1962 fender stratocaster specs

This left the players with referential configurations of the guitar as for what was available during certain production periods. A fourth patent number was added to headstock, and the sunburst finish changed yet againthe yellow component was now sprayed in addition to being dyed, using a much less translucent yellow that made the transition from color to color less seamless and more pronounced (a finish soon referred to as having a target look). The second option would probably be Fenders own 57/62 Strat Pickups set which is somewhat cheaper when compared to the SSL-1s. So we went over to the Guitar Center, and I bought him a great old 62 Stratocaster. I just watched RHCP at Woodstock 1999, and noticed that Johns 62 Strat at that point already had more wear than the guitar from the video that you linked (image in the comment below). The actual pickups we settled on (and John never knew this) were stock, brand new, Fender Strat pickups. The flat-lam 7.25-9.5-radius maple fingerboard is based on ultra-rare examples we found from that era and flattens out as you head for the upper registers, making it easy to bend without fretting out. The 57 Stratocaster quickly became one of the classics. For specific measures or detailed specs, we encourage you to do your own research and improve on ours. The same is true for vocal surf music. For many, the most iconic for Fender Stratocasters. Over the course of seemingly endless U.S. club circuit tours during the first half of the 1960s. Surf music was a youthful Southern California phenomenon, and Fender was a youthful Southern California company that made well built and eminently affordable guitars right where and when the action was happening. This fretboard was first instituted as a thick board over the maple neck, colloquially called slab-board. Other minor changes were adoptedgray-bottom pickups instead of black, tuners that read Kluson and Deluxe in parallel vertical lines rather than a single line, and a white plastic spacer below the string tree rather than a metal one. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'gearaficionado_com-leader-4','ezslot_15',115,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-gearaficionado_com-leader-4-0')};The now-called CBS era is seen with some reticence from many of the brands fans since it introduced some polarizing and not tone-defining changes. In fact though, this did come as a surprise to Fender, and a happy one at thatthe development boded especially well for the previously mis-targeted Jazzmaster and its somewhat struggling predecessor, the Stratocaster. See the next years 1963 Fender Stratocaster. Eventually, I had to get Duncans in the 62, as well. 1960 single Lets Go Trippin is widely credited as the first surf rock instrumental, and his 1962 rendition of 1927 Greek folk song Misirlou remains perhaps the most famous instrumental surf song. Since mid-1959 Fender had been using a slab board Brazilian Rosewood fretboard. Would either survive? At least in massive production. This change took place in July 1962. Based on photos, Johns Stratocasterhada thicker slabfretboard, which means that it was madefrom early to mid-1962. finishes that were used on the earlier 50s models, which went from black to opaque, the three-tone sunburst has a red tint between the black on the edges and opaque in the center. Do you mean transparent in the centre and opaque on the edges? if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'gearaficionado_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_4',112,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-gearaficionado_com-large-leaderboard-2-0')};In a very Fordian fashion, this instrument was only available in one finish: two-tone sunburst. At last but not least, in 1969, still in the CBS era the strat suffered a few other modifications. If you need to figure out the exact year of your pre-CBS Fender Stratocaster, use the serial number and the general features of the guitar. By the year 1957, the production quality was improved greatly. Neck screws change from being partially threaded, to being fully threaded their whole length. There are some questionable staments made (Example: Strat necks having a U profile after '62), so I wouldn't take everything as truth. And he mustve gotten confused. From guitars, pedals, amps, and synths to studio gear and production tips, I hope you find what I post here useful, and Ill try my best to keep it entertaining also. The rest of the Hendrix story has been well documented a thousand times overthe torrent of music, the hit singles and imaginative albums, U.S. and worldwide success, the mesmerizing concert appearances, the Stratocasters smashed and set alight onstage before incredulous onlookers, Monterey, Woodstock and, finally, the tragic and untimely end. Several of the greatest guitarists of that decade would enter the next one with a new appreciation for Fenders second electric guitar model (Hendrix, sadly, was not long among them), and a new generation of guitarists on both sides of the Atlantic would use it to define the new decade with its own electrifying, screaming, stinging, roaring and singing identity. Strat in hand, Hendrix plugged into Jack Bruces bass amp and promptly launched into