Fender Coronado II Value Guide

The 1972 Fender Coronado II represents the final production year of Fender's ambitious foray into the hollow-body market to compete with Gibson and Gretsch. Designed by former Rickenbacker luthier Roger Rossmeisl, this model is highly collectible for its unique bolt-on neck construction paired with a double-cutaway semi-hollow body.

What affects the value of Fender Coronado II?

• Originality of the chrome hardware and plastic components, as these are specific to the Rossmeisl design.
• Condition of the maple body finish, with rare custom colors commanding a significant premium over standard sunburst.
• Structural integrity of the neck joint and the presence of the original hard shell case.
• Functionality of the DeArmond pickups, which are essential to the guitar's specific vintage tonal character.

How to Identify Fender Coronado II?

• Verify the 'F' stamped chrome tailpiece and the distinctive dual DeArmond pickups which are original to the 1972 specifications.
• Check for the bolt-on maple neck and rosewood fingerboard, a signature Fender design choice rarely seen on semi-hollow instruments of this era.
• Look for the 'Coronado II' decal on the headstock and the specific 1972-era hardware configurations.
• Inspect the body for the thin-line semi-hollow construction without a solid center block, distinguishing it from the Gibson ES-335.

History of Fender Coronado II

The Fender Coronado was a series of semi-hollowbody electric guitars and basses introduced by Fender in 1966. Designed by Roger Rossmeisl, who previously worked for Rickenbacker, the Coronado was Fender's attempt to enter the hollow-body market, competing with brands like Gibson and Gretsch. Despite its unique design and association with artists such as Elvis Presley, the Coronado did not achieve widespread commercial success and was discontinued in 1972.