1966 Fender Coronado I

Fender introduced the Coronado series in 1966, the year this guitar was made. There were three Coronado guitar models, the single pickup Coronado I, the double pickup Coronado II and the 12-string Coronado XII. There were also two cosmetic variations, the Wildwood series, which was made from beech that was injected with colored dyes, and the Antigua series, which had a yellow and brown sunburst that was also available on other Fender models. The Coronado was designed for Fender by Roger Rossmeisl, a former Rickenbacker designer. The Coronado was supposed to compete with other thinline hollow bodies like the Epiphone Casino and the Gibson ES-330, as well as various Gretsch and Rickenbacker models. Fender’s guitar never gained traction in the marketplace so it was discontinued in 1970.

Not only is this Coronado I in great condition, it is finished in Lake Placid Blue, a rare custom color. Its single pickup has a bright, jangly tone and was made by DeArmond, a pickup company that made pickups usually found in Gretsch guitars. It has a great tone and it plays very well, but because it was only made for four years, not many players these days know that it exists. It’s not ultra-cheap at the price of $2395, but compared to other custom color Fender guitars like this Fiesta Red Strat, which is priced at $24,738, it’s a bargain. If you’d like to have the only Lake Placid Blue Fender Coronado I on your block get in touch with the folks at Olivia’s Vintage Guitars and they would be happy to make your dreams come true.