1964 Fender Stratocaster Fiesta Red, Very Good, Original Hard

Here's a Fiesta Red 64 Stratocaster. Early enough (April) for a spaghetti logo and all the other pre-CBS features (clay dots, green guard) and why not-CBS wasn't in the picture until early 65). The guard is from a 63 (there is one extra hole under the guard to allow the 63 guard to fit)-other than that, it's original. It's been played and has some battle scars but the color is vibrant and the playability and tone are excellent. The finish was removed from the back of the neck which is pretty common. Switch is still the original 3 way but it's easy to get the "tween" tones. I think this is a good example of a late pre CBS custom color-there is no significant yellowing in the lacquer and the red has that pinkish/ salmon hue that is Fiesta red. Custom colors have all kinds of variations-some have clear coat, some don't, some have Fullerplast undercoat, some are over other colors. It's no surprise there is so much variation. Fiesta Red is unique in that this color is always subject to questions about the originality of the finish. This is because a large number of Fiesta Strats left the Fender factory as sunburst and were repainted when new by the local distributor which was usually Selmer. So, they are refinished but they were never sold as anything but a Fiesta Red Strat. I don't see how that is any different than a guitar that was painted sunburst at Fender and repainted a custom color at Fender-again before it was sold. I've sold a few Selmer Strats and they don't command the same price as a Fender factory finished Fiesta Strat but they also don't get priced as low as a refinished Strat that was clearly another color when sold. Regarding this guitar, I expected to see a paint stick mark but I'm told that some 64's still used the old nail method. But this guitar is out of Europe, so it is entirely possible that it is one of the "Selmer" Strats that were repainted red to satisfy the overwhelming demand for red Stratocasters as played by Hank Marvin of the very popular Shadows. There is no sign that this guitar was ever another color (look at the routs) and there is plenty of evidence that the finish is factory original. Because I'm not 100% certain, I've priced it like a Selmer. Also, this guitar was, earlier in its life, involved in a lawsuit in Germany where the buyer sued the seller saying it was refinished. Expert witnesses were called and the buyer lost the suit-the court determined it was the original finish. Paperwork from the suit is included (it is in German). If the court determined the finish is original, I have no reason to argue the point. But it's still priced as if it's a Selmer. Original white case in fair to good condition with one replaced latch.