Why Fender briefly used korina is anybodys guess. What do belly dancers wear on their feet? It's not the original anyway? Over the years, we have been providing quality content, commentaries, opinions and insights on arts and music. The October 2021 issue of Guitar Magazine is out now! #tdi_205 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item1 { By any standards, the finish is in great shape for a 1961 Strat, but its obvious that this guitar has been well used in addition to being well loved. Thanks for your advice. I doubt if they even know! Unusually, the original three-way pickup selector has been modified to operate as a five-way switch making the in-between positions easier to find. How Much Is A Vintage Stratocaster Worth? These acoustic discrepancies carry over into the amplified tones, with the 61 Fiesta Red producing a smooth and full-bodied growl. Theres little to choose between the necks; the Surf Green guitar has a slightly rounder depth, while the Fiesta Red has more of a classic 1960s feel, starting out skinny and gradually filling out towards the body. Made in the USA. The highest value is placed on virginity in this market, and it is raised to the level of fetish. Both of these guitars are very special for entirely different reasons; one was owned and played by the golden-eared Eric Johnson and the other possesses a combination of features that may make it the only example of its kind produced by Fender during the pre-CBS era. The guitar plays well with low action. What Was The First Guitar Made By Fender? Join our mailing list for prime access to new gear, great giveaways, and the best deals! ($250,000 to $310,000) 1936-'42 Martin D-45. background: url(https://guitar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/fender-pre-cbs-fiesta-red-strat-wear-on-contour@1400x1050.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat; background: url(https://guitar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/fender-pre-cbs-fiesta-red-strat-red-stained-alder@1400x1050.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat; As a result, the area of wood and green lacquer immediately in front of the truss-rod remain in perfect condition. The guitars original brown tolex case contains a letter of provenance from Eric Johnson along with photos of him playing the guitar. I totally agree with a complete professional appraisal. Full description, history and pics at it's worth whatever someone will pay for it. The December 2021 issue of Guitar Magazine is out now! background: url(https://guitar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/fender-pre-cbs-fiesta-red-strat-inner-pickguard-label@1400x1050.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat; That said, a pristine '61 all original with case might push $50,000 in this crazy market, so the $15K mark may not be far off here. What Year Stratocaster Is The Most Valuable? In contrast, Stratocasters from Fenders golden era are seldom associated with rarity because they were made in such huge numbers after all, ease of mass-production was kind of the point, and the genius of the instruments design. Our site has more than 2 million unique monthly visitors and 1 million subscribers. The guitar plays well with low action. Many continue to believe that the Fender Telecaster is the most important mass-produced solidbody electric guitar ever made. "twice refinished in a different than original color". If you tell them you think that it has had multiple finishes, you see the dealer thinking then you get x - 25%. One piece maple with Brazilian rosewood slab board and "4-61" pencil date. The guitar has moderate play wear. }. Comtact someone like Gruhn for an appraisal, then bring it to a show and sell it. The switch from ash to alder was made to speed up the finishing process, and since korina is open pored like ash, it would have been a backwards step. For this guitar the (twice?) One "right" buyer is all it takes. Guest Posts Music, Entertainment, Culture, Art. If your vintage instrument is devalued by 50% after one finish how much more are they going to devalue it. Can You Learn Electric Guitar Without Amp? 1964 Gibson ES-335, Eric Clapton $847,500. 1995-2019 Harmony Central, Inc. All rights reserved. There are few marks on the body, the pickguard is clean, and the electronics are in good condition. background: url(https://guitar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/fender-pre-cbs-surf-green-strat-worn-green-finish@1400x1050.