1961 Fender Stratocaster, Fiesta Red - One Owner!

An outstanding one-owner 1961 Fender Stratocaster, finished in Fiesta Red and originally purchased by Bob Thomas from Jennings Musical Instruments on Charing Cross Road, London, in 1962. Custom colour, slab board Strats are always special, but a one-owner example with this level of genuine real-world wear is something else entirely. Visually, this is one of the most striking custom colour Strats we have come across: an absolute head-turner, with the kind of patina that only decades of playing can create. The Fiesta Red finish has aged beautifully, with all the factory-applied layers visible in places, from the yellow-dyed body, through the primer/undercoat, to the Fiesta Red colour coat and the hazed, discoloured clear coat on top. The result is a wonderful mix of reds, pinks and worn-through areas that gives the guitar a look no Custom Shop relic could truly replicate. There has been a small amount of attempted touch-up work over the years, mainly noticeable on the treble edge of the body, but this has thankfully been kept to a minimum. This was very much a working guitar. Bob played in a duo with his late wife and released a number of CDs over the years, several of which show the guitar in use and document its ageing and evolution through his career. These CDs are included with the sale, along with a collection of photographs. The neck is a real highlight: beautifully flamed maple with an amazing patina and a wonderfully worn-in feel. It is stamped 10/61, with a slab Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and clay dot inlays. The decal has worn in places, adding further to the guitar’s authentic played-in characasures 42mter. The neck mem at the nut, with a depth of 20mm at the 1st fret and 24.2mm at the 12th. It has been refretted and plays superbly. In terms of originality, the key body and finish details are exactly what you want to see. The nail holes are present, the worm route fuzz is spot-on, the neck pocket is fully painted as per the period, and the jack and trem claw solder appear correct. The serial number is 67394, dating to 1961, and the legible tone pot is a Stackpole unit coded 304-6134, dating to week 34 of 1961. The guitar retains its correct single-line tuners, correct mint green pickguard, correct knobs and original-style hardware. The pickguard has shrunk and cracked in places, as is often seen, the bridge pickup cover has been replaced, the back plate is missing, and the nut has been changed. Electronically, the guitar is largely correct aside from a changed switch, changed volume pot and a rewound neck pickup. The pickups read 5.40k at the bridge, 5.66k in the middle and 5.66k at the neck, delivering that classic early ’60s open, woody and wonderfully dynamic Strat voice. The main appeal of this guitar is the extraordinary combination of custom colour rarity, one-owner provenance and genuinely earned wear. It has all the right period features, a fantastic flamed maple neck, a rich dark slab rosewood board and the sort of patina and mojo that simply cannot be faked. A truly special 1961 Fiesta Red Stratocaster with superb provenance, breathtaking patina and a lifetime of real musical use behind it. Not a museum piece, but a guitar ready to be played, enjoyed and carried forward by its next owner. Complete with original Selmer case.