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Average Price: $9,530
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Description
Step back into the golden era of rock with the Fender 1965 Stratocaster, a symbol of musical innovation and craftsmanship that transcends time. This guitar is more than just a piece of history; it's a portal to the vibrant sounds of the '60s that shaped music as we know it. Forged in a year of significant transition for Fender, this Stratocaster showcases the larger headstock, a distinctive feature of its era, marking the dawn of mass production under CBS's new stewardship.
The 1965 model comes with a sleek Alder body and a Maple neck adorned with a veneer Rosewood fingerboard. This combination ensures a balanced tone, resonating with warmth and clarity. The guitar's design is completed with three single-coil pickups and a 3-way pickup selector, allowing you to effortlessly glide from one iconic sound to another. Whether you're channeling the raw energy of Jimi Hendrix or the smooth licks of Eric Clapton, this Stratocaster delivers a versatile sonic palette.
Its charm is not just in the sound but in the feel of the instrument—the bolt-on neck and pearloid dot inlays provide a comfortable playing experience, while the subtle body contouring enhances playability. The 1965 Stratocaster is not just a guitar; it's a testament to a revolutionary year in music history, capturing the essence of rock legends and inspiring the next generation of musicians.
Key Features:
- Alder body with Maple neck and veneer Rosewood fingerboard
- Larger headstock unique to the 1965 model
- Three single-coil pickups with a 3-way selector
- Bolt-on neck construction with pearloid dot inlays
- Iconic design elements from the CBS transition era
Product specs
| Brand | Fender |
| Model | Stratocaster |
| Finish | Black, Blonde, Candy Apple Red, Daphne Blue, Fiesta Red, Firemist Gold, Ice Blue Metallic, Inca Silver, Lake Placid Blue, Ocean Turquoise Metallic, Olympic White, Shoreline Gold, Sonic Blue, Sunburst, Teal Green Metallic |
| Year | 1965 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Solid Body Electric Guitars |
| Body Shape | S-Style |
| Body Type | Solid Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Tremolo Bridge |
| Color Family | Black, Blue, Brown, Gold, Red, Silver, Teal, White, Yellow |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Finish Style | Gloss, Metallic |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| 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 |
FAQs
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What kind of tones can I expect from the Fender 1965 Stratocaster Fiesta Red?
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The Fender 1965 Stratocaster Fiesta Red is known for its bright, clear tones with a bell-like chime, thanks to its single-coil pickups. It's versatile for genres like rock, blues, and surf.
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What is the neck profile of the Fender 1965 Stratocaster Fiesta Red?
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The 1965 Stratocaster typically features a "C" shaped neck profile, offering comfortable playability and smooth action, suitable for both rhythm and lead playing.
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Is the Fender 1965 Stratocaster Fiesta Red suitable for beginners?
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While the 1965 Stratocaster is a high-quality instrument with vintage appeal, its value and historical significance might make it more suitable for experienced players and collectors.
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How does the tremolo bridge on the Fender 1965 Stratocaster Fiesta Red affect playability?
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The tremolo bridge allows for pitch modulation and expressive playing, perfect for adding vibrato effects to your performance while maintaining tuning stability.
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What is the fretboard material of the Fender 1965 Stratocaster Fiesta Red?
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The fretboard of the Fender 1965 Stratocaster Fiesta Red is made of rosewood, which provides a warm tone and smooth playing surface.
Videos
Normans Rare Guitars
Show and Tell with Joe Bonamassa's 1965 Fender Stratocaster at Norman's Rare Guitars
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender 1965 Stratocaster.
Build quality
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The 1965 American Vintage II Fender neck features a nitro finish, enhancing its authentic vintage appearance and feel.
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Owners appreciate the realistic patina on relic'd pickguards, likening them to authentic aged pickguards from the 1960s.
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Some owners report the AVRI necks have a heavily applied gloss finish, which can feel like plastic, suggesting a luthier's touch to sand it down for better playability.
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Features and functionality
Comparisons
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Black nitrocellulose finishes appear duller and more worn compared to standard black poly finishes, offering a more vintage aesthetic.
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The '64 Strat stands out with its massive neck, reminiscent of a '58 Les Paul, offering a distinct playing experience compared to the smaller '62 neck.
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This model's golden hardware and 50's V neck profile are unique, as affordable Fenders with such features are now rare, mostly seen in USA reissues and custom shops.
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Mods and upgrades
Value and pricing
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Custom orders from Fender, especially for 1 of 1 builds, are typically more expensive due to the tailored service compared to off-the-shelf models.
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User experience
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The Super Faded Aged model's neck finish, which is sanded off, is often preferred over the standard worn finish for a smoother feel during play.
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Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings
Artist usage
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(English translation of article) This is the most important guitar to Nomura, who says he wants to take it to his grave. Since he got it in the 1990s, he used it almost exclusively for his early solo activities, but since then, he has rarely used it on stage, and now he only plays it at home. However, from his statement that "Whenever I get a new amp, I try connecting this guitar. It may be the standard for my sound," you can see his extraordinary love and trust for this guitar. The small head, transition logo, pearloid dot position marks, and PVC pickguard that is resistant to discoloration, all of which are specs unique to a 1965 model, can be seen on this guitar. The custom color Fiesta Red has changed over the years to a unique, slightly orange hue, and combined with the white surfacer and wood visible through the scratches, it has a powerful appearance that will surely captivate any vintage guitar lover.
Genre Usage
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Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender 1965 Stratocaster, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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