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat; In contrast the 63 Surf Green is noticeably brighter, clearer and more spanky. When Was The First Electric Guitar Is Developed? Looking at this well-preserved example, its easy to see why Fiesta Red was often erroneously referred to as salmon pink back in the day. The Fender Electric Instruments Company introduced a single and dual pickup solid body electric guitar in the spring of this year. Leo Fender created the first solid-body electric spanish guitar prototype in 1949. Thats very much the case here, because the green Strat sounds very different to the red model or indeed any alder-bodied, veneer board Strat from this era. The first strat ever built is the serial 0100, which is owned by George Gruhn, a Nashville guitar expert and owner of Gruhns Guitars. } It could also be because korina turns yellow amber under clear lacquer, and that would have obviated the staining process needed for sunbursts, but it seems likely well never know. Beside a few deposits of grime in the control pot mouldings, theres scant evidence that this guitar was ever played. } There are several versions of the Squier Stratocaster, ranging in price from $180 to $500. All hardware appears correct, including the tooling marks at the rear of the saddles, and the single-line Kluson tuners. Get it authenticated and sell it-it'll bring in what it brings in. By With multiple refins, the associated stripping, sanding, possible removal or modification of original wood (as in filling of dents or gluing of cracks) becomes an increased concern. From $6,500 to $150,000, according to our research, were the 1950s Fender Stratocasters worth the most money. The pickguard is perfect too, retaining a lighter shade thats more mint than pistachio. This Fiesta Red is blown over Dakota Red, which is sprayed over a Desert Sand base coat. There is some buckle rash on the back of the body. If you want a real and workable idea of its value, pay for George Gruhn to do a full appraisal (like MONGOOZ said, above). In the early 1950 Fender catalog, it was actually black with a white pickguard on the base. 1995-2019 Harmony Central, Inc. All rights reserved. They may be dents, or areas where something hot melted the finish. There is finish checking all over the body. How Much Can You Sell A Fender Stratocaster For? When Was The First Electric Fender Guitar Made? The point I was trying to make is that you take the guitar to a dealer and say you have no knowledge of the guitar having more than one refinish. The fretwork is faultless so good, in fact, that the perfectly smooth and flat fingerboard is the only real giveaway that any work has been done. There is finish checking all over the body. They are the 'experts' let them decide how much they are want to pay. Although the neck lacquer retains its pale, factory fresh appearance, and there are no signs of playwear or checking, the metallic paint in the decal has begun to oxidise and acquire that vintage greenish tint. Can You Learn Guitar And Drums At The Same Time? There is another guy called Phil Harris but you'll have to look him up. background: url(https://guitar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/fender-pre-cbs-surf-green-strat-finish-close-up@1400x1050.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat; Gibson Les Paul Standards from the late 1950s are rare guitars. If youve ever wondered whether vintage tone is in the wood or the pickups, this pair of custom-colour pre-CBS Fender Stratocasters may help settle the issue. Sorry. The January 2022 issue of Guitar Magazine is out now! Personally I'd rather just say re-finish to the vintage dealers over here and let them make the offer. The electric guitars dramatic shift in tone was a dramatic departure from the acoustic guitars traditional strum. Personally, (I am not directing this at you whatsoever) I think the multi-refinish history thing is a load of bollocks. Mozartproject.org is a media and news platform that covers music genres, culture, fashion and the industry of entertainment. This item sold for $289.50 on the 1961 list. Pickup Measurements: neck 6.0k ohms middle 5.8k ohms bridge 6.3k ohms. In a straight shootout, the sonic differences between korina and alder are clear and obvious. Can You Learn Guitar And Bass On One Guitar? }. However, with relatively uncommon items like these, the range on individual sales may be fairly broad, and the idiosyncrasies of each instrument and each sale/auction need to be kept in mind. I know the world of vintage guitar trading has strict valuation criteria but I just assumed that there would be no difference in valuation for either one re-finish or ten re-finishes. Visit Our Showroom Today! If you're unhappy with this refinish business, that's fine-but the current vintage guitar market places a high degree of value on originality and pedigree. The screws in and around the pickguard are rusty, to a greater or lesser extent, but its all part of the vibe. Following the comps on recent sales is a reasonable way to get a handle on values. Removing the paint stick would reveal a large area of bare wood inside the neck pocket and its helpful if youre trying to determine whether the body is ash or alder the two wood types commonly used for Stratocaster bodies back in the day. All the wiring appears factory original and theres the outline of a 50s-style shield on the underside of the 60s-style aluminium shield. Custom color in that condition? Custom color (or factory refin) is one thing, but twice refinished in a different than original color does not add value. Gibsons were made by hand, using painstaking traditional methods and the factory produced a very extensive range of models. background: url(https://guitar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/fender-pre-cbs-surf-green-strat-pickup-cavity@1400x1050.