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Post subject: First post, CS 1966 Strat question
Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 2:56 pm
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Hi to all, first time post but long time lurker....I'm going to buy my first Strat and am looking at various models. I found one that I am interested in but can't find any info on it at all. All the listing says is "1966 Custom Shop Strat". I find 65's, 60's, 56's.. everything but info on the 1966. What are the specs on this guitar? Is it a NOS, Closet Classic, just a vintage remake,? So many model variations...I hope it is ok to put a link to the listing I am looking at here. If not I apologize and will delete. Can anyone give me any info on this guitar? Pickups, etc. Thanks in advance....

https://www.southpawguitars.com/fender-left-handed-guitars/532-custom-shop-1966-strat-left-handed-guitar.html .


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Post subject: Re: First post, CS 1966 Strat question
Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 3:25 pm
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Have you tried contacting the vendor for the information you seek?
You could also ask them for a serial number - you could then contact Fender Customer Services yourself with the relevant details and see what they can unearth about the guitar for you.
If it's a Custom Shop guitar it should also have a COA (certificate of authenticity)? If it hasn't, why not?


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Post subject: Re: First post, CS 1966 Strat question
Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 4:15 pm
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Thanks, I just emailed the dealer for the serial number and whatever info he can give me. I have bought from them in the past and haven't had any issues. Any idea why I can't find anything on the 1966 on the Fender site? Is this a model they don't make anymore? Again, I see 1965's all over as well as other years..just not this one.


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Post subject: Re: First post, CS 1966 Strat question
Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 4:30 pm
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Hi there Fender made the Custom shop time machine 66 for a few years back in the noughties.
They were fairly rare in sunburst and possibly even more rare in lefty.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=86976
Neck looks legit.
Great guitars but ask for COA as already mentioned. :D


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Post subject: Re: First post, CS 1966 Strat question
Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2015 9:16 am
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Hi there, firstbase, welcome to the Forum. You were wise to check in here before making a purchase, you will find a wealth of information here from some very, very knowledgeable, long-time Fender enthusiasts.
Just one question, tho': you mentioned that this '66 Custom Shop would be your first Strat purchase, is there any reason why you would choose to make that purchase a $3500 guitar? Have you had a chance to play it? Have you played other Stratocasters previously?
There are thousands of Strats out there, in a wide variety of models, ages, configurations, accouterments, and price points. You can find excellent instruments for a lot less than the $3500 this instrument is listing for.
Is there something about this particular guitar that makes it the one you just have to own?


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Post subject: Re: First post, CS 1966 Strat question
Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2015 7:45 pm
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nyquilcoma....would love to hear the story behind THAT User Name...!! Being a lefty there isn't much chance to play any real selection of guitars Fender or otherwise. Over the years I've come to terms with that and have to purchase a little bit differently than you righties who can spend hours on a stool in a music store before finding that one that's just right. Sorry for the pun. I can go to the same store and sort of fake try them out, feel of the neck, sound of pickups a little...can't really play them though. I found this lefty dealer years ago and have bought and traded 4 or 5 acoustics, Martins and Taylors, and a Les Paul Custom which I just didn't take to. Beautiful guitar but I don't like the neck radius and the thing seems to weigh about 50 lbs. Ok, a little exaggeration but it is heavy and thick. I grew up playing cheap guitars bought by non-musical parents and always swore than when I could I would buy myself quality, nicer guitars so that's what I have done over time. Martin acoustic, German made Hofner bass, Anderson Crowdster Plus 2 and my Gibson LP. This dealer has always done right by me and I trust them. I have the 4 guitars and don't want to add another (read that as "If I add another guitar to the music room I will have to start paying alimony) so am going to trade my LP in on a strat. Dealer gives me a good value on the trade but...in order to trade I need to trade to something a bit higher in value. So I'm looking at the more pricier strats. I play nowhere but at home and not very well even then. I'm really a keyboard/piano player but love my guitars too. Hey, if I don't like it I have 48 hours to ship it back and begin again. LIFE OF A LEFTY!!!! I really appreciate everyones comments and I did get more info on this particular guitar which I will post separately....


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Post subject: Re: First post, CS 1966 Strat question
Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2015 7:52 pm
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I got some more info from the dealer today, they commissioned Fender to do a run of '66's starting in 2005 and on. It is a new guitar with COA and full Fender warranty. It shares the body and head stock with the '69's, neck is straight grain quarter sawn with C profile, and it has the Fat 50's pickups. He is also coming off the price a good bit as well. Not a lot of crazy people looking to buy a lefty 66' special run!!.


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Post subject: Re: First post, CS 1966 Strat question
Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2015 9:23 pm
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There isn't anything about that guitar that would hallmark it as a '66 and I fail to understand why it would be labeled as such.