a light-speed rendition of Howlin Wolfs Killing Floor that quickly rendered Englands greatest blues-rock guitarist dumbfounded. As quoted in author Tony Bacons 60 Years of Fender, longtime Fender salesman Dale Hyatt noted, I think Jimi Hendrix caused more Stratocasters to be sold than all the Fender salesmen put together.. (Middle Pickup), 5-Position Blade: Position 1. The real magic of this guitar is in the neck and fingerboard; the ultra-stable, tinted riftsawn maple neck has a C-profile thats ideal for thumb-over, or any other playing style. They were going for a song, he said. 1964 was an important year in Stratocaster design evolution. So with surf music subsiding and the British Invasion ruling the charts in 1964-1965, the Stratocaster once again bided its time. He of course mentioned his trusty 62 Stratocaster, and interestingly, the article claims that the guitar still features the original hand-wound pickups. See the previous years 1961 Fender Stratocaster. A music no longer in its infancy now faced a 1970s adolescence, the character of which would be anybodys guess as the clock ticked down the last few minutes of 1969. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'gearaficionado_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_7',109,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-gearaficionado_com-medrectangle-3-0')};Its history dates back to 1954 when Leo Fender was the first to build an electric guitar featuring 3 pickups, a spring tension vibrato system, and a contoured body. He used it only sporadically at first. More rare necks include an A width which was for the 1 1/2 nut width. (Dan). if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'gearaficionado_com-leader-2','ezslot_12',120,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-gearaficionado_com-leader-2-0')};In this case, it was the neck shape again, and the fretboard. Embedded content: https://youtu.be/NoWlnZ4qtrE. On their own and backing up singer Cliff Richard, the Shadows racked up several Strat-fueled hits in the early 1960s, and more than a few British kids longed for a Fiesta Red Stratocaster just like Marvins. The tuners were Kluson brand, and the inlays black. For example, 2APR62B (where the B signifies a 1 5/8 nut width). Has the neck been sanded at any point or was it just used extensively? If true, it would be Claptons first use of Brownie on record. But, I will say that Ive never seen one. (Neck Pickup), Tone 2. You must log in or register to reply here. Nonetheless, there were notable developments. In 1967, however, the world finally caught up with the Stratocaster, largely because of a single artist. READ MORE: The Difference Between Strat and Tele Bridge Pickups What Does he use for fret size? Johns Strat pickups were switched out sometime prior to the 2001 tour. The major problem was John didnt even have a guitar to his name. It cost 150 (about $350 at the time), and it was the one he later nicknamed Brownie., Clapton recalled that at the time, once-unavailable Stratocasters had fallen from fashion somewhat and were hence eminently affordable. Because the red middle component of the Stratocasters three-color sunburst finish tended to fade with exposure to sunlight, Fender switched to a more durable red paint that had no such tendency, and the dark brown outer part of the finish was changed to black. The Fender Stratocaster is maybe the most iconic electric guitar ever created. The 2 in the number was the model of guitar. A new decade was fast approaching. Johns original pickguard had the screw in the middle of the pickups just like a stock 62 Strat would have. Even though all the sunburst finished bodies of this period were built with alder, ash was still used for the blond versions of the instrument. Notes: From the spring of 1962, neck heels received a stamped date no more dates in pencil. Surf music came in instrumental and vocal varieties. Embedded content: https://youtu.be/G8yU8wk67gY. Neither happened overnight, as both had been in the works for at least a few years, and neither had anything whatsoever to do with the other. Neck Pickup, Deluxe Hardshell Case, Strap, Certificate of Authenticity. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Most significantly that year, thinner round-laminated fingerboards that made for a more stable joint between neck and fingerboard replaced flat-bottom slab rosewood fingerboards. A 3 letter month was put on there. Both had arrived in the middle of the 1950s at roughly the same timethe Stratocaster in 1954 and rock n roll in 1955. For all these promising developments, though, the Stratocaster was still not a dominant electric guitar by the middle of the decade; it was still patiently biding its time. Embedded content: https://youtu.be/EzgbcyfJgfQ. One of the most noticeable changes in this stretch is beyond a doubt the oversized headstock. They were archaic., READ MORE: Iconic Mods: Eric Clapton's 'Blackie' 1962 Stratocaster Specs: Headstock logo decal now has three numbers: 2,573,254, 2,741,146, and 2,960,900. Sources: Screw placement on a 1963 Stratocaster http://www.guitarhq.com/63strat.html Screw placement on a 1962 Stratocaster http://www.guitarhq.com/62strat.html The site that we find his 1962 Stratocaster with right screw placement