This Fender Coronado II Wildwood III is one of the most distinctive designs from Fender's late-1960s CBS era, combining a fully hollow thinline body with an extraordinary dyed-beech Wildwood finish.

Designed during Fender's first serious move into hollowbody electric guitars, the Coronado stands apart from the company's familiar Stratocaster, Telecaster and Jazzmaster designs. Its specification combines a fully hollow Wildwood beech body, bolt-on maple neck, bound rosewood fingerboard and twin DeArmond single-coil pickups, creating an open, resonant response with plenty of clarity and vintage character.

The Wildwood III treatment makes each example inherently individual, as coloured dye was introduced into the wood before it was harvested, allowing the colour to follow the natural grain.

This example is presented in Very Good Condition, weighs just 6.7 lbs, and is supplied with a hardcase.

At A Glance

Detail	Specification
Brand	Fender
Model	Coronado II
Finish	Wildwood III
Era	Late 1960s
Country of Manufacture	USA
Body Type	Fully Hollow Thinline
Body Material	Wildwood Dyed Beech
Neck	Maple
Neck Construction	Bolt-On
Fingerboard	Bound Rosewood
Inlays	Block
Scale Length	25.5"
Frets	21
Pickups	2 x DeArmond Single Coils
Controls	2 Volume, 2 Tone
Switching	3-Way
Weight	6.7 lbs
Condition	Very Good
Included	Hardcase
Main Appeal	Rare original-era Fender hollowbody with unique dyed Wildwood construction

Condition Overview

Very Good Condition

This Fender Coronado II Wildwood III is presented in Very Good Condition.

For a vintage instrument of this age, Very Good represents a well-preserved guitar showing cosmetic signs of previous use and natural ageing while remaining fully functional.

Age-related characteristics can include:

• Finish checking
• Small marks and knocks
• Hardware patina
• Natural ageing to binding
• Light fret and fingerboard wear
• General signs of careful previous ownership

These are entirely consistent with a vintage Fender from this production period.

What's Included?

✔ Fender Coronado II Wildwood III
✔ Hardcase

No additional accessories are included unless pictured or stated.

The hardcase has not been confirmed as the original Fender case, so no claim of originality is made.

Model Naming Note

Despite sometimes being referred to informally as a “Wildwood Coronado III”, the correct model designation is:

Fender Coronado II – Wildwood III

The II identifies the two-pickup Coronado model.

Wildwood III refers to the particular Wildwood colour treatment rather than a third Coronado model.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This vintage Fender has been assessed for general operation and playability.

Checks include:

• Neck pickup operation
• Bridge pickup operation
• 3-way selector
• Both volume controls
• Both tone controls
• Output jack
• Neck condition
• Rosewood fingerboard
• Frets
• Nut
• Tuning machines
• Bridge
• Tailpiece
• Body integrity
• Binding
• General hardware
• Overall setup
• General playability

Service / Setup Work

All pre-owned and vintage guitars at Fair Deal Music are checked for general setup and playability before leaving the shop.

Key areas assessed include:

• Action
• Neck relief
• Fret condition
• Intonation
• Tuning stability
• Pickup operation
• Electronics
• Bridge adjustment
• Hardware
• General playing feel

Vintage guitars can respond noticeably to changes in temperature, humidity and string gauge, so minor setup adjustment after transport can occasionally be beneficial.

What Makes The Fender Coronado II Wildwood III Special?

The Coronado represents a fascinating period in Fender history.

Rather than adapting one of its existing solidbody guitars, Fender developed a completely different thinline hollowbody platform under designer Roger Rossmeisl, whose previous work included instruments for Rickenbacker.

The Wildwood versions took the idea even further by replacing the standard maple body appearance with highly individual dyed wood, producing guitars unlike almost anything else Fender has manufactured.

Wildwood Dyed Beech Construction

The Wildwood finish was created using an unusual process in which dyes were introduced into living beech trees.

As the dye travelled through the grain, it produced naturally irregular coloured patterns.

After the trees were harvested, the resulting wood revealed stripes and areas of colour following the grain itself.

Because this process depended on the natural structure of each piece of timber:

No two Wildwood guitars are exactly alike.

Wildwood III Finish

Fender divided its Wildwood treatments into numbered colour groups.

This guitar carries the Wildwood III designation.

The exact mixture and distribution of colour varies substantially between individual guitars, which is an inherent part of the Wildwood concept rather than an inconsistency in the finish.

Fully Hollow Body

Despite sometimes being described generically as semi-hollow, original-era Coronados are essentially fully hollow instruments without the substantial centre block found in an ES-335.

This gives the Coronado:

• Strong acoustic resonance
• Very low weight
• Open clean tones
• Immediate dynamic response
• Greater interaction with the amplifier

It can also become more feedback-sensitive at high stage volume or gain, which is normal for the design.

Double-Cutaway Thinline Shape

The Coronado body is approximately:

• 16" across
• Around 1 11/16" deep

This creates a comfortable thinline format while retaining the resonant feel of a larger hollowbody.

