Up for sale is this fabulous early 1968 Fender Stratocaster. With parts dating to January 1968, this guitar is a late example of a “transition“ era Strat. It is has more specs in common with the 1966–67 examples of the instrument. Note the bold “transition” logo on the headstock, which predates the later “Black” logo seen from 1968 on. This is a well-preserved example that saw its share of use. There’s a good reason for that: this things plays and sounds awesome! We all love closet queens. Some of them stayed that way because the owners never bothered to play the guitar. A well worn guitar like this tells you one thing for sure: it’s begging to be played! The pickups definitely give you that classic “bell tone“ vintage Stratocaster‘s are known for. I find these to be particularly meaty in the midrange, with plenty of power and “thump“ in every position. Although it still has the stock three-way switch, the “in between“ spots where are you’d typically find positions two and four are easy to access. The first thing that stands out on any vintage Stratocaster is the neck. This is no exception. The next sports the original finish, larger CBS–era headstock, and bold metallic “transition“ logo. As an early 68 guitar, this is one of the first batches to receive the trapezoid “F-tuners.” The neck profile is a chunky medium with fabulous shoulders. Not quite the baseball bat of the mid-1950s, but definitely on the more substantial end for a mid 60s C-shape. The frets are in decent shape with only modest wear, although the nut has been replaced. The neck has the appropriate factory markings, and has a clear January, 1968 neck date. The body also supports the original finish which still presents very nicely with a vibrant Sunburst. The top has a few nicks and dings to the finish in a few places, and most of the wear is relegated to the sides and the back. The cavities clearly reveal all the appropriate factory markings, which help confirm the finish as fully original. Electronically the guitar is powered by some fairly rare 1968 black bottom pickups. Most are familiar with Fender‘s transition from black to gray Bobbins Around 1964. In the later 60s you see black bottom pick ups reappear from time to time. I’ve had several basses with black bottom pickups, or a mix of gray and black. Often when these show up on Stratocasters from this time period, you’ll see a handwritten date in pencil, which is also visible on each of these pickups, although tough to read in a photograph. The original switch is still present, and the tone pots have the 1966 date codes you would expect during this era. Fender bought a large bulk batch of pots in 1966 that they used until the early 1970s. The pickguard, knobs, switch, screws, and other hardware are original. The saddle adjustment screws seem a bit tall for the era, so it’s possible they have been replaced. But the saddles themselves are original. The back plate is missing a few screws. There is a small chip on the the rosewood veneer parallel to the nut slot in that has been repaired. The volume pot is an era correct replacement dating to early 1966. When I acquired the guitar, the volume part had been placed so I restored it with a vintage one. The pictures here were taken before I installed the era correct pot, so you are seeing it as I recieved it.  The edge of the routes between the pickup cavities had a little bit of “rough” treatment from the factory router. But you can tell it’s all original from the paint over every part of it (see detailed photo). The finish looks to be a thin layer of poly, which would make this an earlier example of the use of this finish. The nut has been replaced.  When the old nut was removed (by a previous owner) a small chip came up off the fretboard and has been professionally repaired.  Near invisible job you probaly wouldn't notive if I didn't tell you.   The guitar was not placed directly on the pebbled concrete for the photos. There’s hidden padding underneath. I am a shop and operate under a business license. My price includes local sales tax. I sometimes take trade-ins and part trades. I offer a trade-in value calculated at dealer wholesale prices as a percentage of what I will resell your gear for.