Vintage Fender Stratocaster - USA 1957

The 1957 Fender Stratocaster is considered one of true classic Strats. Fender switched from Ash to Alder as their primary body wood in 1956, so ‘57 is the first year with all Adler Strats (excluding those with a blonde finish). Also in this year, Fender was gradually switching from bakelite to plastic pickup covers and control knobs, so some variation and mix between the two exist with '57 Strats. This was also the last year of the thicker V-shaped neck profile and the 2-tone sunburst finish. The maple neck and maple fingerboard were still staples.

This guitar has belonged to a high-end collector for number of years, and has and has been kept in meticulous condition. It has a long service history last serviced by renowned Sydney guitar technician Greg Fryer.

This is a fabulous example of an original 1957 Fender Stratocaster. Many Fender experts feel that 1957 is a golden year for the Stratocaster and this one sounds and plays as good as it looks.

It has some minor fret-wear and fingerboard wear which does not affect playability. The neck has the perfect soft “V” shape.  There is plenty of life left in the original frets, and the tuners and truss rod function perfectly. 

The great thing about these old pickups is that they can give you what no new Strat can – from that mellow round, kinda woody tone, to lots of bite and cut from an extraordinary sounding bridge pickup.

The two-tone sunburst finish is in splendid condition. After almost 60 years, sure there are some chips and scratches and some belt buckle rash on the back, but it all adds to the story of a well loved vintage instrument. The tremolo works just fine & stays in tune. The guitar appears to be 100% original, from the frets down to the solder joints.

Included are the backplate & screws, bridge cover, and some lovely 1960’s Fender string sleeves.

This beautiful guitar would make a wonderful addition for a discerning buyer’s vintage guitar collection. A perfect '57' neck profile and light original body add to the ambiance of this handsome 50's Fender.

Comes in its original tweed hard shell which has seen some wear, but is still structurally sound. Its inner label reads - “Cushioned with Comfort Engineered U.S. Koylon. United States Rubber Co.”

Features:

Action at 1st fret: 0.25mm

Action at 12th fret: 1.75mm

Neck depth at 1st fret: 23.46mm

Neck depth at 12th fret: 25.06mm

Nut Width: 42.21mm

12 fret width: 52.23mm

Weight: 3,43kg / 7.57lb

Neck date: 2/57

Body date: 2/57

Pot codes: 304704

Neck plate serial number: -183xx = 1957 

Bridge pickup: 6.33 ohms 

Middle pickup: 6.10 ohms

Neck pickup: 6.29 ohms