http://www.jfeffects.com.br/2019/07/o-ano-de-fabricacao-das-principais.html?m=1. Its driving me nuts! Ike Turner continued to put the Stratocaster to dynamically expressive use, as he had in the 1950s, and other electric blues giants such as Howlin Wolf and Otis Rush embraced it too. finishes that were used on the earlier 50s models, which went from black to opaque, the three-tone sunburst has a red tint between the black on the edges and opaque in the center. Do you mean transparent in the centre and opaque on the edges? The D width necks are commonly used on the Precision basses, though. As for some other modifications, this era brought to the Stratocaster, many historians summarize them as an overall reduction in the instrument quality. Hed turned in a lengthy and busy apprenticeship with acts including the Isley Brothers, Little Richard, King Curtis, Joey Dee and the Starlighters and others, relentlessly honing his fierce talent and a flamboyant stage presence that belied his thoughtfully soft-spoken demeanor offstage. The only mod on the guitar right now, according to the Total Guitar interview, is the recent addition of an Ilitch Electronics hum-canceling system. It was a small-group form, itself a phenomenon enabled by the rapidly increasing quality and audibility of electric guitars and amplifiers, an evolution that Fender did a great deal to hasten. That didnt happen. One that Ive already mentioned is the change of the Brazilian Rosewood fretboard. The first one was the 62 had SSL-1s, then Dave Lee came out and said that they were actually modern Fender pickups, and now we have this recent interview saying that they are the originals. Back to thePre-CBS Stratocaster Home Page. An audience of folk purists was shocked when Dylan took the stage in an orange shirt and dark leather jacket, playing a Stratocaster and backed by an electric band. James Jimmy Hendrix played for years in relative anonymity well before he moved to Greenwich Village, New York, in 1966. I didnt have a guitar and then I got some money and that was my Christmas present to myself. Really, from 1960 Fender started working with a standardized palette of finish colors, many of which were used in the automotive industry. Sixteen years after the guitars introduction, the long heyday of the Stratocaster was about to begin. Because of that fat neck with the nice thick shoulders on it and that beautiful slab Brazilian Rosewood fretboard. Dales prominence underlines the fact that while Fenders Jazzmaster and Jaguar guitars are considered quintessential surf instruments, the Stratocaster was equally important to the genre, and few of the many surf bands that followed in Dales powerful wake were seen without one. Thicker polyester finish undercoats were adopted around 1967-1968, although color coats and topcoats remained nitrocellulose lacquer. The middle of a sunburst is natural, meaning you can see the wood grain. But most importantly, I got the information I needed. 1999 Fender Silver Sparkle Stratocaster ("Can't Stop"), 1960s Fender Jaguar (white, Rolandsynth), Mesa Boogie Strategy 400 Stereo Power Amp. This applies to the tremolo claw screws too. In 59 Brazillian rosewood fretboards were brought in. Almost immediately, the Stratocaster was given a neck plate stamped with a large stylized Fender F. In the words of one observer quoted in author Tom Wheelers The Stratocaster Chronicles, this small but rather ostentatious move by itself served as an adequate symbol of the CBS invasion. In December 1965, however, an even more significant and visible change was implementedthe Stratocasters headstock was slightly re-shaped and enlarged by five to ten percent. Do you have a reliable source on this? The 1962 Fender Stratocaster is pretty much my absolute favorite of the Pre-CBS era. Johns Stratocaster was made in 1962, which is the third year of Fender using rosewood fretboards on the Stratocaster model. Instead, we will point out the big-picture changes that defined the history of the model. When the British Invasion hit big in February 1964, Fender instruments were not a prominent part of its armaments. Guitarhq.com information matches every single part on my '62. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Almost as soon as he stepped off the plane, Hendrix got a new bandthe Experienceand started spelling his first name Jimi. He had a top ten U.K. single (Hey Joe) within four months, and while Hendrix was neither white nor British, England and its rock establishment embraced him immediately and most enthusiastically, spellbound by his virtuosic and flamboyant command over his Stratocaster. Since we know that John did a pickup swap around that time, its safe to assume that the pickguard changing was a result of that. This dark age is evident when you check out the price tags of the vintage guitars produced before CBSs takeover which are today worth thousands and thousands of dollars. Bridge and Middle Pickup, Position 3. March 1962 is the last month for a penciled neck date on the butt of the neck (that would only be seen if the neck were removed). Stadium Arcadium was also recorded mostly using this guitar, although John used a couple of different guitars on that one. Buddy Holly was the most visible champion of Fenders new