The Coronado 1 is a unique instrument in the Fender family. The fully hollow, twin cutaway model was Fender’s answer to the influx of thin bodied semi acoustic guitars into the market. Rickenbackers, Gretsches, Gibson 335s, Epiphone Casinos, were all the rage and Fender wanted in on the action.
The Coronado 1 is a fully hollow, maple bodied guitar with a single Dearmond P90 in the neck position. It really does feel halfway between a Strat and a Gibson 330. The neck profile is very Strat like, compounded by the similar scroll headstock. The 25.5” scale length and maple body combine to give it a bright, snappy feel.
The neck date on this guitar is September 66, which puts construction right around late 1966/1967. This Coronado 1 is in excellent condition. The neck is nice and straight with a good low action, currently at a low 1.7mm at the 12 fret. The guitar is strung up with 10-46 gauge strings and has a tremendously comfortable feel with the 7 1/4” radius and slim C profile neck. The frets are in quite good shape however there is some well warranted signs of light fret wear around the lower 5 frets. DeArmond have been a well regarded pickup manufacturer since the very early days of electric guitars, and this pickup reminds us why. This original DeArmond neck pickup sounds pick and full with ample clarity. Being a fully hollow body, this will feedback at louder volumes. But that’s part of the fun, right?
There’s minimal damage to this instrument. It has been well looked after. There are the usual light chips on the nitro finish, but no structural issues. The binding is also in great shape for a guitar of this vintage.
This is a super cool 60s Fender with great looks, tone and playability and all the vibe you could ask for.
Brand: Fender Model: Coronado 1 Country: USA Year: 1966 Serial: 178XXX Case: HSC Body Colour: Cherry Burst Neck Colour: Natural Finish Type: Nitro Body Material: Maple Neck Material: Maple Fretboard Material: Rosewood Scale Length: 25.5” Frets: 21 Neck Radius: 7 1/4” Action (Low E): 1.7mm Neck Profile: C Nut Width: 41.8mm 12th Fret Width: 51.2mm 1st Fret Depth: 21.6mm 12th Fret Depth: 21.8mm Pickups: Original Resistance: 7.08k Electronics: Volume/Tone Knobs: Original Pick Guard: 4 ply Hardware: Chrome Weight: 2.35kg
