{"product_id":"1970-fender-stratocaster-3-color-sunburst-rosewood-fingerboard","title":"1969-1970 Fender Stratocaster 3-color Sunburst Rosewood fingerboard","description":"\u003cp\u003eHere is a really nice vintage Fender Stratocaster from one of the hardest eras to find such a model ('68-'71).  Synonymous with Jimi Hendrix, the CBS logo big-headstock Stratocaster was only made for a very short period beginning sometime in 1968 and is one of the rarest era-Stratocasters of all time (fewer orders and changing strategies at Fender resulted in very limited batches throughout 1969 and 1970-with the model being completely revised by early 1971).  The headstock features the new-for late 1968 big Fender logo in Black with large \"Stratocaster\" and the ubiquitous \"With Synchronized Tremolo\" script flowing alongside the lower French curve profile.  A more durable poly finish was used in conjunction with the nitrocellulose lacquer that Fender had always used.  Chrome F-key tuners made their first appearance as well.  Other than that-the basic Stratocaster appointments remained in place including the 4-bolt neck, staggered pole piece pickups, steel block tremolo and patent pending stamped bridge saddles.  This unit here began life in 1969 at the original Fender factory in Fullerton California, U.S.A.  The guitar has all of the provenance including ink date stamps, ink inspection stamps, employee name stamps, pencil batch, and electronic date codes.  It is all original with the exception of a period-correct 5-way switch, and a couple of solder touch-ups.  It is set up and needs nothing-it is ready to go.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe body is the familiar double cutaway Stratocaster profile that remains unchanged since 1954-why mess with perfection?  The Red Alder body is in excellent condition.  The finish shows typical handling evidence all around the outside edges including nicks, pecks, and rub wear-see photos.  Overall-the finish on the body looks really good-the colors are vibrant and unfaded with a really nice wide red band. The neck slot has a nice paint stick shadow with factory employee ink stamp \"Chambers\"-very typical of this time period and exactly what you'd want to see. The neck joint is a good fitment and the neck angle is good. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe neck itself is smooth and straight with minimal wear.  It has a classic vintage C-shape and measures 1.62\" wide at the nut.  The neck depth measures .885\" at the 1st fret and .950\" at the 12th fret.  The green ink stamp displays \"22 (Stratocaster) 481 (batch code) 119 (November 1969) B (standard 1 5\/8\" nut width).  There is an inspection stamp \"59\" along with a pencil lot number \"3\" on the backside on the neck.  The tuners all function smoothly.  The headstock and decal display excellent-see photos.  The rosewood fingerboard is clean and has a nice soft feel.  The frets are in excellent condition and have been professionally leveled, crowned and polished-see photos.  The action is set low for an easy and fast playing experience.  The string height measures .010\" at the 1st fret and .050\" at the 12th fret.  The guitar plays really nicely up and down the fingerboard with zero dead spots.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pickups have the quintessential Fender \"bell\" tone and all 3 have a good signal.  The bridge reads 4.29 ohms, the middle reads 5.73 ohms and the neck position reads 5.46 ohms.  The switch was changed to a period-correct 5-way unit for both out-of phase positions-which so many people did and still do!  The controls all function smoothly and quietly.  The electronics harness is in excellent shape and the potentiometers date to the 52nd week of 1970.  This indicates the guitar was assembled on the last week of 1970 or shortly thereafter in 1971.  I typically date vintage guitars in accordance with serial number (when applicable) or to the last known date code I can find inside, which would be 1970.  The bridge and saddles all function as designed and the intonation is set perfectly.  The Synchronized Tremolo (Vibrato, actually) functions smoothly.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe guitar is a real joy to play.  It weighs just 7.86 lbs which is an excellent weight for a Stratocaster.  The factory contours are well-designed and provide a comfortable playing experience whether sitting or standing.  On a strap or in your lap-this guitar feels great.    The original Fender hardcase is included, of course. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Fender","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47918052147425,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0700\/9294\/7681\/files\/IMG_01532.jpg?v=1770051783","url":"https:\/\/dragginguitars.com\/products\/1970-fender-stratocaster-3-color-sunburst-rosewood-fingerboard","provider":"Draggin' Guitars","version":"1.0","type":"link"}