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat; It looks and feels like an early 60s Strat but sounds and responds more like a mid-50s example, so cognitive dissonance abounds. It was called the Esquire, and approximately 50 of them were built without the use of a truss rod. Even original solder joints add value! Can I still be pregnant after heavy bleeding? background: url(https://guitar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/fender-pre-cbs-fiesta-red-strat-pick-up-cavities@1400x1050.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat; pigboy, August 2, 2006 in Electric Guitars. The grain pattern and colour of the wood indicate that this is an ultra-rare example of a korina-bodied Strat. Modifications / Repairs: The guitar has been refretted. The instrument can be seen in the video. As with first-issue books, the 1954 Stratocaster is the most collectible among all of the other models released during that time period. The current value for one in excellent all-original condition is, View complete answer on loviesguitars.com, View complete answer on vintageguitar.com, View complete answer on gearaficionado.com, View complete answer on hobbyguitarist.com, View complete answer on premierguitar.com, View complete answer on precbsstratocasters.com. After that, the Stratocaster was released in spring 1954 as Fenders new top-line guitar, with a tremolo and a non-tembol version. Any Questions? High praise indeed. People like George Gruhn can spot stuff like this. The maple has very strong and clear lines that run across the headstock face and along the back of the neck. The November 2021 issue of Guitar Magazine is out now! That way, you will at least have some substantive point for bargaining when/if you go to sell. Where the lacquer has chipped or rubbed away, you can see the yellow-stained alder beneath. Potential bidders need to be prescreened for legitimacy. Fender used some lovely Brazilian rosewood for slab and veneer boards but if you appreciate wood figuring, this is a particularly fine example. The frets are small, vintage style with no play wear. What Is A 1959 Fender Stratocaster Worth? I've not heard many good reports about V & R , Denmark Street, I know a few people who have done business with them. But more thrillingly, the body appears to be korina or African limba, if you prefer. Stratocasters are essentially flat pack guitars and Fender produced relatively few models, so what would make this 1963 example not only rare, but potentially the rarest of all vintage Stratocasters? The green 63 Strat is a fascinating rarity, both in terms of colour and sound, but its some distance away from the quintessential early 60s Strat tone of Eric Johnsons former squeeze. 6-String Solid Body Electric Guitar with Brazilian Rosewood Fingerboard. The most popular Fender American Professional Stratocaster sells for around $1500, with prices ranging from $500 to $2500. background: url(https://guitar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/fender-pre-cbs-fiesta-red-strat-internals@1400x1050.jpg) 0 0 no-repeat; ($225,000 to $375,000) Reach Out to Asia Stratocatser $2,700,000. All of the UK vintage traders I have met so far are 'sharks'. Many of the cars from the year 54 have been listed for $100,000 or more. popular fender american professional stratocaster. I ran the multi-refinish thing past my local dealer who I have know personally for 20 years (and worked for), he doubted whether the multi-refinish would devalue it past 50% of the original finished guitar price. Its serendipitous that we get to try the Surf Green Strat while were in the process of working on a korina Epiphone Flying V. Korina is a light timber, which we have already noted, but experiences with the Flying V suggest it also has a very loud, bright and airy tone. The selling price of the guitar will follow other refinished 1961 Stratocaster prices-it doesn't really matter what someone values it at. Original wiring with black bobbin pickups and 1960-61 dated pots. After its initial success, Fender introduced the Precision Bass (P-Bass), the first mass-produced electric bass. The September 2021 issue of Guitar Magazine is out now. The pickup covers and knobs are in fantastic condition, having turned very slightly creamy and developed verdigris in the lettering. Washburn, Bob Marley valued at 1.2 million. I'm gonna guess in the $20,000 range maybe. Can You Learn Fingerstyle Guitar As A Beginner? The Fiesta Red 1961 model has a fairly standard weight for an alder-bodied, early-60s Strat, but you dont need weighing scales to discern that the korina instrument is lighter. The front is in better shape cosmetically than the back, which has some odd but not unattractive spiral-shaped marks. The slab board is unquestionably Brazilian rosewood and its in amazing condition, having been levelled when the guitar was refretted. Fender made a lot of Fiesta Red Strats in the pre-CBS era, so this guitars most distinguishing feature is the grain on the neck. #tdi_203 