Fender USA VINTAGE Stratocaster '66 CandyAppleRed/R

Since its release in 1954, the Fender Stratocaster has remained a beloved model among guitarists worldwide. When people think of electric guitars, this is the shape that comes to mind for many.

This latest arrival is a rare 1966 Stratocaster with a large headstock and lacquer finish, sporting a stunning custom Candy Apple Red color. It's in player's condition, despite having undergone some modifications in the past.

【body】
The total weight is approximately 3.45kg. The body is made of alder and is painted in a beautiful Candy Apple Red color with a warm gold inner finish. There are traces of routing that suggests it was converted to a 2-humbucker setup, but these have now been neatly filled. There are screw holes for the neck joint that suggest it was previously used with a different neck, but they are not visible from the outside. There is some paint chipping near the elbow on the side of the body, dents from a belt buckle, and tarnishing on the metal parts, but the paint itself has a good sheen, and it can be said to be in relatively good condition, while still having the feel of a vintage guitar. The switch knob and pickguard have been replaced, and the original pickguard is included, although it is currently cracked.

【neck】
The neck is made of maple and the fingerboard is made of rosewood. The large headstock with a lacquer finish still has the gold Transition logo clearly visible. There is weather checking on both the front and back of the headstock, which is appropriate for its age. The back of the neck has scratches and some minor gouges and paint peeling, mainly around the 1st and 2nd frets, but like the body, it is in good condition with a nice vintage feel. The tuners are original Kluson Deluxe, and although there is some inconsistency in the winding tension, they function properly. The frets and nut have been replaced and show almost no wear, resulting in good playability. The headstock thickness is 16.7mm. The nut width is 40.5mm. It features a relatively clean neck shape.

[Electrical System]
The controls are in the orthodox Stratocaster style: pickup selector switch, master volume, neck (front) position tone, and center position tone. The selector switch has been replaced with an easy-to-use 5-way switch. The pickups are gray bobbins with a confirmed 1966 date, and all parts, including the control system (excluding the switch), have been kept in their original condition.

This Stratocaster boasts an all-lacquer finish and a large headstock, offering a speedy and sharp attack characteristic of early models, along with a well-balanced tone across the low to high frequencies. Clean sounds provide clear definition for each note, cutting sounds crisp and articulate, and mixed pickup tones deliver the light and three-dimensional tone unique to Stratocasters. The neck position delivers a thick and lustrous yet clear tone, while the bridge position produces a bright and focused sound. This expressive and easy-to-handle Stratocaster is perfectly suited to the diverse musical scenes of the time, including rock, blues, funk, and pop.

Included case: Fender black Tolex hard case

Weight: 3.45kg
Body Material: Alder
Neck Material/Scale: Maple 1 piece/648mm (25-1/2inch)
Fingerboard/Fret Marker/Radius: Rosewood round laminate/Pearl dot/184.15mm (7.25inch)
Nut Width/Fret Size (width): 40.5mm (replaced)/2.4mm (replaced), 21F
Neck Thickness (1F/7F/12F): 20.7mm/21.7mm/22.4mm
Capacitor: SK Red Dime 50V
Pickup (Neck/Center/Bridge): Fender Stratocaster Gray Bobbin Staggard polepiece (7.3kΩ/5.8kΩ/7.4kΩ)
*The DC resistance value of the pickup is measured through the control section.

Heartman Vintage Guitars is a specialty store for vintage guitars and basses operated by Ikebe Musical Instruments.