I recently bought a RI 1961 Strat. It came with Fender certification document for a 1961 Strat. I can't find anything on Fender site indicating a 1961 RI. The only thing I found was a 1962 RI. Nothing available on the internet about this guitar either Anybody have any ideas on why this is. Not a big deal just curious is all.

Pix of it and certificate, possibile Custom shop?

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I'm mistaken it's not a RI but a Limited Edition 1961 Strat. I still can't find anything on it. I will post the pix you requested soon.

Maybe it's a one-off masterbuilt or a special dealer run?

Factory Special Runs are not usally listed on there web site.
Did you buy it new from a dealer, or private sale?
Also, most times these go to specific dealers, and most times 150-500 pieces are produced.
Some one else on the site my be able to confirm this or give you more info. nice guitar none the less, how does it sound?

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I bought it from a dealer in Canada Calgary, AB It sounds and plays beautifully. It also has an amazing smell I'm addicted to. Thanks for your help

I was able to find this info online:

http://www.californiavintageguitarandamp.com/Fenderpages/Fender_7050.htm

http://www.ludlowguitars.com/item/61-stratocaster%C2%AE-relic

http://www.gbase.com/gear/fender-customshop-61-nos-strat-sonic-blue

http://www.themusiczoo.com/product/5838/Fender-Custom-Shop-61-Stratocaster-NOS-Brazilian-Rosewood-Fretboard-Sonic-Blue/

The last three look like they could be from the same run?

Not a custom shop certificate, more like the vintage re-issue thin skin series, here's another link.
http://wildwoodguitars.com/electrics/fe ... /index.php

Are you sure it is not this one here.....

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Marriage is like playing cards...

At first all you want are Hearts and Diamonds.

But in the end, all you really want is a Club and a Spade.

So it appears that it is not from the Custom Shop, but from a special run of Fender "thin skin lacquer" guitars. Also, I'm wondering why Fender is calling it a '61 Stratocaster when I can't see any details that are year-specific and unique to a '61 Strat, but the resolution of the picture isn't all that great. Then again, it's not like it's a vintage-correct Time Machine. Maybe they're using '61 Stratocaster as a generic term like '60s Stratocaster.

If its like my 59 thinskin, its a nicely tweaked avri.My 59 has all of the period correct specs except it has a SRV modified neck with a 9,5 neck with 6105s.A really nice setup.The pickups are 50s CS and they are not hum cancelling.

Yeah, you'd think they'd have the pickguard screws in the right configuration ...

http://home.provide.net/~cfh/61strat.html

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

There's one detail I always look for on Strats that are modeled after specific years and that is the headstock decal. There doesn't seem to be much consistency at all. In the early days of vintage reissues there was only the one basic '50s decal and then in the late '90s/early '00s the Custom Shop started putting the correct patent decals on the Time Machine Strats and other year-specific replicas. I imagine that Fender just puts the basic "spaghetti" logo on all of their other Strats, regardless of model year, for clean visibility and brand name consistency. I kow it sounds like nitpicking but this has always been a sticking point for me.

The picture of the guitar is not very clear but it looks like it just has the basic headstock decal. Could it be an American Vintage Stratocaster with a thin-skin lacquer treatment? I couldn't find any info online about a FSR '61 Stratocaster.