are rare and highly valued, significantly affecting their market price if verified as original.
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Vintage Guitar magazine notes 1962 slab neck Strats in excellent condition can range from $28.5K to $37K, while player condition can drop values to around $27K.
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Refreshed '62 Strats with minor modifications can be 30-50% cheaper, offering the vintage neck feel and old lumber body weight without the premium price.
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Use cases and applications
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Owners with extensive collections find the 1962 Strat to be a versatile and fun guitar, especially for those with a history of gigging.
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Build quality
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Stratocasters from this era often have wear like buckle rash, indicating extensive use, but this also confirms their history as working instruments.
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User experience
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Owners emphasize the importance of verifying the originality of parts, such as finish and internals, to ensure authenticity and preserve value.
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Owners experience a profound sense of responsibility and inspiration from the guitar's heritage, enhancing emotional and musical connection.
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The tone is often described as warm and dark, reminiscent of tracks by Hendrix and Frusciante, attributed to the slab Brazilian Rosewood neck.
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It's observed that vintage pickups may develop unique tonal characteristics over time, not present when new, adding warmth and depth.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 6 Ratings
240
The most 'start' a start can be
If you want biting bridge tones, glassy smooth neck tones and all the twang and quack in between then this is the model to get. The neck is a nice comfortable C shape, the rosewood board is warms things up and the electronics all come together to make the most of things. This is a joy to play and analog with the vibroverb will also be on my favourites list.
41029
take it to an auction house... honestly, without provenance the signature sin't worth anything, but a 62 strat doesn't need to be signed by Pagey to be valuable. Seriously, this site is loaded with WORKING MUSICIANS, so few of us can afford this LOL. Its also kinda tacky to start an account just to sell it. Go have it authenticated by an auction house if you have provenance for the signature or reputable dealer if you can't prove Pagey signed it. Maybe take it to George Gruhn. he'll probably buy it off you for a very fair price or he'll broker a sale for you and take a cut. Either that or you can put it on Ebay, but I would think you're better off giving a dealer or auctioneer a cut than dealing with Ebay. People will be hassling you every 5 minutes for more detailed photos out of fear its a fake.
Artist usage
Add artist
In the "Show Me Your Soul" music video, John Frusciante can be seen playing a black Stratocaster, particularly visible at 0:23 and 3:50 during the solo. While the exact year of this guitar is uncertain, its features—such as the rosewood fretboard and smaller '50s-style headstock—suggest it is an early '60s model, possibly between 1959 and 1963.
Additionally, photos from a shoot with William Hames show Frusciante posing with a similar black Stratocaster. Although not confirmed to be the 1962 Fender Stratocaster Prized Black, the guitar closely resembles early '60s models. Despite limited information on this specific guitar, evidence from the video and photos indicate it is likely an early '60s Stratocaster.
John Lennon used a 1962 Fender Stratocaster in Sonic Blue during his time with The Beatles, as shown in a photo from Myrareguitars.
A Reverb listing for a 1962 Fender Stratocaster identifies this Daphne Blue example as being owned by Brian Setzer and describes it with a neck code of “2 Sep 62 B” along with period-correct Stratocaster specifications and finish details.
Blaster uses a reliced '62 Stratocaster Reissue in Sonic Blue, he has always used this particular guitar in their many gigs, He used it recently In the 19 East gig
“I can’t really even describe to you the moment I found that guitar.” “I was leaving with that guitar. Whether it cost $50,000, it was going out the door with me. I knew that I had found the instrument that I had been looking for my entire life. It was really magical.”
This guitar can be seen in the guitar collection video. It's placed there beside the 1960 Stratocaster which is also on Vince's Equipboard gear list.
"Don't worry about the buzz. My '62 Strat does the same acoustically but you never hear it when it's plugged in. I am sure you have a great guitar you can feel proud of." - Miller about his 1962 Fender Stratocaster.
Luther has a prized black ’62 Strat that became a victim of his performing excesses.
“I split it down the middle acting the fool,” he says, recounting the time he was standing on his own cord doing some fancy tricks, and the guitar body literally split in half. He has since had it repaired.
Album Usage
The Fender Stratocaster 1962 has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender Stratocaster 1962, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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