I posted this in the Custom Shop forum and got no response after a couple of days so I'm trying here.

Custom shop strat

I have seen these set neck strat ultras pop up occasionally on ebay and craigslist but this is the first I've seen with that pick guard.

Wondering if anyone knows if it's original or not.

Thanks,

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In my opinion Leo Fender had essentially perfected the guitar amplifier by 1964.

No, I think the pickguard has been replaced. It seems like these use the same pickguards as the Strat Ultras of the same year - so if the Ultra had a plain white pickguard the CS Setneck also had a plain white pickguard. The later Ultras had the white pearloid pickguards and since this appears to be a later Setneck (based on the locking trem) I suspect this one originally had a pearl pickguard as well.

+1 on the replacement pickguard. I would inquire as to whether the guitar comes with the original COA.

Is that a pearloid pick guard? It might be but if so, there's some strange photo artifacts in that picture.

I emailed the seller about the COA but didn't here back yet.

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In my opinion Leo Fender had essentially perfected the guitar amplifier by 1964.

The seller says he doesn't have the COA but can get one made because he has a friend that works in the Custom Shop.

My suspicion meter pegged the dial.

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In my opinion Leo Fender had essentially perfected the guitar amplifier by 1964.

Your best bet would be to as Xhefri on the Strat Plus thread as no one knows more about these guitars then him. Everything else seems period correct and this is the first CS set neck I have seen with all gold hardware and finished headstock so it is very possible it could be the original pick guard.Even if it was not that was a great price and hell of a buy as you would not have much problems getting the correct pick guard on IMHO one of the best built Strats they ever produced.

I would stay far far away from this seller. They don't hand out COA's like they are Lifesavers.