The double-cutaway shape also provides good access to the upper register.

Bound F-Holes

The Coronado II received more elaborate appointments than the single-pickup Coronado I.

These include bound F-holes, reinforcing the instrument's unusually decorative appearance for a Fender of this period.

Bolt-On Maple Neck

In classic Fender fashion, the Coronado uses a bolt-on maple neck.

This distinguished it from competing Gibson and Epiphone hollowbody designs, which typically relied on set-neck construction.

The maple neck contributes a familiar Fender-style attack and clarity despite the radically different body design.

Bound Rosewood Fingerboard

The rosewood fingerboard features:

• Binding
• Mother-of-pearl-style block inlays
• 21 frets
• Traditional Fender scale length

This more decorative presentation separates the Coronado II from many Fender solidbodies of the same period.

25.5" Scale Length

The guitar uses Fender's familiar 25.5" scale length.

This provides:

• Clear attack
• Firm string tension
• Strong chord definition
• Familiar feel for Fender players

It also gives the Coronado a noticeably different response from shorter-scale Gibson hollowbody designs.

Twin DeArmond Single-Coil Pickups

Original-era Coronado II guitars use two DeArmond-made single-coil pickups.

These provide a distinctive voice compared with both Fender's conventional single coils and Gibson-style humbuckers.

Their character includes:

• Bright clarity
• Open midrange
• Strong note definition
• Excellent clean tones
• Natural hollowbody warmth
• Plenty of vintage character

Neck Pickup

The neck DeArmond works particularly well for:

• Warm cleans
• Jazz-influenced playing
• Blues
• Soul
• Chord work
• Smooth rhythm tones

Bridge Pickup

The bridge pickup provides:

• Greater attack
• Brighter rhythm sounds
• Rock and garage tones
• Articulate overdrive
• Cutting lead sounds

Traditional Four-Control Layout

The Coronado II uses:

• Neck Volume
• Bridge Volume
• Neck Tone
• Bridge Tone
• 3-Way Pickup Selector

This gives each pickup independent control and allows the two sounds to be blended in the middle position.

Lightweight Vintage Feel

This individual guitar weighs only:

6.7 lbs

For a full-size electric guitar, this is exceptionally manageable.

The low weight is particularly appealing for:

• Long performances
• Extended rehearsals
• Seated playing
• Players who find solid Les Paul-style instruments uncomfortable

Coronado II vs ES-335

Although the Coronado appeared during the same period as Gibson's famous thinline electrics, its construction is very different.

Fender Coronado II

• Fully hollow
• Bolt-on maple neck
• DeArmond single coils
• 25.5" scale
• Fender-style construction
• Very lightweight

Gibson ES-335

• Semi-hollow with centre block
• Set mahogany neck
• Humbuckers
• Shorter Gibson scale
• Greater feedback resistance

The Coronado consequently has a lighter, more acoustic and distinctly Fender-like response.

Coronado II vs Coronado I

The Coronado I used a single neck pickup with one volume and one tone control.

The Coronado II upgraded the specification with:

• Two pickups
• Two volume controls
• Two tone controls
• 3-way selector
• More elaborate fingerboard appointments
• Bound F-holes

Wildwood Production

Wildwood-finished Coronados appeared during the late 1960s, with Wildwood versions entering Fender's catalogue around 1967.

Because no neck stamp, serial number or exact production date has been supplied for this individual guitar, this listing does not assign a specific year.

Who Is It For?

Vintage Fender collectors – One of Fender's most unconventional original-era electric guitar designs.

Players seeking something unusual – Few guitars look or sound like a Wildwood Coronado.

Indie and alternative guitarists – Its open hollowbody response works beautifully with effects.

Blues players – DeArmond pickups provide clear, expressive response.

Garage and psychedelic players – The combination of vintage single coils and hollow construction suits more characterful tones.

Studio guitarists – The Coronado offers a genuinely different tonal colour from standard solidbody guitars.

Players wanting a lightweight vintage instrument – At just 6.7 lbs, this is exceptionally comfortable.

Suitable Genres & Applications

Particularly well suited to:

• Blues
• Jazz
• Garage rock
• Psychedelic rock
• Indie
• Alternative
• Classic rock
• Soul
• Americana
• Roots
• Surf-influenced music
• Singer-songwriter
• Studio recording
• Clean guitar
• Edge-of-breakup tones

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	Fully Hollow Electric Guitar
Brand	Fender
Model	Coronado II
Finish	Wildwood III
Production Era	Late 1960s
Country of Manufacture	USA
Body Shape	Double Cutaway
Body Type	Fully Hollow Thinline
Body Material	Wildwood Dyed Beech
Approx. Body Width	16"
Approx. Body Depth	1 11/16"
Body Binding	Yes
F-Hole Binding	Yes
Neck Material	Maple
Neck Construction	Bolt-On
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Fingerboard Binding	Yes
Inlays	Block
Scale Length	25.5"
Frets	21
Nut Width	Approx. 1 5/8"
Pickup Configuration	SS
Neck Pickup	DeArmond Single Coil
Bridge Pickup	DeArmond Single Coil
Electronics	Passive
Controls	2 Volume, 2 Tone
Switching	3-Way Toggle
Hardware	Chrome / Nickel-Style Vintage Hardware
Weight	6.7 lbs
Included	Hardcase
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good

Vintage Specification & Originality Note

Vintage Coronados can show production variation, particularly in:

• Bridges
• Tailpieces
• Tuners
• Potentiometers
• Hardware
• Neck dates

No claim is made that every component on this individual guitar remains factory original unless separately verified.

