There is always something special about a slab-board Stratocaster, but a one-owner 1962 Fender Stratocaster, originally purchased in Belgium, extensively played, and accompanied by substantial documentation, is something truly exceptional.
 
This particular Stratocaster was purchased new by Luis Garcia-Gomez, a local musician, from Ruys Music Store in Antwerp, the official Fender distributor in Belgium at the time. Remarkably, the guitar remained with Luis throughout his entire life, making it a genuine one-owner instrument with a rare and highly personal history.
 
The Story of Luis Garcia-Gomez and His 1962 Stratocaster
 
Born to Spanish parents, Luis Garcia-Gomez arrived in Brussels at the age of eight and went on to spend most of his life as a musician. He became part of the Brussels twist music scene and played with the band Les Frangins, alongside Georges Breval, Luis Gillis, and Bob Bertoli.
 
Founded by Georges Breval in 1961, Les Frangins quickly became an important name in the Belgian twist scene. In 1962, the band won the Grand Championnat de Belgique de Twist, at the height of the twist and early rock ’n’ roll era in Belgium.
 
It was around this time that Luis went to Ruys Music Store in Antwerp and purchased his new Fender Stratocaster, serial number 80688.
 
The guitar was originally finished in Sunburst, as confirmed by the original sales documentation. Its original appearance can also be seen in photographs of Les Frangins from the early period of the band's career.
 
From Sunburst to Fiesta Red
 
By around 1964, the band members decided to repaint their instruments in Fiesta Red, reflecting the strong influence of The Shadows and the British instrumental music scene of the period. Their collection of instruments—including a Precision Bass, Jazzmaster, and Luis's Stratocaster—was given the now-famous red finish.
 
This makes the guitar particularly interesting historically: its current Fiesta Red finish is not simply a later cosmetic modification, but part of the instrument's documented history with its original owner and band.
Luis continued to play the Stratocaster throughout his life. In the 1980s, he had the guitar repainted in the same Fiesta Red color by Leduc, the renowned French luthier.
 
Unlike many vintage Stratocasters that have passed through numerous collectors and owners, this instrument remained with the same musician for decades. Its history is therefore unusually well preserved and can be traced through the original sales documentation, photographs, and the testimony of his family.
We were fortunate that Luis's daughter eventually decided to part with the instrument while preserving its story and documentation. The guitar can now continue its life in the hands of another passionate player and collector.
 
Condition & Originality
The guitar is in good overall condition, particularly considering its age and the extensive amount of playing it has experienced over more than six decades.
Importantly, it retains a significant amount of its original hardware and electronics:
Original black-bottom pickups, retaining their original windings and still delivering a powerful, authentic 1962 Stratocaster tone.
Original tone potentiometers, dated 1962 (3046218).
The volume potentiometer has been replaced with a more recent component.
The saddles have been replaced with 1970s Fender saddles.
The original tremolo block, bridge plate, and tremolo arm remain with the guitar.
All plastic parts are original.
The neck has received a complete overspray, while retaining its original Fender logo.
The guitar retains its original Kluson single-line tuners. One part of the E-string tuner is broken on top, although it remains functional and allows the guitar to be played and tuned.
The guitar comes with its original bridge cover and tremolo arm.
 
 
Specifications
Model: Fender Stratocaster
Year: 1962
Serial Number: 80688
Original Finish: Sunburst
Current Finish: Fiesta Red, refinished
Pickups: Original black-bottom pickups with original windings
Pickup output : Bridge : 6.05 K Ohms  Middle : 5.69 K Ohms Neck : 5.93 K Ohms
Potentiometers: Original 1962 tone pots (3046218); replacement volume pot
Saddles: 1970s Fender replacements
Tuners: Original Kluson single-line
Weight : 3.65kgs
 
Documentation & Accessories
The guitar is accompanied by:
Original Ruys Music Store sales confirmation document
Original band photograph showing the guitar
Original bridge cover
Original tremolo arm
Recent hard case