This Stratocaster has a '65 neck date, but the small head is made of pasted maple, which is very rare. Originally, the maple was an option from '67, but this Stratocaster was built irregularly due to the time lag caused by the patent number on the head stock and black bobbin pickups adopted from '66 in addition to this maple specification.
The year of '65 was the year when Fender was acquired by CBS, a major change occurred, and the subsequent specifications also underwent major changes. The "spaghetti logo" from '54 was replaced by a "transition logo" with gold letters and a black border in late '64. From 1968, the "CBS logo (modern logo)" with larger black letters and gold borders was adopted.
FENDER 1966 STRATOCASTER
The back of the body still has a reddish color, but the reddish color of the top has almost faded away, leaving a strong yellowish two-tone appearance. The letter "S" on the front pickup seems to indicate the paint designation. The body date has not been seen since '63, so there is no date on this one either.
The groove of the wiring cord at the rear pickup is still round and long, but it is curved toward the middle pickup instead of straight.
There is still some reddish color in the jack cavity. There is no machining after painting and the edges have not been shaved. The pin holes for the jig clamps are not seen from around '65.
From '63, the handle is attached to the neck pocket and painted, so only half of the paint is applied. The brown shims on the pocket are genuine Fender spacers.
The back contour is deeper but shorter on each side. The top contour is much shallower, and the difference is more obvious when compared to the '63 model.
The pickups with black fiber paper on the top and bottom of the bobbin are called "black bobbin" pickups. Usually, the color under the bobbin is changed to gray fiber paper from late '64, but this pickup is still assembled with black bobbin, which was rarely seen from '66 to '67. The same black bobbin has different DC resistance and coil wire than those made before '64, so you can distinguish them.
For your reference
＜Pickup DC Resistance
(F)5.77kΩ (M)5.51kΩ (R)5.59kΩ
Before '64 (Values are for '63)
(F)6.11kΩ (M)5.84kΩ (R)6.23kΩ
However, the serial number is not always the same as the date of manufacture, since there are some pieces whose serial number and date of manufacture are extremely far apart for some reason, not to mention errors due to changes in the system, including the manufacturing process. The serial number is not always the same. Since some parts can be easily replaced, it is necessary to make a comprehensive judgment including each part in order to determine the actual year.
The pot is a round groove type made by "Stackpole". The pot date is "304-6608," which identifies it as the 8th week of '66.
(*Only the front tone pot is "304-6610", so it is the 10th week of '66.)
The capacitor is an orange ceramic type with a yellow tube wrapped around it for insulation. The switch is the original 3-point type made by "CRL", and the shape of the base is round instead of the trapezoidal (rice-ball shaped) shape of the '50s. The lead wires are usually white and black, but rarely the colored lead wires shown in the photo were also used.
Around 1965, the pickguard material was changed from celluloid to hard vinyl chloride, which is less prone to deformation.
The neck date is '65, but it is a rare maple cap specification. The maple cap was originally an option from '67, so it could be a proto type." The "2" is the Stratocaster code number, and the "JUN (JUNE)" and "65" are the month and year of manufacture, in this case June '65. The last "B" means the neck size (thickness).
Average oval type neck grip. The back of the head has some weather checks, but the grip itself is in good condition with only a few dents.
◎For your reference
＜Neck size
Nut width: 42mm, 12th fret: 52mm
Neck thickness: approx. 22mm (at 1st fret), approx. 26mm (at 12th fret)
Pegs are "Kluson" covered type. KLUSON DELUXE" engraved double-row Kluson (double line), which has been used since 1964.
The "spaghetti logo" was replaced by the "transition logo" in late '64. Small head '65 specification...but there is a patent number.... The decal was supposed to be added in 1966 when the head was changed to a large head, but since it has "169,062" (see below), there must have been a time lag between the finish of the neck and the application of the decal.
The string guide spacers, which were made of metal, were changed to nylon around '64.
The shape from the fingerboard to the headstock is a large gentle curve.
◎For your reference
1st string side: approx. 15mm, 6th string side: approx. 15-15mm
Separate type tremolo block that integrates the "bridge" and the "inertia block" that functions as a tailpiece. The name "synchronized tremolo" was derived from the fact that the integrated bridge plate and inertia block move synchronously when arming. From around 1957, a type with a deep groove for "FENDER PAT. PEND." engraved on the saddle was also adopted, but it seems that not a few of them are confused between the two.
After '65 when it was sold to CBS, a large "F" was engraved on the neck plate. The serial number is stamped on the top of the plate.