****ORIGINAL***** 1961 FENDER STRATOCASTER **** WILL SHIP WORLD WIDE *** Start Price USD 25,000.00 Current Price USD 25,000.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, October 12, 2008 End Time Wednesday, October 22, 2008 Location melbourne See more about '****ORIGINAL***** 1961 FENDER STRATOCASTER ' Description Fender Stratocaster 1961 Slab Board Original Will Ship WORLDWIDE or PICK UP OK. The Real Deal      Under the bed find.     9.5 out of 10 Best offers considered. Original 4 ply nitro tortoise shell guard. This Original Fender stratocaster has hardly been played and has been kept in a flight case for most of its life. This guitar has never been used outside the smoke free home, never been used on stage, basically its never left the house. I am not the original owner and beyond where i got it i do not know anything about its history. The 2008 official Vintage price guide puts the guitar $30,000 to $44,000 price range and it will only go up from there. Great investment thats better than the share market. The details. Body date 4 / 61 Has 3 nail holes and dowl marks present. ONE piece body. NO ROUTES OF ANY KIND Neck Date 4 / 61 Clay dot Serial number 55XXX Pots dated 23rd week 1961 Single line Kluson Tuners. Original Three way switch Original Nitro Tortoise Shell guard 4 Ply. These guards ran from late 61 to late 67. The darker patch on the pickguard is a shadow only from the lid of the case. The guard has the second upper mounting screw halfway between the neck and middle pickups. The shielding is restricted to the pots. This is the way it was when I got the guitar. My understanding is that this is due to the guard being extra thick because it is 4 ply. ( i don't know i may be wrong.) but it IS an late 61 to 63 original nitro celluloid guard which coincides with other dates. Pat pend saddles. Pick ups are all giving a strong reading in the 6 range. The whole guitar weighs in at 7Lb 5.7 oz. Nitro cell sunburst finish. There is some slight spider checking to the finish, also there are some bumps, scratches etc on the finish but nothing major. Overall it is in outstanding condition considering its 48 years old. The guitar will be sent in a heavy duty flight case that it has been housed in for its protection. Winning bidder to pay all shipping and associated costs. Seller is not responsible for any duties or taxes applicable. Bidders from anywhere else than the US please contact me for a quote regarding shipping and insurance costs. I will accept paypal up to $10,000 only as this is their self imposed limit for items sold beyond that bank transfer or cash on pick up only If coming from overseas or any great distance to pick up a 20% non refundable deposit must be paid prior as a surety. ie if you don't show up you don't get a refund. All sales are final. No zero feedback bidders or bidders with excessive negative feedback as your bid will be cancelled. Any questions please email me. Place a Bid!