1963 Fender Stratocaster
The 1963 Strat — pre-CBS, veneer rosewood fingerboard, refined construction. These are excellent pre-CBS instruments at more accessible prices than slab-board models. Still Brazilian rosewood.
Current Market Value
* Prices are estimates based on recent market data. Actual value depends on originality, condition, and provenance. Pricing methodology
Specifications
| Body Wood | Alder (two-piece) |
| Neck Wood | Maple |
| Fingerboard | Brazilian Rosewood (now 'veneer' curved board — thinner than slab) |
| Scale Length | 25.500" |
| Frets | 21 |
| Pickup Config | SSS |
| Bridge | Synchronized tremolo |
| Tuners | Kluson Deluxe single-line |
| Nut Width | 1.65" |
| Finish Options | Three-tone Sunburst, Custom colors |
| Est. Production | 6,200 |
Pickups & Electronics
Three single-coil pickups. Gray bottom pickups increasingly common.
What Changed in 1963
The veneer (curved) rosewood fingerboard replaced the slab board in 1962 — 1963 is firmly in the 'veneer' era. The curve fingerboard radius remained 7.25 inches. Gray-bottom pickups began replacing black-bottom pickups.
Collector's Notes
Veneer board vs slab board — significant collector distinction but both are excellent guitars. Verify Brazilian rosewood (pre-1970) vs Indian rosewood (post-CBS era). Gray-bottom vs black-bottom pickups — both correct.