guitar, but his career had barely started when he perished at age 22 in a February 1959 airplane crash along with another Strat-wielding chart-topper, 17-year-old Ritchie Valens. First, the neck shape changed yet again to a C-shape. Neck pocket no longer entirely painted. He got his first Stratocaster there that summer. Embedded content: https://youtu.be/0seLh7c1RDg, Indeed, Hendrix had barely been in London a week when Chandler managed to actually get him onstage with Cream at an Oct. 1, 1966, gig at the Polytechnic of Central London. In case you want to talk to me directly and privately, please use the Contact Form and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Strat Talk is the leading online community and marketplace for Stratocaster guitars. From this point in time and until 1970, the maple fretboard would not be available for the Stratocaster. It waited patiently for guitarists to truly appreciate its virtues and to understand that this was an instrument that rewarded those who played it with an extraordinary experience; one that other guitarseven other Fender guitarscould not offer. Middle and Neck Pickup, Position 5. It seems though that John never stated the exact model of the pickups, but people have guessed that they were Seymour Duncan SSL-1s. As we said earlier, it was the first electric guitar with a 3 pickup configuration and a spring-mounted tremolo system. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. Its also hard to say more about him than has already been said many times over, but suffice to note that amid his towering musical accomplishments and enduring legacy, Hendrixs near-constant use of a Stratocaster vaulted the instrument to previously untold heights of understanding and acceptance. Also during this period, he was known to have performed the song live using the Stratocaster on at least one occasion. vintage frets? As the decade unfolded, it bided its time during a seemingly glacial-paced shift away from hollow-body instruments. The classic Kluson tuners were replaced for the F tuners, and the U-shaped neck came back for more. The neck, although still made from maple, shifted to a V-shape thats still nowadays a fan favorite. This does come as a surprise since many have argued that the low output SSL-1 pickup set sounds identical to Johns pickups. Other 1965 design changes included a fifth patent number added to headstock and the return of maple as a fingerboard option, although this was a glued-on fingerboard rather than the return of the one-piece maple neck/fingerboard of 1954-1959. To the left above youll see my June 1962 Slab board neck and on the right is a July 1962 veneer board neck. If you notice a piece of gear missing, and you wanna add it yourself, you can do so on this page Add Gear to GroundGuitar. Im looking at the photos of American-made Strats from around 2000/2001, and I can see staggered poles. C-V-U? Electric guitar was an ensemble instrument there and seldom took the forefront, carefully arranged amid piano, organ, horns, drums, bass, percussion, strings and more. Note how the bottom of the rosewood fingerboard is straight across and not arched. Undoublty, these periods were later identified as specific years, with the most evocative being 54, 57, 59, 62, 65 & 69. Can You Learn Metal Guitar as a Beginner? You can buy SSL-1s withwiring harness (tone pots and switch) for relatively cheap on Amazon, and those are fairly simple to install by yourself. Late-1950s artists such as Duane Eddy, Link Wray and the Ventures pioneered instrumental rock n roll, and young guitarists in Southern California in the early 1960s developed a particular affinity for it and hot-rodded it with their own oceanic twist. Hard to believe it all came from barely four years in the spotlight. Fender PlayThe #1 guitar learning platformTRY FOR FREE, PHOTO: V&A Images / Contributor / Getty Images. So Anthony lent me some money and we went to Guitar Centre and I got one with the rosewood neck. I was not trying to build one as you are, I was trying to verify that the guitar I have is truly an original Fender 1962 vintage. Even though there was still a little more than four months remaining, it could be argued convincingly that the 1960s truly ended with the last fading notes of Hendrixs Stratocaster at Woodstock in the morning hours of Monday, Aug. 18, 1969. This lacquer, in contrast to polyurethane which is used on modern guitars, was applied in much thinner layers and is much less resistant to scratches and wear. And by the time most of this had happened, the Stratocasters brief reign as Fenders top-line pro guitara two-instrument lineup consisting of itself and the Telecasterended with the 1958 introduction of the Jazzmaster guitar. For this reason, youll often see guitars from the 60s period worn to the extent where theres almost no lacquer left on the body (for example, see Stevie Ray Vaughans and Rory Gallaghers Strats). All the changes were gradual and actually took years to come to fruition. So now we have three conflicting theories. What is the best Stratocaster reissue model for you? A few artists did embrace the Stratocaster in the latter half of the 1950s before rock n roll itself nearly flamed out entirely. Terms of Use | As for the extent of this analysis, we will point out what we consider the 3 most representative. As for the Beatles, Lennon and especially Harrison continued using the Stratocasters they played in early 1965 on Help! Ive seen several A width necks. The design of the guitar continued to evolve during that period. Features and specifications subject to change without notice. 