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item2 { Refinishes, changed wiring, refrets, etc. #tdi_204 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item1 { The alder-body guitar sustains better, too, with that smooth and fluid quality that is so much part of Eric Johnsons tonal palette. Wood burr along the rout is thinly coated in lacquer, which indicates Surf Green is the only colour ever applied to this body, Wear on the body reveals Dakota Red, Desert Sand and yellow stained alder beneath the Fiesta Red finish, Judge orders Dean to cease production of Gran Sport, Dean V and Dean Z guitars following Gibson trademark verdict, Squiers 40th Anniversary Vintage Edition models bring Road Worn vibes to players on a budget, Porcupine Trees Steven Wilson argues why the term amateur should not be an insult, Rick Beato finally gives a tour of his studio: Theres actually about 20 feet behind the camera where all the secret stuff is, My Guitar Story: Robert Jon & The Wreck on the new Eastman Juliet, Introducing Momma: the New York act striving for 1990s rock stardom, It was like the first time a vegetarian tastes bacon: Emanuel Casablanca on finding authentic Tele tones with his Mod Shop Strat, Reeves Gabrels: The five pieces of gear I cant live without, The Genius Of Ignore the Ignorant by The Cribs, Silktone Fuzz review: Vintage germanium filth with added number-tweaking, The Big Review: Fender Hammertone Pedals budget effects for pretty much everyone, The Genius Of Father of the Bride by Vampire Weekend, DIY Workshop: How to solve problems with your guitars nut, The best effects pedals to buy in 2022: 14 best guitar pedals for beginners, Dire Straits 10 greatest guitar moments, ranked, Chord Clinic: Learn to play 10 interesting D minor chord variations on guitar, Chord Clinic: Learn to play 10 interesting F Major chord variations on guitar, Chord Clinic: Learn to play 10 interesting A major chord variations, An Introduction to alternate tunings: Advanced alternate tunings for electric guitar. Unless the refin was done with the espress purpose of producing a museum-quality emulation of the original finish, down to the last detail, there are apt to be tell-tale signs that a refin was done, especially around the neck pocket and under the pickguard. There are, however, rare exceptions. The Surf Green 63 is hard to beat for crystal-clean Hendrix tones, wiry blues and cutting funk rhythms, but we find ourselves favouring the neck and middle pickups and rarely venturing onto the bridge. This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies. Neck Details: One piece maple with Brazilian rosewood slab board and "4-61" pencil date. Less well documented are the korina-bodied Strats, and documented examples all originate from a fairly narrow time window that spans the end of 1963 and very early 1964. We're only a click away. We've compiled a list of the Top 10 Most Expensive Guitars Sold At Auction, Let's get started! Provenance and documentation need to be airtight. Good Luck w/ the results,whatever they may be. 2021 Guitar.com is part of NME Networks. There is a question mark over the saddles because the tooling marks that are usually evident on the flat area at the back on all but the rustiest examples are missing. Korina actually sounds way closer to swamp ash than alder, but its perhaps not as strong in the bass or as compressed and to our ears, its also the loudest of the two. They would not price the instrument less if it had been finished more than once assuming that it had been confirmed the body had not been destroyed and pieced back up, refilled cracks etc. will all detract from the value of the guitar when it is compared to pristine instruments of the same model and era-which will obviously draw the highest prices. We cant say if the refret was done during Eric Johnsons custodianship, but the work was clearly performed by a first-rate luthier. } The colour of the body is somewhat unusual and it differs somewhat from what were used to seeing on more modern Surf Green guitars including Custom Shop Relics. How Much Can You Sell A Stratocaster For? There was only one pickup, a full scale of 25.1 inches, and no truss rod in the Esquire. The current TradeMe auction for 1959 Fender Stratocasters is estimated to have a value of $25,000 to $35,000. Maybe Gruhn's can spot a multiple re-finish but I doubt most dealers here in UK couldn't. Fender introduced the worlds first mass-produced solid-body electric guitar, the Tele, in 1950 (originally known as the Broadcaster for two-pickup models and the Esquire for single-pickup). Electronics: Original wiring with black bobbin pickups and 1960-61 dated pots. They are also quite shiny and the lettering stamps look a bit shallower than usual. The history of any refin is the most significant thing. Judging by the immaculate fingerboard and pale clay dots, the board may have been levelled when the guitar was refretted. Guitar.com is the worlds leading authority and resource for all things guitar. Besides a small patch on the letter F, the Surf Green guitars decal is in fine condition. The first known advertisement