There aren’t many cooler electric guitars than Fender’s single-pickup solidbody and this is a particularly sweet collector-grade example from ATB Guitars in Cheltenham, UK. Aside from a few minor dings, this instrument is in time-capsule condition, replete with an abundance of case-candy and its original ‘ashtray’ bridge cover.

Brazilian rosewood veneer fingerboards replaced the previous slab arrangement on Esquires in mid-1962, and this ’63 model’s fretboard has a rich, chocolatey hue and is in unworn condition, with only very slight evidence of fret-wear. Its headstock decal is also in pristine condition and the hardware is rust-free.

Opening the orange-lined, black Tolex case the guitar was sold with provides a similar thrill and sense of excitement as it would have some 56 years ago, and inside we find the original manual, strap, cloth, strings, picks and Selmer guitar polish. Pre-CBS Fenders don’t come much more factory-original than this!

Visit atbguitars.com for more information.