Description: At CME, we’re fortunate to see a number of one-of-a-kind guitars that spark collectors’ imaginations. Occasionally, we get a peek at the kind of surreal piece that legends are made of, and this Strat® is one of those pieces. For lurking on the backside of this otherwise humdrum 1960 three-tone sunburst guitar (okay, so it’s already pretty special for that) is a factory three-tone sunburst neck.
Obviously, this is very unusual, and we can’t be completely sure as to the provenance of the guitar. It’s possible that it was made for a trade show, like the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) show, which would place it in a long line of unusual, one-off Fenders. It could have been a special order as well. Either of these means that it’s probably a one-off, a rarity in the Strat® world.
Featuring a thick rosewood slab board, this is a collectible Strat® aside from the neck. This is a great-sounding guitar too, but the sunburst neck places it on another level of mystical fascination.
Summary
Body: Alder, with fine checking throughout.
Neck: Maple with slab rosewood fretboard. Sunburst finish that has moderate wear, especially around middle frets. Fine checking throughout.
Pickups/Hardware: Strat pickups are warm and strong, with nice output and a relatively thick Strat® sound. Mint-green pickguard, ashtray bridge cover.
Setup/Playability: Plays smoothly with nice action on thin, shallow neck. If you don't think it's crazy to actually play this, don't worry--the previous owner did.
Cosmetic Condition: Moderate finish wear on neck and around edges of the body, darkened nitrocellulose finish.
Modifications: New nut and refret, most of the side dot markers refilled.
Weight: 7 lbs 8 oz