Wondering what anyone can tell me on the shell pink strat... Also what is the going rate at this point?

I know that it is listed as a Fender special order color in teh 60's, and also in the Fender book as one of the rarest colors by Fender...

This is the first guitar I bought in 1996.

Hi rangerkeeler,

It looks like Shell Pink was originally offered as a custom color choice on Strats from '60 to '63, then it was replaced by Candy Apple Red. I don't know that you can put a value on a Strat just going by the color of it, but I would say that Shell Pink is a more rare color on the originals at least.

_________________
---> "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.

Shell Pink is an "acquired taste". Like Burgundy Mist Metallic.

Rare it may be. But it's just not that popular, hence the paucity of examples.

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 Can Tell You That The One They Have At The Music Store I Go To Has Been There For Seven Months At Least. No One Buys It. Lol

_________________
Vintage Hotrod '57 Strat, 81 G&L L2000 Series E Bass, Fender Musicmaster Bass Amp.

Was it shell or salmon that was never a offered colour, just a result of faded fiesta?

_________________
No no and no

Google search says Coral Pink.

_________________

Is there an known existing example of an vintage early '60s Shell Pink Stratocaster? I have never seen one in a book before.

Your guitar, due to the age, may be a japan-made Fender. If so, the color really doesn't matter, just look on eBay for similar model guitars, and see what they are actually selling for. Just be warned, the color may turn away some buyers. I have a shell pink 2001 Classic Series 60's strat......I bought it because it was so sad seeing it just sitting in the local store for 2 years, lol. The guy sold it to me for $400, and it was brand spanking new! I guess he was tired of it not selling. It is a sweet guitar, and caused me to go purchase another one, but in Burgundy Mist.

Original Shell Pink that Fender used in early 60's was Dupont's Automotive Shell Pink #2371 nitrocellulose version not the enamel.

_________________
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

'Coral/Salmon' pink are as a result of a faded Fiesta Red.

Shell pink is the only true Fender-marketed colour.

Could just be the English story of when Selmer imported the Strats to the U.K. to sell in the early 60's they were burst so they just painted them over with Fiesta Red like color for the Hank Marvin craze before selling them. Hence Salmon over time?

_________________
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Hiroko "Key" Iwai owns this '63 Shell Pink Stratocaster

Adding to the pink
with more pink

Back in the 90s when I was a subscriber to VETTE magazine, a fellow wrote in about his GREEN Corvette and how rare the color was and how much his car ought to be worth. I will never forget the editor's one-line response: There's a big difference between rare and desirable. Pink paisley, maybe...

_________________
Dennis in CR
Rockin' since 1963

My faded example: