Pre-CBS Fender stratocasters - what was the best year?

Pre-CBS Fender Stratocasters - the best year was...?

1963 Shell Pink, 1961 Fiesta Red USA 62 Reissue 

The best years for the Pre-CBS Rosewood board Stratocasters were 1959-65. So what differences are there and which is the best year?

This is an early Rosewood neck September 59 on a July 59 body

The change to Rosewood boards on Stratocasters occurred in mid 1959. Likely because the cellulose lacquer on the all Maple boards  in use became worn from repeated finger vibrato and 'string pushing' to bend strings and Fender saw this as a possible issue that might affect sales or warranty claims. The sort of 'wear' you see on some Maple neck 'Relic' guitars.

Another reason is that a separate fingerboard could make production quicker, although the one piece Maple neck previously employed was a real masterpiece of simplicity and great functional design.

The early 1954-59 all Maple guitar necks were a 'U' shaped profile from years 54-56, years 56-58 was a 'V' shape and the October 58 - July 59 all Maple neck was a 'C' shape, a profile that is mostly used on Stratocaster guitars today.

At the same time the neck production was being changed, the Stratocaster pickguards were changed from the white single ply 1954 - mid 59 to the 3 ply 'nitro plastic' guard.

This measure was likely because of the 8 hole single ply guard was prone to 'lifting' at the rear top corner near the bridge - a couple of extra screws and a re-jig of the existing template might have been easier and cheaper as a solution than retooling for a 3 ply guard.

(There are 8 and 10 hole 3 ply scratchplate guards in existence that show that Fender thought that moving to a 3 ply guard alone might alleviate the problem of guard warpage.)

The early 3 ply guards were not without problems, one was cracking, especially near screw holes, there was also the issue of warpage and reaction between the plastics in the 'sandwich.' (The Nitro plastics were also known to react and produce a gas which could dull the chrome plating on guitar parts if the guitar was stored in the case for a long time.)

The cracking was sometimes due to over tightening of the screws, but more often due to the different materials in the ply expanding at different rates, which can happen when a guitar is taken out of a cold guitar case and into a warm room, the expansion rates being different on the Nitro plys, caused unequal movement and eventual stress fracturing.

A change of materials sorted the warpage problem out and a re-siting of screws over the middle pickup area seemed to further help stability. A thin aluminium 'antiference' plate was installed beneath the whole pickguard to cut electrical interference from studio lights etc. from affecting the guitar electrical circuitry causing '50 cycle hum.' 

Headstock logos changed from the 50's version (lower) to the 1960 type (upper)

reflecting the recognition of patents Fender had been granted.

So what are these necks like in construction and use?

The 1959 neck is a nice neck and has much in common with some recent modern Squier guitars for feel and shape - particularly the Classic Vibe 60's series, the 59 used a Rosewood slab board and did away with the walnut truss rod cover and truss rod route channel filler which were used on the all Maple neck.

The necks were refined during the production runs and small changes made to shape and dimensions, as production continued.

1961 Headstock

Rear of 1961 neck with some Birdseye grain showing

fitted with 'Single line' Kluson Deluxe machineheads

7-61 neck date on a pre-CBS neck

(Sir) Cliff Richard holding Hank Marvin's 1960 Stratocaster

Bruce Welch of the Shadows with his 1960 Stratocaster

The 1961 neck had a 1/4" thick slab of dark Rosewood which was slightly curved and the combined neck depth was fairly thin, comparable to a Squier Classic Vibe 60's guitar of today -  in fact I found the CV60's necks almost identical in feel to the vintage 1961.

1961 restored Stratocaster with restored mid 59 Stratocaster

The 1961 was the better year for the 'slab board' Stratocasters and perhaps this is why this profile is used on a number of guitars produced today.

A 1963 Shell pink Stratocaster with curved Rosewood board

undergoing a clean up.

The 63 had the thinner 'veneer' board

1961 ST headstock top with 'slab board'

1963 ST headstock 'Curved' board

The difference in board is clear to see.

The 1963 had 'Double line' Kluson machine heads with 

'Kluson' &  'Deluxe' on separate lines on the rear of the covers.

12th fret neck dot spacing changed in late 1962

to this narrower spacing.

The fret marker dots are known as 'Clay dots.'

Neck here is on a 1963 guitar.

1963 (left) and 1961 (right) guitars

The next change in construction came in late 1962. Likely as a cost saving measure, the decision was taken to change the neck construction again.

Away went the 'slab board's' generous 1/4" plank of Rosewood and in its place came the 1/8" 'veneer.' 

These later necks were often referred to as 'veneer boards', the Maple neck being shaped with a slight radius 'hump' on the top surface to which a thinner piece of Rosewood was glued, thus saving on the more expensive Rosewood. 

British instrumental group 'The Shadows' in 1962

with lead guitarist Hank Marvin (left) & Bruce Welch (Rhythm guitar) right with 1960 ST's

Their use of Fiesta Red Stratocasters created a big demand in Europe alone for the guitars)

Another change during production at this time (around October 1962) was that the 12th fret neck position dots, were moved inwards towards each other around 1/8" of an inch.

The Shadows in the film 'The Young ones'

playing 1960 Stratocasters with Rosewood boards, performing 'The Savage'

 

So what effect did these changes have on the Stratocaster? Having owned a 61 slab board and a 63 curved board, the neck is slightly thicker on the 63 by a minute amount, the 61 is slimmer all round, at the nut  and in profile although they could be made to special order with different thickness of material at the nut.

The Shadows in 1963 with Curved Board 1963 Olympic White Stratocasters

The 62 onwards curve boards had more Maple in the construction so were slightly brighter sounding and the 61 was more bassy and rounded sounding than the curve board and the difference in tone from a 59 'all Maple' to a 61 'slab Rosewood' is evident I found, the all Maple neck has a sharper sound and the 61 slab has a nicely balanced and slightly more sustaining sound.

So, what is the verdict? which is the best? There are a number of factors at play here - playability and feel of the neck, sound, tone and materials.

Most people will go with the feel of the neck and the playability of the guitar. Tone is going to be slightly brighter on a curved board neck but having been able to compare 59,61 and 63 Pre-CBS necks side by side, I would say that the 61 slab board is the best.

It is an interesting fact that you can order 59 Custom shop guitars with Rosewood boards, but the 61 profile is often used on many guitars because it really is the best liked shape.

1961 Stratocaster (top) with 1963 curved board neck (lower)