FENDER 1961 STRATOCASTER

　A rare '61 model featuring a blonde ash finish and a slab-board design!! Starting in mid-'59, the rosewood fingerboard—first introduced on the "Jazzmaster" released the previous year ('58)—became standard, and the "slab-board" design, where the neck and fingerboard are joined with a flat surface, is a hallmark of this period.Although alder had been used for the body since mid-1956, ash continued to be used exclusively for the blonde finish, which allows the wood grain to show through. Blonde models from the 1960s are rare, with very few ever produced.

　The standard control cavity of the 1960s. From mid-1959, the pickguard was changed from a white single-ply model with eight screws to a three-ply model with eleven screws. Due to this pickguard change, the area around the screw holes in the control cavity protrudes slightly, resulting in a slightly narrower cavity shape.

　The groove for the wiring harness in the rear pickup area varies by individual instrument, but from around 1957, it was carved freehand with a rounded bottom and a consistent depth.

　"SwitchCraft" jack (Recruit). The edges of the cavity are sanded down after painting, but the finish varies depending on the individual instrument. The pin holes from the jig clamps are clearly visible.

　The date stamped on the spring cavity on the back of the body can be confirmed as September 1961.

　Through 1965, the area of the contoured finish narrowed, and there were changes such as extreme angles, so the shape varies slightly depending on the year.

　The neck pocket is fully painted. The lacquer peeling at the neck joint and the "9/61" date on both the neck and body match, confirming this is an original set. Starting around 1962, a hanger was attached to the neck pocket before painting, so the paint only covers half of the surface.

　Commonly known as the "Black Bobbin," this pickup features black fiber paper on both the top and bottom of the bobbin. In 1964, the black fiber paper was replaced with gray fiber paper, commonly referred to as the "Gray Bobbin." The original pickup retains its unmodified state, including the masking tape used to bundle the wiring.The pickup magnet is a cylindrical Alnico Type V, and the coil uses "AWG (American Wire Gauge) #42." The pole pieces are of the "staggered" type, with different heights for each string to balance the volume, and this design was used until the mid-1970s.
*Alnico Type V: An alloy consisting of approximately 50% iron with added aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni), and cobalt (Co). Incidentally, the name "Alnico" is simply a combination of the chemical symbols.
◎For reference

(F) 6.03kΩ (M) 5.98kΩ (R) 5.82kΩ

　While the serial number is generally an important factor in determining the year of manufacture, it does not always correspond exactly to the actual production date. This is due to variations in the manufacturing process and other system changes, as well as the existence of units where the serial number and production date differ significantly for various reasons. Since parts can be easily replaced, determining the exact year requires a comprehensive assessment that takes all components into account.

　The potentiometers are the round-groove type manufactured by "Stackpole," which were introduced around 1957. The pot date is "304-6134," indicating week 34 of 1961. Starting this year, the capacitors were changed to orange ceramic types. They are characterized by the yellow tubes used for insulation.Unfortunately, the selector switch has been replaced with a 5-position CRL unit, but this could be considered a minimal modification prioritizing usability, such as for the half-tone function.

　　Starting around the middle of 1959, the design changed from a single-ply vinyl chloride construction to a three-ply design using celluloid in a white/black/white pattern.Because the celluloid yellowed over time and blended with the dark navy blue in the center (which looks black but is actually navy), creating a greenish hue, it is commonly known as the "Green Guard." At the same time as the switch to the three-ply design, the aluminum shield plate on the back—which had previously covered only the control section—was modified to cover the entire body.

　As with the body, a September 1961 date stamp can be confirmed. The rosewood fingerboard, introduced in mid-1959, was initially a flat laminated piece known as a "slab board." From mid-1962 onward, it became a curved laminated piece known as a "round board."Because the rosewood used for the slab board is thicker, there is a difference in tone richness and attack, which tends to be a matter of personal preference.

　After the V-neck (triangular neck) used until 1957, the design shifted to a thinner, flatter grip starting in 1958. The thinner neck shape was a characteristic of models through the early 1960s, but thereafter, the neck gradually became thicker. With the rosewood fingerboard becoming standard in 1959, the walnut "skunk stripes" found on the one-piece maple necks disappeared.
◎For reference:

Nut width: 43mm, 12th fret: 52mm
Neck thickness: 22mm (at the 1st fret), 26mm (at the 12th fret)

　The tuners are covered "Kluson" type. They are "single-line Kluson" tuners engraved with "KLUSON DELUXE" and were used until around 1963 Recruit.

　The headstock features the so-called "spaghetti logo"—gold with black outlines. It has a boxy appearance with almost no chamfering. Until 1960, there was no patent number; only "WITH SYNCHRONIZED TREMOLO" was inscribed on the bottom.

　From the latter half of 1959, a spacer was added beneath the string guide. This reduces the load on the strings, resulting in softer string tension; though a minor detail, it is surprisingly important. From around 1964, the spacer was changed to a nylon version.

　From 1959 to 1964, the position markers—known as "Clay Dots"—were used. A distinctive feature until 1963 was that the dot marker at the 12th fret was positioned roughly midway between the 5th and 2nd strings, serving as a key indicator for identifying the model year. Starting in 1963, the spacing between the two dots narrowed, and by 1965, the material was changed to pearlescent celluloid.

　A separate-type tremolo block that integrates the "bridge" and the "inertia block," which functions as a tailpiece.
The name of this "Synchronized Tremolo," which brought a novel idea to life, was derived from the fact that the integrated bridge plate and inertia block move in sync (synchronously) when the tremolo arm is moved. The set screws on the saddles have already been replaced, likely due to rust or deterioration.

　The serial number engraved on the top of the joint plate is a key element for determining the instrument’s age. Starting around 1962, the screws for the neck joint and the tremolo spring hangers were changed from wood screws to self-tapping screws; however, since this instrument already uses self-tapping screws, it is presumed to be from the transitional period of this change.