for the product appeared in the April issue of International Musician magazine, and a small pre-production run took place that month. We are the go to news media platform of people who would like to find the latest trends in the entertainment industry. Tech Notes: The serial number dates to 1961. Fender frequently met with both Bigsby and Les Paul to discuss their work on guitar and amplification technology, which inspired the title. } Fretwire of a vintage sympathetic gauge was used and theres no evidence of sanding along the edges of the board or repaired chips on the top. The 1961 list price was $289.50. It looks nothing like the anaemic farmed fish, but surprisingly close to the wild Alaskan variety. Although we cannot state categorically that its an original factory finish, with its paint-free screw holes and very natural lacquer checking, we see nothing to indicate that it isnt. }. We begin by comparing the overall feel of both guitars. An airy treble characterises Strat pickups from this era, so the korina serves to exaggerate the effect. In other words, the start of the L-Series. Anyone looking to purchase such an instrument WILL ask. ($250,000 to $400,000) 1958-'60 Gibson Les Paul Standard. It was only after its current custodian ATB Guitars acquired the guitar and removed the neck that the discovery was made. The most well known are mahogany bodies, and examples do pop up over a fairly wide early-1960s date range. The acoustic tone is extremely airy, conspicuously bright and doesnt generate a lot of low end. I'd take less if it was going to a good musician rather than storage. 1968 Fender Strat, Jimi Hendrix $2,000,000. On August 10, 1937, the Electro String Corporation received the first ever patent for an electric guitar. It is one of the earliest Stratocasters built, despite the fact that it was built in 1954, making it one of the earliest. ATBs korina Strat is noticeably light in weight when you pick it up and its in such pristine condition, you get the odd sensation that its a recently manufactured guitar. At the moment I realise that I am unlikely to get more than 10k dollars which is fine by me. The frets are undoubtedly original and almost unplayed. They probably won't tell the next buyer that it is a multi-finish. Was The Fender Telecaster The First Electric Guitar? In contrast, the former Eric Johnson guitar is darker, much thicker in the midrange and extends lower. No doubt a darkening of the clear coats has caused this change because under the pickguard and spring cover we can see what Surf Green must have looked like when it was freshly applied. Most legit traders over here just accept it is a re-finish and that is the end of story! This Fiesta Red model from 1961 comes in its original candy-loaded brown Tolex case, along with a picture of Eric playing the guitar and a handwritten letter that confirms that not only did the star own and use it extensively on stage and in the studio, its one of the two favourite rosewood neck Strats hes ever owned. Having access to a closet classic in extremis also reveals other interesting details. Its always a treat to get our hands on a vintage Stratocaster, but here were really being spoiled. Its interesting to note that nobody has ever attempted to tweak the neck relief without first detaching the neck to expose the truss-rod screw. The finish on the back of the neck is worn in some spots. You get X pounds. #tdi_203 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item3 { Become a CME VIP and get the latest news on gear, giveaways, and deals FIRST! It also appears closer to flat sawn than quarter sawn. Can You Learn Guitar At 20 Without Knowing Another Instrument? G. D. Beauchamp invented the Rickenbacker Frying Pan, which was also known as a Rickenbacker Frying Pan. What Brand Made The First Electric Guitar? We provide insight and opinion about gear, artists, technique and the guitar industry for all genres and skill levels. It could be that some korina was delivered by accident and Fender didnt want to waste it, or there was a temporary shortage of alder at Fenders timber suppliers. Another is Ricks Guitar Emporium in New Kings Road. Consequently, we can see that Fender levelled frets but didnt bother crowning them. It varies in shade from dark chocolate brown to near ebony black, with vivid grain patterns in some areas. According to our research, 1960s Fender Stratocasters can be valued between $4,500 and $100,000. #tdi_204 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item3 { They appraised a Tele that a guy found here at a yardsale a few years ago for $16000 but the guy sold it for $23000 at a vintage show. The first electric guitar was made in 1918 with the frying pan. The instrument was developed by George Beauchamp and eventually manufactured by Rickenbacker Electro after it was released in 1931. The frets are small, vintage style with no play wear. It may be a better idea to get an independent valuation and sell privately. $20K+ easily. #tdi_205 .td-doubleSlider-2 .td-item3 { The most obvious answer is that its finished in Surf Green, which is a seldom-seen custom colour.