Fender 1963 Stratocaster "Sparkling Blue Re-Finish"

Product Description

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A 1963 Fender Stratocaster "Sparkling Blue Re-Finish" has arrived in stock


Although Fender produced a small number of custom-colored guitars on a made-to-order basis even before the Custom Color Chart was introduced in the 1960s, guitars with special colors have continued to exist even after the chart was introduced.
Particularly famous are guitars with a sparkle finish, which come in a variety of colors.

The sparkle finish is applied using metal flakes that are significantly larger than those used in standard metallic finishes. It is speculated that this is due to differences in the size of spray gun nozzles and issues with cleaning the spray booth after application; It is said that, since the area around the Fender factory in Fullerton, California, at the time was dotted with many auto repair shops, the painting was outsourced to auto body shops using their spray booths.

Regarding the original guitars, it is said that there were various patterns—similar to the “Color” finish—depending on whether a guitar that had already been sold to a customer was repainted (there were even bands that had all their members’ Fender guitars repainted with the “Sparkle” finish) or whether a brand-new, finished guitar was repainted; some were painted directly onto the bare wood before the finish was applied. this makes it extremely difficult to determine whether a Sparkle finish was applied at the request of the Fender factory or whether it was a repaint done entirely independently of the factory.

The guitar we’ve received this time is a ’63 Stratocaster!
It features a “Sparkling Blue Finish” with a blue base sprinkled with silver metallic flakes.

Externally, the paint job itself appears to be from an earlier era, consistent with the guitar’s age, and the letters “BS” are branded into the inside of the body using a soldering iron. This is similar to one of the methods used when the Fender Factory performed repainting (1960s catalogs stated that they accepted requests from customers to repaint their guitars in colors from the color chart)

As for the specifications, the pickups are original Black Bobbin pickups with a pot date of 1963, and the other major parts are also original. However, it appears that different tuning pegs were installed at one point; they have now been replaced with the original Kluson pegs. Additionally, the frets and nut have been replaced, so the instrument is in good condition with excellent playability.

As mentioned above, it is difficult to authenticate a “Sparkle” finish, and unfortunately, we have not been able to confirm the authenticity of this particular guitar. In the U.S., fully original guitars in excellent condition are currently selling for over $100,000, but we have set the price for this particular guitar with the possibility of a refinish in mind.

That said, this Stratocaster is incredibly cool-looking and has a very appealing sound!
We hope you’ll enjoy playing it on your stage!

Comes with an original brown Tolex hard case

Neck Date = / 2 SEP 63 B
Pot Date = / 3046348

We can ship to overseas customers. Please inquire for details.


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