The California Strat is identical to the ’62 reissue in most respects. C-shaped neck (my personal favorite). The three-ply pickguard is there, as are the traditional single-coil pickups, joined to that desirable five-way switch. Little details, like Kluson-style slotted tuners and mouth-watering colors like Candy Apple Red, Lake Placid Blue, and Black, make this guitar all but impossible to differentiate from a regular ’62 reissue.

The story goes that the California series guitars were instruments that came to life stateside, were shipped to Mexico for painting, then returned to the U.S. for final assembly. In fact, unofficial word is that this guitar was so good it was taking away sales from the regular American Standard series as well as the ’57 and ’62 reissues. Whatever Fender’s rationale, the California series guitars are no longer available. Too bad, because this is an excellent Strat.