My first Strat was a '66, bought used from the original owner in '68 -- it looked nothing like that Custom Shop instrument.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: First post, CS 1966 Strat question
Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 4:58 am
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Thanks Retro.... I guess that is what is confusing me as I don't see them listed with Fender anywhere but do know that the do runs for particular dealers at times. OK but the combination doesn't make sense to me in general...69 body/headstock, Fat 50's, what makes it a 1966? Again, I don't doubt that it is real/authentic but seems an odd guitar and not sure that's where I want to put $3K.


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Post subject: Re: First post, CS 1966 Strat question
Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 6:57 am
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Three large seems to be the going rate for some of the CS instruments. I paid a little less than that for a '60 Closet Classic Strat about a year and a half ago. But in my instance the guitar was a true-spec guitar (light relic) with hand-wound AY's, original fretwire with 7.25" radius, and period-correct black nitro finish.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: First post, CS 1966 Strat question
Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 8:28 am
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Firstbase, I gotta go with Arjay on this one. Why is a guitar with a '69-style body and headstock being sold as a 1966 model? Why the fat fifties p'ups, rather than a period correct to spec set of pickups?
A lot of changes occurred at Fender during the years between 1965 and 1970. '66 was still a transitional time, shortly after Leo's sale of the company, while by '69/'70, CBS was firmly in control of Fender production. The Strat's shape and body contours changed somewhat, the big headstocks were introduced, the Fender logo and lettering designs were altered, cost-cutting measures were introduced into the electrical components, etc., etc.
I do understand now that as a Lefty seeking a quality product, with limited access to a wide variety of instruments to check out, that you may have to seek alternative sources for your Strat shopping. I've lived most of my life in large metropolitan areas, and sometimes forget that not everyone has as many choices as I do. I wholeheartedly agree with you that it is generally worth spending a little more money to get a truly high quality instrument, one that you really enjoy playing, and which will give you years of pleasurable service, than it is to spend less upfront, and spend years regretting your purchase.
All of that said, I think I would still shy away from this particular guitar, especially at this price, even if reduced by $500. Check out your preferred dealer's selection of other Strats, and I believe there are at least a couple of other reputable sites that specialize in Lefty guitars, as well. If you are looking for a high quality Fender product, you do not necessarily have to go the Custom Shop route, either. I am a big fan of the American Standard model, particularly those of the mid-late nineties, tho' the past couple of model years have gotten some rave reviews. I realize you have to part with the LP to avoid wife strife (been there!), but rather than a straight trade with a dealer have you considered a private sale, and using that cash towards a Strat purchase? Just some thoughts...O.


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Post subject: Re: First post, CS 1966 Strat question
Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 2:40 pm
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Well without seeing the exact specs the 66 had a gold logo outlined in black and the 69 had a black logo.
Should be a few more numbers under the logo.
The tuners on the 69 are f type and kluston type on the 66.
Both the above are hard to tell in those pics.
The 69 had a u shape to the neck whilst 66 was a bit more c I think.
Ash body in 66 probably not ....looks like large frets so not vintage.
Since it is a special run anything can be requested. :D


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Post subject: Re: First post, CS 1966 Strat question
Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 4:37 pm
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OK, now I am really confused...I heard back from the dealer who profusely apologized. I asked some more questions and he says he went and reviewed the COA himself and found they had it labeled wrong. Says it is actually a '65 Custom Shop New Old Stock built in 2006. "Shares the same features as the 1966". Said that Fender Custom back then were not the brightest and would call some 66 Strats 65. Also, when Fender came out with the non Custom Shop 1965 vintage it had the smaller headstock.

Does any of that make sense? I remember the old TV show from 1965 "Lost In Space"...the famous line from it was "Danger! Danger Will Robinson!". I'm starting to feel that way...


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Post subject: Re: First post, CS 1966 Strat question
Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 5:13 pm
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Well technically possible to have a 65 with a large headstock but I have not seen any reissues from the custom shop with one.
Could be the first but you should get the serial and run it past fender consumerrelations@fender.com or ring them.
Fender were reasonably onto it in 2005
You can specify a large headstock if you custom order.
The serial on the COA will match the neckplate serial.
If you do find it to be legit you could use it to bring the price down a bit for sure. :D


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Post subject: Re: First post, CS 1966 Strat question
Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 6:08 pm
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firstbase wrote:
I remember the old TV show from 1965 "Lost In Space"...the famous line from it was "Danger! Danger Will Robinson!". I'm starting to feel that way...


+1000

This deal gets wonkier and wonkier with each new message you receive from the seller.

The CBS headstock did not appear on Stratocasters until December of 1965 and I doubt more than a couple dozen were built in that configuration. Ash for Strat bodies would not reappear until 1969 so that too is another "WTF". As a re-issue of any sort (regular production or Custom Shop) I'd score this instrument as an epic fail. It's neither fish nor fowl though I'm detecting the distinct aroma of rancid tuna.

Arjay

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