What beauty, what rarity, what strangeness we have here! The Fender Coronado II was produced between 1966 and 1972, and although the series never achieved the commercial success of Fender’s solid-body icons, it has since won a loyal following among musicians and collectors, captivated by its unique sound, bold styling, and historical role in Fender’s expansion beyond the Stratocaster and Telecaster. Today, well-preserved examples are sought after both as playable instruments and as iconic collector’s pieces from Fender’s experimental era.

This 1971 Coronado XII in Antigua finish—the rarest of the three available finishes at the time—is more commonly referred to as a Coronado II and is a semi-hollow that holds a special place in Fender’s history. Introduced in the mid-60s, the Coronado line represented Fender’s bold shift toward hollow and semi-hollow guitars, directly challenging Gibson and Gretsch’s dominance in this segment. Unlike solid-body models, the Coronado offers an open resonance and a distinct tonal character, appealing to those seeking visual style and sonic personality.

This example features a laminated maple body with elegantly framed f-holes, a bolt-on maple neck, and a bound rosewood fingerboard with block inlays. The slim “C”-profile neck offers fast, comfortable playability along the entire 25.5″ scale. The two DeArmond single-coil pickups deliver a clear tone—bright in the highs and warm in the mids—placing the Coronado perfectly between the snap of a Telecaster and the chime of a vintage Gretsch. Hardware includes a floating rosewood bridge with adjustable saddles and a very stylish tailpiece that adds a classy touch. The hardware is in excellent condition. The double cutaway and stylized f-holes perfectly reflect mid-60s Fender aesthetics, mixing elegance with slightly quirky charm. The Antigua finish, deep and stunning, is the rarest and most coveted of all Coronado finishes.

This late example from the Coronado Electric XII production run (1966–1972), in the rare Antigua finish, shows no signs of cracks, repairs, modifications, damage, or of course refinishing. The finish is 100% original and reacts perfectly under UV light across the entire instrument. Its condition is exceptional, with only light and beautiful weather checking across the finish and a few tiny discolorations on one or two square centimeters on the back. The condition is insane! This superb guitar will delight both collectors and musicians. The neck is straight, the truss rod works perfectly, and the action is excellent across the entire fretboard.

The original Victoria hard case fits perfectly and remains a very good case. It shows some exterior wear, but the interior is still in very good condition. All latches, hinges, and the small internal compartment door are present and fully functional. And since this beauty also comes with its original hangtag—what a marvel indeed!