1969 Fender Stratocaster

1969 Fender Stratocaster Black

Serial # 257518

Condition: Very Good

Upgrades / modifications:

• Later added correct parts are; bridge pickup cover, volume & tone knobs, tremolo arm incl. switch tip, tremolo backplate & 1 of its screws, see blacklight pics.

Additional information about the pot factory code 805 226 603:

• The code 805 226 603 isn’t standard for Fender or EIA dating systems, and is probably an internal identifier, which doesn’t necessarily confirm or deny Fender origin on its own – see pics.

Update: the black vintage Fender case with orange plush interior – CBS era – is included.

History:

Aluminum Shielding and its transition to the tape; for many years, Fender used aluminum shielding in the guitar’s control cavities to help reduce electrical noise, in mid-1969, Fender began phasing out the aluminum shields and started using a metallic shielding tape. The tape served the same purpose as the aluminum shield – to minimize unwanted noise and interference in the guitar’s electronics.

Description:

Solid alder body- Black nitro-laquer finish is gorgeous and still glossy, overal in very good condition, some wear is visible, slight dings and scratches, in particular on the upper part where the arm strips the guitar, and on the back of the body, above the tremolo pocket are some buckle-rash and quiet some scratches visible in the finish, see pics.

This model includes a maple neck, dated to 22 May 69 B, with a rosewood fretboard, and original frets in still good shape, offering a smooth playing experience and a warm, rounded tone. The neck has a comfortable medium C-shaped profile, which was characteristic of Fender guitars from that period, making it easy to play, the large headstock is in perfect condition and the black Fender decal is clean.

The 3 ply white pickguard with pearloid underside is equipped with three grey bottom single-coils, the pickups are controlled by a three-way selector switch, along with master volume and two tone knobs, providing a range of sonic options from sharp, twangy leads to mellow rhythms. 

In mid-1969 Fender began phasing out the aluminum shields and started using a metallic shielding tape, that is the case here.

Potentiometer codes read 805 226 503 / CTS 1376618 and are dated to 18th week of 1966.

• The code 805 226 503 isn’t standard for Fender or EIA dating systems, and is probably an internal identifier, which doesn’t necessarily confirm or deny Fender origin on its own.

The grey-bobbin pickups read 9319 (neck & middle) and are dated to 31th week of 1969 (July 28-Aug 3) and 9509 (bridge) dated to the 50th week of 1969 (December 8-14).

The white wire is the HOT coming from the jack, that is correct, since, in this era, there are several wires used, Cloth, Thin and Thick plastic wires, the White do not age equally.

The hardware includes the original vintage-style synchronized tremolo chrome bridge incl. the original cold hard rolled steel made saddles.

Black vintage Fender case with orange plush interior from the mid ’60s – CBS era.

Specifications:

Body:

• Solid alder body in factory original custom color Black

Neck:

• 1-piece maple-neck w/medium C profile
• Rosewood veneer fretboard with 21 frets pearloid dot inlays
• Original frets in good condition
• Radius 7.25″
• Neck depth is 88″ at 1st fret / 92″ at 12th fret
• Nut width is 1.610” or 4.10 cm
• Scale length is 25 1/2″

Electronics:

• Grey-bobbin pickups read 9319 (neck & middle) and are dated to 31th week of 1969 (July 28- Aug 3) and 9509 (bridge) dated to the 50th week of 1969 (December 8- 14).
• Pickup Measurements = neck 4.75k / middle 5.63k / bridge 6.30k
• Potentiometer date codes read (CTS) 1376618 and are dated to 18th week of 1966
• 3-way switch

Hardware & plastics:

• White 3-ply pickguard
• Volume and tone knobs
• Switch-tip
• Tremolo arm
• 6x Fender “F” tuner
• Fender “synchronized” tremolo w/6x “Pat.nr.stamped” steel-saddles
• Ashtray bridge cover (chrome)

Miscellaneous:

Weight; 3.555 kg / 7.840 lbs

Black vintage Fender case with orange plush interior from the mid ’60s – CBS era.

All guitars are professionally inspected and set up, ensuring optimal playability and performance.

* Manufacturing date codes and interior pics are available per request: e-mail