The core specification listed reflects the established original-era Coronado II Wildwood III design.

Production Date Note

Wildwood Coronados were produced during a relatively short period in the late 1960s.

An exact production year has not been supplied for this individual guitar.

For a more precise date, the following can be useful:

• Neck stamp
• Serial number
• Potentiometer codes
• Pickup details
• Other internal date markings

Hardcase Note

A hardcase is included.

The supplied case has not been confirmed as the original Fender case, so it is described simply as a hardcase.

Power Requirements

None.

The two DeArmond pickups and traditional controls are passive.

No battery or external power supply is required.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

The Fender Coronado II Wildwood III represents one of the most fascinating departures from Fender's conventional electric guitar formula.

Its fully hollow dyed-beech body, bolt-on maple neck, bound rosewood fingerboard and twin DeArmond pickups create a combination rarely encountered elsewhere, while the extraordinary Wildwood process means its appearance is inherently individual.

At just 6.7 lbs, it is exceptionally comfortable for a vintage full-size electric guitar.

Presented in Very Good Condition and supplied with a hardcase, this is a particularly appealing instrument for vintage Fender collectors, recording guitarists and players searching for something far removed from the usual Stratocaster or Telecaster.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Vintage instruments require more care than simply copying catalogue specifications.

Every pre-owned guitar at Fair Deal Music is individually assessed so significant condition points, measured weight and included accessories can be represented clearly.

On this Fender, the Very Good condition grade, 6.7 lbs measured weight and included hardcase are all clearly stated, while unverified claims regarding exact production year or component originality have been avoided.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

When you buy from us, you benefit from:

• Family-run independent retailer established in 1987
• Birmingham's largest independent music store
• 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews
• Expert musician-led advice
• Extensive experience with vintage and pre-owned guitars
• Pre-owned instruments individually assessed
• Clear condition grading
• Secure ordering
• Fast UK delivery
• Large Birmingham showroom
• Friendly support before and after purchase

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Your existing guitar could help towards the cost of this vintage Fender.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects, keyboards and other musical equipment.

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation and find out what your current equipment could be worth towards this Fender Coronado II Wildwood III.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this model called the Fender Coronado III?

Not technically. The guitar is a Fender Coronado II with a Wildwood III finish. Wildwood III refers to the colour treatment rather than the Coronado model number.

What condition is this guitar in?

It is presented in Very Good Condition, with cosmetic wear and natural ageing appropriate to a carefully owned vintage instrument.

What is Wildwood?

Wildwood was an unusual Fender process involving dyed beech timber, producing naturally coloured patterns that follow the grain.

Are all Wildwood guitars identical?

No. Each piece of timber absorbed the dyes differently, so every Wildwood instrument has a unique pattern.

Is this guitar fully hollow?

Yes. Original-era Coronados do not use the substantial centre block found in an ES-335.

What is the body made from?

Wildwood examples use dyed beechwood.

What is the neck made from?

It has a bolt-on maple neck.

What fingerboard does it have?

It uses a bound rosewood fingerboard with block inlays.

How many frets does it have?

It has 21 frets.

What is the scale length?

It uses Fender's traditional 25.5" scale length.

What pickups are fitted?

The original-era Coronado II uses two DeArmond single-coil pickups.

Are the pickups humbuckers?

No. They are passive single coils.

What controls does it have?

It has two volume controls, two tone controls and a 3-way pickup selector.

Does it require a battery?

No.

Is the Coronado prone to feedback?

Like most fully hollow electric guitars, it can become more feedback-sensitive at high gain or stage volume. This is normal for the design.

How much does it weigh?

This individual guitar weighs just 6.7 lbs.

Is that particularly lightweight?

Yes. 6.7 lbs is very manageable for a full-size electric guitar.

Do you know the exact year?

An exact year has not been supplied, so this listing identifies it as a late-1960s Wildwood-era instrument rather than guessing a specific date.

Does it come with a case?

Yes. A hardcase is included.

Is the hardcase original?

The case has not been confirmed as the original Fender case, so no claim of originality is made.

Can I request more information about originality?

Yes. Customers are welcome to contact Fair Deal Music regarding any available component, serial-number or dating information for this individual vintage guitar.

Can I request a video demo?

Yes. Our Request a Video Demo service is particularly useful for this instrument if you would like to see the unique Wildwood grain and individual condition or hear the DeArmond pickups before purchasing.

Can I part-exchange another guitar against it?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers trade-ins and part exchanges across a wide range of guitars and other musical equipment.