1967 Fender "Coronado XII" Cherry Red 12-String Hollowbody
1967 Fender "Coronado XII" Cherry Red 12-String Hollowbody
1967 Fender Coronado Xii (12 stringer)
Made in Fullerton, CA (USA)
"Hockey-stick" Headstock, Block Pearl Inlays, Gold Pickguard
Up for sale is a 1967 Fender Coronado XII 12-String Electric Guitar.
Comes from pet/smoke/child-free home. Adult owned only.
Overall condition is good with some signs of classic vintage wear. Has small superficial scratches and marks on the front/back of body. Some vintage checking and scratches on front/back of headstock. The white binding on side of neck and body has aged and turned into a vintage cream-ish hue. Some surface wear marks on back of the neck from play. Everything is all visual and cosmetic and has no affect on guitar playability.
No headstock crack. Original Fender pickups, pickguard and tuners. Missing plastic toggle switch tip but it's a cheap and simple replacement. Original frets have very little to almost no fretwear.
Neck profile is a slimmer type that players with smaller hands might enjoy playing with. Block pearl inlays adds a nice luxury touch both in feel and visual aesthetic. One of the more lighter guitars which is a plus for those who play and gig standing up.
Pickups sound very good. Great guitar to play songs like "Hotel California", "Wish You Were Here", "Free Falling", etc. Has a nice, clean and chime-y tone which is hard to replicate on standard Fender Single-Coils or Gibson Humbuckers. You could also convert this Coronado XII into a 6-String Electric by removing half the strings if you wish.
Overall a quality sounding 12 stringer and also a nice piece of Fender 60's guitar history.
Will be shipped with brand new Gator Padded Gig Bag.
Comes with:
- 1967 Fender Coronado XII
- Gator Padded GigBag
_______________
Payment must be completed 24 hours upon purchase.
Mandatory Signature Signing Delivery.
________
FENDER CORONADO FACTS:
The Fender Coronado 12-String is a vintage electric guitar from Fender's Coronado series, introduced in the mid-1960s. The Coronado series marked Fender's entry into the world of hollow-body and semi-hollow electric guitars, designed to compete with brands like Gibson, Gretsch, and Rickenbacker. The Coronado 12 is a rare and unique instrument, celebrated for its jangly tone and distinctive looks.
Overview of the Fender Coronado 12-String
History and Design
- Introduced: Mid-1960s (around 1966–1967).
- Designer: Roger Rossmeisl, a former Rickenbacker luthier, brought his expertise in hollow-body design to Fender.
- Purpose: Aimed at players looking for a Fender alternative to popular 12-string electric guitars like the Rickenbacker 360/12.
Key Features
-
Body:
- Fully hollow-body design made from laminated maple.
- Larger body compared to typical Fender models, with an elegant double-cutaway shape.
- Often finished in vibrant sunburst, cherry, or other custom colors.
-
Neck:
- Bolt-on neck construction, consistent with Fender's design philosophy.
- Made from maple, with a rosewood fingerboard.
- Scale length: 25.5 inches, providing a familiar feel for Fender players.
-
Pickups:
- Equipped with DeArmond "Mustache" pickups, known for their bright, clear tone.
- These pickups produce a distinctive chimey sound, ideal for 12-string applications.
-
Bridge:
- Floating bridge with a trapeze tailpiece.
- The floating design contributes to the guitar's airy, resonant tone.
-
Electronics:
- Two volume and two tone controls, with a three-way pickup selector switch.
Tone and Playability
- The Coronado 12 is celebrated for its jangly, shimmering tone, a hallmark of 12-string guitars.
- Its fully hollow construction gives it a warm, resonant quality, while the DeArmond pickups provide clarity and definition.
- The 12-string setup creates a lush, layered sound, making it perfect for genres like:
- Folk rock
- Psychedelic rock
- Jangle pop
- Country
Notable Players
While not as widely adopted as other Fender models, the Coronado series, including the 12-string, has been used by notable players for its unique sound and aesthetics:
- Elvis Presley: Played a Coronado in live performances.
- Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters): Known for his appreciation of unique vintage guitars, though primarily a semi-hollow player.
- Tom Petty-style tones: While not directly associated, the Coronado 12's tone fits the lush jangle Petty often used.
Challenges and Rarity
- The Coronado series struggled to compete with more established hollow-body models from Gibson and Gretsch.
- The fully hollow design made it prone to feedback at high volumes, limiting its appeal for rock players.
- As a result, the Coronado 12 is relatively rare, making it a sought-after collector’s item today.
Modern Reissues and Alternatives
Fender has not reissued the Coronado 12 specifically, but they have revisited the Coronado design with:
- Fender Coronado II (Modern Player Series): Released in the 2010s, this reissue featured modern pickups and construction but was a six-string version.
- Fender XII (Electric 12): A solid-body 12-string guitar from Fender, offering a different tonal approach.
Why Choose a Coronado 12?
-
Unique Sound:
- Offers a distinct, chimey tone that stands apart from other 12-string guitars.
-
Vintage Aesthetic:
- The Coronado's retro design is both stylish and iconic.
-
Collector Appeal:
- As a rare model, owning a Coronado 12 is a piece of Fender history.