1961 Fender Esquire Pre-CBS Vintage Partscaster Guitar Blonde w/ Case
$11,499.99
$11,499.99
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Up for sale, a 1961 Fender Esquire in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with a vintage hardshell case. This unique Pre-CBS “Whiteguard” Esquire pairs an early slab board Esquire neck, electronics, hardware and plastics with a vintage ash body of unknown origin. Lightweight, lacquer finished and properly crafted to replicate golden age Fender spec (right down to a faux pencil date in the bridge pickup cavity), this Esquire’s body pairs extremely well with the otherwise original neck and componentry.
At only 7lbs, this Esquire is extremely lively acoustically, with the midrange detail, note attack and resonance of the string through ash body. The bridge pickup retains its stock windings, metering at 7.9k ohms, featuring beveled, staggered pole pieces and a black fiber bobbin complete with copper baseplate. The pickup is throaty and fat, offering plenty of quintessential Fender twang and punchy low-mids. The third (forward) position on the three-way Tone switch delivers a rounded sound with spongy, sweeping harmonics, significantly broadening the overall tonal range of the instrument, and while toggling to the rear position bypasses the Tone control for an immediate kick with added bite and snarl. This Esquire has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Maple
-Shape: Slender C, full shoulders, measuring .820” 1st fret, .965” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Brazilian rosewood, 7 1/4” radius, clay dot inlay
-Frets: Slender (original), leveled/crowned, very faint wear beneath the plain strings on frets 1-3
-Scale Length: 25 1/2”
-Nut: 1.650”, bone
-Tuners: Kluson-style (replacement)
-Serialization: Five-digit stamp on neck plate
-Factory Markings: Neck heel grease pencil dated 12/61
Body Specs:
-Wood: Ash
-Pickups: Pickup meters 7.8k ohms
-Harness: Original Stackpole pots date to 9th week of 1962, ceramic tone caps
-Controls: Volume, Tone, Three-way Tone selector (Tone Bypass, Standard Volume/Tone, Dark Circuit)
-Hardware: “Pat. Pend” bridge with threaded saddles, flat-top knurled knobs, control plate (all 1961 vintage)
-Plastics: One-ply “Whiteguard” five-screw pickguard, “top hat” switch tip
The gloss Blonde nitro lacquer finish highlights the dynamic grain in the ash body, slightly paler around the perimeter. Cosmetic wear is limited to a few small chips along the edges, light buckle worming central to the back, and a few dings on top at the lower bout. The neck is 100% straight including the waterslide decal and lacquer finish, with some natural palm wear through the gloss and an extremely smooth, inviting feel.
A late ‘60s Fender black tolex hardshell case is included.
At only 7lbs, this Esquire is extremely lively acoustically, with the midrange detail, note attack and resonance of the string through ash body. The bridge pickup retains its stock windings, metering at 7.9k ohms, featuring beveled, staggered pole pieces and a black fiber bobbin complete with copper baseplate. The pickup is throaty and fat, offering plenty of quintessential Fender twang and punchy low-mids. The third (forward) position on the three-way Tone switch delivers a rounded sound with spongy, sweeping harmonics, significantly broadening the overall tonal range of the instrument, and while toggling to the rear position bypasses the Tone control for an immediate kick with added bite and snarl. This Esquire has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Maple
-Shape: Slender C, full shoulders, measuring .820” 1st fret, .965” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Brazilian rosewood, 7 1/4” radius, clay dot inlay
-Frets: Slender (original), leveled/crowned, very faint wear beneath the plain strings on frets 1-3
-Scale Length: 25 1/2”
-Nut: 1.650”, bone
-Tuners: Kluson-style (replacement)
-Serialization: Five-digit stamp on neck plate
-Factory Markings: Neck heel grease pencil dated 12/61
Body Specs:
-Wood: Ash
-Pickups: Pickup meters 7.8k ohms
-Harness: Original Stackpole pots date to 9th week of 1962, ceramic tone caps
-Controls: Volume, Tone, Three-way Tone selector (Tone Bypass, Standard Volume/Tone, Dark Circuit)
-Hardware: “Pat. Pend” bridge with threaded saddles, flat-top knurled knobs, control plate (all 1961 vintage)
-Plastics: One-ply “Whiteguard” five-screw pickguard, “top hat” switch tip
The gloss Blonde nitro lacquer finish highlights the dynamic grain in the ash body, slightly paler around the perimeter. Cosmetic wear is limited to a few small chips along the edges, light buckle worming central to the back, and a few dings on top at the lower bout. The neck is 100% straight including the waterslide decal and lacquer finish, with some natural palm wear through the gloss and an extremely smooth, inviting feel.
A late ‘60s Fender black tolex hardshell case is included.
