Fender Stratocaster 1965 Candy Apple Red Metallic

This clean 1965 Fender Stratocaster in original Candy Apple Red finish came through the shop earlier this year directly from the daughter of its original owner. It's a fantastic example of the Stratocaster model during a transitional year, but also a great example of the classic Candy Apple Red Metallic custom color with the gold undercoat. 

As a Stratocaster guitar collector, I am always looking for the nicest examples of Stratocaster guitars made in 1950s and 1960s. My goal is to collect and catalog all the important features of each custom color on the chart. You can contact me here to sell a Fender guitar.  

Candy Apple Red Stratocaster

While Fender's Stratocaster model was introduced in 1954, it was not available in the stunning custom color Candy Apple Red Metallic finish until 1963. Fender's original Custom Color Chart was offered by the end of 1961, but Candy Apple Red wasn't on there. Instead, at the very bottom was listed a pastel pink color called Shell Pink. It seems that few guitar buyers wanted a Fender guitar in a pink color, so the option was very rarely ordered or produced. I have only ever seen one Fender guitar in Shell Pink that I thought was an original finish. I am currently looking for any Fender guitars in Shell Pink so please contact me if you have one (Sell a Fender). Fender introduced a new chart in 1963 with Shell Pink replaced with a very popular color: Candy Apple Red Metallic. 

The original Candy Apple Red Metallic finish featured a silver colored undercoat which Fender called Inca Silver (example here: 1964 Stratocaster Candy Apple Red). Fender updated the style in 1965 to have a gold undercoat which gave a richer and slightly darker hue. Compare the two examples below with silver undercoat on the left and gold undercoat on the right.

Important Measurements

It's my goal to catalog all of the important details of each vintage guitar that comes through my shop. Here are the important measurements I took of this 1965 Fender Stratocaster in original Candy Apple Red Metallic finish:

Weight: 7.9 lbs / 3.6kg

1st fret neck profile: 0.84" deep

12th fret neck profile: 0.98" deep

Neck pickup resistance: 5.88k ohms,

Middle pickup resistance: 5.82k ohms

Bridge pickup resistance: 5.81k ohms

Factory wide frets: Fender began offering the "large" fret option in 1965 which measures about .035" tall and about .100" wide.

Neck heel ink stamp: "2SEP65B" where "2" = Stratocaster model, "SEP" = September, "65" = 1965, and "B" = standard neck width of 1 5/8". Check out more information on finding the year of a Stratocaster here: How to date a Stratocaster. 

Potentiometer code: "137 6510" where "137" = CTS, "65" = 1965, and "10" = the 10th week of the year. 

Fender Guitar Collector for 50s and 60s Stratocasters

As a Fender guitar collector, it's my goal to collect and catalog the nicest examples of Stratocaster guitars from each year in the 1950s and 1960s. I'd like find at least one of each color in the chart. If you're looking for help finding the value of a Stratocaster then check here: Stratocaster Values. Or if you're considering selling a Stratocaster from the 50s or 60s then I'd like to take a look: Sell a Fender.