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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

What kind of tones can I expect from the Fender 1965 Stratocaster Fiesta Red?

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.

What is the neck profile of the Fender 1965 Stratocaster Fiesta Red?

The 1965 Stratocaster typically features a "C" shaped neck profile, offering comfortable playability and smooth action, suitable for both rhythm and lead playing.

Is the Fender 1965 Stratocaster Fiesta Red suitable for beginners?

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.

How does the tremolo bridge on the Fender 1965 Stratocaster Fiesta Red affect playability?

The tremolo bridge allows for pitch modulation and expressive playing, perfect for adding vibrato effects to your performance while maintaining tuning stability.

What is the fretboard material of the Fender 1965 Stratocaster Fiesta Red?

The fretboard of the Fender 1965 Stratocaster Fiesta Red is made of rosewood, which provides a warm tone and smooth playing surface.

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Show and Tell with Joe Bonamassa's 1965 Fender Stratocaster at Norman's Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for Show and Tell with Joe Bonamassa's 1965 Fender Stratocaster at Norman's Rare Guitars by Normans Rare Guitars

Show and Tell with Joe Bonamassa's 1965 Fender Stratocaster at Norman's Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for Guitar of the Day: 1965 Fender Stratocaster | Guest Host: Joe Bonamassa by Normans Rare Guitars

Guitar of the Day: 1965 Fender Stratocaster | Guest Host: Joe Bonamassa

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for Vintage 1965 Fender Stratocaster  •  Wildwood Guitars by Wildwood Guitars

Vintage 1965 Fender Stratocaster • Wildwood Guitars

Wildwood Guitars

Wildwood Guitars

Video thumbnail for Fender 1965 Stratocaster Sunburst | Guitar of the Day by Normans Rare Guitars

Fender 1965 Stratocaster Sunburst | Guitar of the Day

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1965 Fender Stratocaster Sunburst | Guitar of the Day by Normans Rare Guitars

1965 Fender Stratocaster Sunburst | Guitar of the Day

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1965 Fender Stratocaster L-Series by Know Your Vintage Guitars

1965 Fender Stratocaster L-Series

Know Your Vintage Guitars

Know Your Vintage Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1965 Fender Stratocaster Tones ! by Anand Mahangoe

1965 Fender Stratocaster Tones !

Anand Mahangoe

Anand Mahangoe

Video thumbnail for Fender Stratocaster 1965 specs fiesta red presented by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg and Tobias Hoffmann by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Fender Stratocaster 1965 specs fiesta red presented by Vintage Guitar Oldenburg and Tobias Hoffmann

Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

Vintage Guitar Oldenburg

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

  • The 1965 American Vintage II Fender neck features a nitro finish, enhancing its authentic vintage appearance and feel.

    Source
  • 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

  • The thick and woody sound is attributed to the Pure Vintage '65 Fender Custom Shop pickups, providing a distinct vintage tone.

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  • The '62 Super Faded Aged model is praised for its Poblano pickups, which users find impressive for their tonal qualities.

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Comparisons

  • 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

  • Lollar 64s, previously known as Blackface pickups, are a recommended upgrade for those unsatisfied with the stock electronics in their '62 models.

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  • The guitar features a modified setup with Noiseless pickups and a push-push switch to bypass the MDX preamp.

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Value and pricing

  • 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

  • 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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Use cases and applications

  • The guitar evokes a 1950s/60s vibe reminiscent of "The Shadows" and Hank Marvin, appealing to enthusiasts of that era's music style.

    Source

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Artist usage

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See how Yoshio Nomura uses Fender 1965 Stratocaster

Yoshio Nomura

Guitarist

...
Verified via DgmMag

(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.

See how Kazuki Washiyama uses Fender 1965 Stratocaster

Kazuki Washiyama

Singer, Guitarist

Suspended 4th

...
Verified via YouTube
Color/Finish: 3 Tone Sunburst Year: 1965

In the YouTube video titled "Fender Stratocaster 1965," Kazuki Washiyama is seen playing a Fender 1965 Stratocaster, as documented by the video uploaded by Kazuki on his channel.

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 1965 Stratocaster, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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