Vintage Fender Stratocaster - USA 1957

There’s a reason so many players end up circling back to 1957 Stratocasters. By this point Fender had settled into the softer V neck profile, alder body construction, and the familiar two tone sunburst finish that many people now associate with the classic late 50s Strat sound and feel. They have a very immediate response acoustically, with a clarity and snap that tends to stay with the guitar even unplugged.

This February 1957 example has spent a long time in a high end collection and remains an exceptionally honest guitar throughout. The neck and body dates match, the pot codes line up correctly, and aside from professionally rewound neck and middle pickups, the instrument retains its original character very well. The rewinds were carried out to proper vintage specification using the original bobbins and magnets, helping preserve the balance and feel of the original pickup set.

At 3.43kg (7.57lbs), it has the lightweight feel people look for in good mid 50s Fenders. The soft V neck sits comfortably in the hand without feeling overly pronounced, and the guitar has a very lively response overall. There is a strong attack from the bridge pickup, while the rewound neck and middle positions still carry the rounded warmth and clarity these maple neck Stratocasters are known for.

Condition wise, it presents exactly as a well cared for vintage Strat should. There is light fret and fingerboard wear, small chips and scratches through the finish, and some buckle wear on the back, though nothing excessive or out of place for a guitar approaching 70 years old. The tremolo functions smoothly, the tuners and truss rod operate correctly, and the guitar remains a very comfortable and inspiring instrument to play.

Included are the original backplate and screws, bridge cover, a set of 1960s Fender string sleeves, and the original tweed hard shell case, still retaining its original interior label.

Specifications:

Action at 1st Fret: 0.25mm (0.009")

Action at 12th Fret: 1.75mm (0.068")

Neck Depth at 1st Fret: 23.46mm (0.92")

Neck Depth at 12th Fret: 25.06mm (0.98")

Nut Width: 42.21mm (1.66")

Width at 12th Fret: 52.23mm (2.06")

Weight: 3.43kg (7.57lbs)

Neck Date: 2/57

Body Date: 2/57

Pot Codes: 304704

Neck Plate Serial Number: 183XX

Bridge Pickup: 6.33kΩ

Middle Pickup: 6.10kΩ (Professionally rewound)

Neck Pickup: 6.29kΩ (Professionally rewound)

Case: Original tweed hard shell case

Crafted in: Fullerton, California, USA