1966 Fender Stratocaster Sunburst

Exceptional Original 1966 Stratocaster with Factory Finish Correction "DMR"

This 1966 Fender Stratocaster in original 3-tone Sunburst is a wonderful example of a mid-'60s Stratocaster, retaining its original electronics, pickups, plastics and hardware.

The guitar features a comfortable medium C-shaped maple neck with rosewood veneer fingerboard, pearloid dot inlays, original nickel Kluson Deluxe tuners, large headstock with transition gold decal and F-series neck plate.

The original grey-bottom Fender pickups are dated November 30, 1966, while the original Stackpole potentiometers date to the 8th week of 1966.

The instrument is in very good condition, with normal age-related finish wear and checking consistent with a guitar of this period.

Highlights

• 1966 Fender Stratocaster
• Original 3-tone Sunburst nitrocellulose finish
• Original electronics and wiring
• Original grey-bottom Fender pickups
• Pickup date: November 30, 1966
• Original Stackpole potentiometers
• Pot date: 8th week of 1966
• Medium C-shaped maple neck
• Rosewood veneer fingerboard
• Pearloid dot inlays
• Original nickel Kluson Deluxe tuners
• Original three-ply white pickguard
• Original knobs, switch tip, tremolo tip, arm and springs
• Original Fender synchronized tremolo
• Original steel saddles
• Professionally refretted with new vintage-correct bone nut
• Original nut included
• Weight: 3.535 kg / 7.793 lbs
• Original black Polverini hard-shell case
• Original key, vintage cable, vintage Darco strings and woven strap
• DMR - factory finish correction
• Sold originally in Italy / European market

Original Grey-Bottom Pickups

The guitar retains its three original grey-bottom Fender single-coil pickups, dated 11-30-66.

Pickup measurements:

• Neck: 5.70k
• Middle: 5.75k
• Bridge: 5.80k

The combination of original pickups and original electronics provides the unmistakable character of a genuine mid-'60s Stratocaster.

Original Electronics

All electronics remain original.

The original Stackpole potentiometers carry codes:

250K 035-865 / AUD304-6608

and are dated to the 8th week of 1966.

One solder joint on one of the potentiometers has been professionally freshened up. This is clearly visible in the detailed solder-joint photographs.

Apart from this minor service work, the electronics, pickups and wiring remain original.

DMR — Documented Fender Factory Finish Correction

An especially interesting detail of this Stratocaster is the handwritten “DMR”marking in red inside the pickup cavity.

This marking indicates a color and lacquer correction along the lower edge of the back of the body. According to the history of the instrument, this work was carried out by a Fender employee at the time and is therefore considered part of the guitar's factory history.

The correction is only visible under blacklight and is documented in the accompanying photographs.

This type of marking is rarely encountered on Fender guitars sold in the US, while examples with this kind of declaration are known from instruments shipped to the European export market.

This particular Stratocaster was originally sold in Italy.

Original Hardware & Plastics

The guitar retains its original hardware and plastics, including:

• Original white three-ply pickguard
• Original volume and tone knobs
• Original switch tip
• Original tremolo tip
• Original tremolo arm
• Original tremolo springs
• Original nickel Kluson Deluxe tuners
• Original Fender synchronized tremolo
• Original patent-number-stamped steel saddles

Neck & Playability

The maple neck has a comfortable medium C profile with a rosewood veneer fingerboard and 21 pearloid dot-marker frets.

The guitar has received a professionally executed refret and new vintage-correct bone nut, carried out by luthier Enrico Crippa of Sound City Guitar Repair, Piacenza, Italy.

The original nut is included with the guitar.

The work was performed to a high professional standard and the instrument has subsequently received a complete setup.

Neck specifications:

• 1-piece maple neck
• Medium C profile
• Rosewood veneer fingerboard
• 21 frets
• Pearloid dot inlays
• 7.25" radius
• Nut width: 1.610" / 4.10 cm
• Scale length: 25.5"
• Neck depth: approximately .85" at 1st fret / .89" at 12th fret

Tone

This Stratocaster has the kind of response vintage Fender players look for — bright, clear and articulate, with the characteristic "quack" of the three single-coil pickup configuration.

The original grey-bottom pickups deliver plenty of clarity and definition, with a bell-like chime and excellent articulation.

It is a highly resonant instrument with the lively response and musical character associated with a great vintage Stratocaster.

Condition

The guitar is in very good condition, with normal signs of age, playing and use.

The original finish shows natural wear and checking consistent with its age.

The DMR finish correction mentioned above is only visible under blacklight and does not detract from the overall appearance of the instrument.

Please study all photographs carefully for a detailed representation of the guitar's condition.

Original Polverini Case & Accessories

The guitar comes with its original black Polverini hard-shell case with red interior, which remains in very nice condition.

One case latch is missing.

Also included:

• Original case key
• Vintage Darco Selec-Gauge Light Plain Funky Strings
• Original black coiled vintage cable
• Green woven vintage-style strap

Specifications

Body

• Solid alder body
• Original 3-tone Sunburst finish
• Nitrocellulose finish

Neck

• 1-piece maple neck
• Medium C profile
• Rosewood veneer fingerboard
• 21 frets
• Pearloid dot inlays
• 7.25" radius

Electronics

• 3 × original grey-bottom Fender single-coil pickups
• Pickup date: 11-30-66
• Pickup readings: N 5.70k / M 5.75k / B 5.80k
• Original Stackpole potentiometers
• Pot date: 8th week of 1966
• 3-position switch

Hardware

• 6 × original nickel Kluson Deluxe tuners
• Fender synchronized tremolo
• 6 × original patent-number-stamped steel saddles
• Original pickguard and plastics

Miscellaneous

• Weight: 3.535 kg / 7.793 lbs
• Original Polverini hard-shell case
• Original case key
• Vintage cable
• Vintage Darco strings
• Woven strap

Professional Inspection & Setup

As with all guitars offered by us, this 1966 Fender Stratocaster has been professionally inspected and set up to ensure excellent playability and performance.

Manufacturing date codes and detailed interior photographs are available upon request by e-mail

Safe & Secure Shipping Worldwide

We carefully pack every order to make sure your Fandango Guitars products arrive safely and securely, wherever you are in the world.

International Shipping

For orders shipped outside Switzerland, local VAT, customs duties, import taxes, or other fees may apply depending on the destination country.

These charges are determined by the local authorities and are not included in the product price or our standard shipping costs. Any such charges must be paid by the customer directly to the relevant customs authority or shipping service.

Because these costs can vary from country to country, we recommend checking your local import regulations before placing your order.

USA Shipping

For US orders with a value of up to US$2,500, we ship with Postal Delivered Duty Paid (PDDP) through Swiss Post.

The applicable PDDP costs are added to the product price for US customers only. To receive the correct final price, please contact us before checkout, and we will calculate the additional costs for you.

With PDDP, we take care of the applicable import and administration costs in advance, so you won't receive an additional PDDP charge upon delivery.

For orders over US$2,500, PDDP does not apply. The applicable US customs duties and fees will be billed directly to the US customer by US Customs.