Fender Electric XII (1966) Sunburst

1966 Fender Electric XII, Sunburst

This 1966 Fender Electric XII is a mid-60s example of Fender's electric 12-string, finished in classic three-tone sunburst, with original frets and all-original electronics. Introduced in 1965 to ride the folk-rock boom sparked by the Byrds, the Electric XII was built for just five years before being discontinued in 1969, and it has become one of the most collectible offsets of the early CBS era.

Serial number 119241 on the "F" neck plate places it in the earlier part of Fender's 1966 production, which fits the dot inlay fingerboard used before Fender moved to block inlays later that year.

The Electric XII Story

Rather than add six strings to an existing model, Leo Fender designed the Electric XII from scratch, with an offset body, a long "hockey stick" headstock to fit twelve tuners in a line, and a twelve-saddle bridge so every string could be intonated individually. It went on to appear on some of the most famous records of the era: Jimmy Page used one on "Stairway to Heaven", Pete Townshend on The Who's Tommy, and Eric Clapton on Cream's Disraeli Gears.

Tone & Construction

The alder offset body carries two split single-coil pickups, a design unique to the Electric XII, selected through a four-way rotary switch for neck, bridge, both together, or both out of phase. The strings load through the body for added sustain, and the result is that shimmering 60s jangle with more punch and clarity than most 12-strings.

The maple neck has a rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, a 25.5" scale and 21 frets. The headstock carries the Fender transition logo with "Electric XII" beneath it.

Condition & Originality

Used, but well looked after for its age. The finish shows honest play wear consistent with nearly 60 years of use, most noticeably on the back and around the edges, and there are some signs of black paint retouching on the bevel on the back. The frets are original, with plenty of life left in them, and the electronics are all original.

Highlights

• Genuine 1966 Fender Electric XII, made from 1965 to 1969 only
• Serial 119241, early 1966 production
• All-original electronics and original frets
• Three-tone sunburst finish with tortoiseshell pickguard
• Dot inlay fingerboard, before the switch to blocks later in 1966
• Iconic hockey stick headstock with transition logo
• Split single-coil pickups with four-way rotary selector
• Twelve-saddle bridge, strings through body
• The model played by Jimmy Page, Pete Townshend and Eric Clapton

Specifications

• Model: Fender Electric XII
• Year: 1966
• Serial number: 119241
• Body: Alder, offset
• Finish: Three-tone sunburst
• Neck: Maple
• Fingerboard: Rosewood, dot inlays
• Frets: 21, original
• Scale length: 25.5"
• Headstock: Hockey stick, transition logo
• Tuners: Fender "F"
• Pickups: Two split single-coils, original
• Controls: Volume, tone, four-way rotary pickup selector
• Bridge: Twelve-saddle, strings through body
• Pickguard: Tortoiseshell
• Neck plate: Fender "F", serial 119241