2022 Pre CBS Stratocasters. The Stratocaster thus finished the 1960s with a very bright future. This created a much thinner veneer fretboard as shown below on the right. Surf and instrumental music turned out to be a short-lived phenomenon at the top of the charts. This just goes to show that when it comes to guitar hardware, nothing is a hard science, at least when it comes to relying purely on ones ear and listening. Years later, Clapton attributed his eventual devotion to the Stratocaster to three formative influences, Buddy Holly, Buddy Guy and Steve Winwood, the last of which had acquired his first Stratocaster in 1966. 1962 saw the addition of a third patent number to the headstock decal, and Fender started rubber-stamping dates on the end of guitar necks rather than writing them in pencil. The mid 1962 Fender Stratocaster saw the fretboard go from the thick slab board Brazilian rosewood to a thinner veneer Brazilian rosewood. That distinction belonged largely to the saxophone and the piano, and the guitars that supported them were typically flat-top acoustics or big hollow electrics such as those made by Gibson and Gretsch. READ MORE: Fender Stratocaster Buying Guide: 7 Strat Models Compared, Through Hendrix, guitarists everywhere finally seemed to get it on a much larger scale than ever beforethe Stratocaster was an instrument capable of extraordinary things. A truly historic moment in rock history in general and Stratocaster history in particular came with Bob Dylans appearance at the Newport Folk Festival on July 25, 1965. Another change that took place was to the finishing process. Nonetheless, Fender instruments fared well at Motown right from the start, especially the Precision Bass. The neck was U-shaped and very thick which is one of the main features of this model. GroundGuitar counts on your criticism and feedback. In 69 Indian rosewood fretboards were the norm. The 1962 Fender Stratocaster saw quite a few changes. Copyright 2022 Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. It was a 1956 Stratocaster with a two-color sunburst finish, a well-worn maple neck and fingerboard, and serial number 12073. American Professional II Strat vs American Ultra Strat, American Performer Strat vs American Professional II Strat, American Professional II Strat vs American Ultra Luxe Strat, American Ultra Luxe Strat vs American Ultra Strat, Main characteristics of the 54 Stratocaster, Main characteristics of the 57 Stratocaster, Main characteristics of the 59 Stratocaster, Main characteristics of the 62 Stratocaster, Main characteristics of the 65 Stratocaster, Main characteristics of the 69 Stratocaster, The 54, 57, 59, 62, 65 & 69 Stratocasters compared. Dale played fast and loud, and unlike most surf musicians he actually did surf. Most necks were a B width like the necks above which indicates a 1 5/8 nut width. Then, the neck width. The Difference Between Strat and Tele Bridge Pickups, A Guide to Fender Single-Coil Stratocaster Pickups, How the Stratocaster Came to Have Two Headstocks. By the time of the Beatles Help! Includes deluxe hardshell case, strap and Certificate of Authenticity. It looks like most of that information is ok. Still largely unknown in his U.S. homeland, Hendrix arrived in England in September 1966 and immediately exploded onto the vibrant London music scene thanks to the astute management of the man whod discovered him in Greenwich Village, former Animals bassist Chas Chandler. Accordingto Anthony, at that time, John didnt have a guitar of his own (all of his old guitars were either sold or lost in a fire that caught his house), but according to John himself, he did have his red Fender Jaguar. However, around July/August 1962 Fender went fromslab to veneer fretboards, meaning that the rosewood fretboard that was glued onto themaple neckbecame thinner in profile. Early 1960s surf music, however, was what really pushed electric guitars to the forefront of popular music in an as-yet unheard way. In 19954 Leo Fender developed the first Stratocaster production model. Music and music culture experienced a wild ride and a profound evolution, and rock music began in earnest the fascinating fragmentation into more and more subgenres that would continue for decades to come. It happened slowly, but it did happen. It is essential that you define what features are the ones you most value and then work for there. By that time, in addition to making inroads into rock and pop, the Stratocaster had also started to find a place among some of the most formidable and influential electric blues guitarists playing. Which is the Right Neck Shape for You? However, Johns guitar tech was recently interviewed by the members of the John Frusciante Effects fan page/website on the subject of pickups and there seems to be some confusion about which model of pickups ended up being installed in the 1962 Stratocaster.

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