I note that by 1965 f tuners were being used, are there any examples of 65 strats with f tuners on a small headstock?

Not correct.

Kluson double-lines equipped the '65s and also many of the early '66s.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Agree with Retroverbial. The "F" keys made by Schaller came in late '67.

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---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

then why are there are 65 mustangs and jazzmasters with f tuners ?

According to my sources, the Jazzmaster didn't get the "F" tuners until mid-1966.

And the Mustang got them in 1968.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

+1

According to published historical accounts, Kluson could not keep up with demand after FMI's big surge in production subsequent to CBS's purchase of the company from Leo. By early '66 the situation grew critical and it was Fullerton's plant manager Forrest White who made the decision to source tuning machines from Schaller. The first shipments began to arrive at Fullerton sometime in late April or early May.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

I own a late 1965 Strat with a November neck date stamp.
IMG_0097 by John Bohn, on Flickr
It has the small transition headstock with the extra patent numbers on it
000_0563 by John Bohn, on Flickr
and Kluson Deluxe tuners.
000_0554 by John Bohn, on Flickr
I've never seen a '65 Strat with factory installed Schaller "F" key tuners.

John

+1

Gorgeous lam-board '65, John!

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Beautiful guitar John. Let's see a frontal pic.

And yes, as I understand it Strats, would not get the F Tuners until a few years later, not 65.

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Really beatiful guitar.

Just had to say it...

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2010 American Special HSS 3TSB
Marshall MG15FX

Thanks, Arjay. I always celebrate my old friend's birthday (45 this year) some time this month and last night was it. Some fretboard moisturizing, a dash of graphite in the nut slots and on the saddles, a fresh set of strings and a quick polishing and away I went. Must have played for two hours straight. L Series pickups and a 1965 Deluxe Reverb Reissue are a match made in aural heaven.

John

Sure, here are a few more pics.
000_0131 by John Bohn, on Flickr
000_0574 by John Bohn, on Flickr
000_0099 by John Bohn, on Flickr
John

Yngwie's got me beat but I do have a green one.
000_0288 by John Bohn, on Flickr
Piling up Strats on the floor... there oughta be a law against that.

John

You better believe it!

I dig your landscaping too.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Can't take much credit for the landscaping. That saguaro planted itself and has grown steadily for 40 years. Cacti are the one plant my brown thumb can't kill.

John