1957 Fender Stratocaster

$24995 USD ($35742.85 CAD)
For more details contact us at info@folkwaymusic.com or 855-772-0424.
Brought to us from the family of its original owner, this 1957 Fender Stratocaster has spent its life here in Southern Ontario. Single-owner Fender guitars from the company's golden era are becoming increasingly difficult to find, and it is always quite exciting when they walk through our door. 

This Stratocaster dates to mid-1957, with May, '57 neck and body pencil dates, and potentiometers dating to March '57. This guitar features ABS plastic pickup covers and polystyrene plastic volume and tone knobs. Fender transitioned away from polystyrene plastics to ABS in March of 1957. Seeing a combination of both plastics on guitars of this short era is somewhat common, as the company was using up the last of their polystyrene parts in the spring of 1957.

At some point in the guitar’s life the original owner opted to have the neck refinished, likely to clean up the fingerboard wear that is visible in some of the old photos that accompany this instrument. The neck was refretted and thinned down somewhat at that time, making for a neck profile that is a little less chunky than a typical ’57 carve, and more akin to a 70’s carve. The decals on the headstock are original and intact beneath the newer finish that was sprayed over top. The nut was replaced as well, but the original Kluson tuners remain on the neck.

The finish on the guitar’s body remains completely original, with a gorgeous two-tone sunburst that shows off some honest play wear. The wiring harness remains intact, with all original potentiometers, three-way switch, and capacitor. The only modification to the guitar’s electronics is a replacement middle pickup, which looks quite good and nearly fooled us. The bridge and neck pickups are original and unmodified. There are a few replaced screws, but the guitar is otherwise original.  It’s a fabulous sounding two-tone sunburst Strat, with all the magic these guitars are revered for.

Pickup DC values measure 5.5k / 6.1k /5.4k (Neck to bridge), and the guitar tips the scales at a scant 7.0 lbs. The neck has a first fret depth of .828” and a nut width of 1-9/16”. Neck thickness at the 12th fret measures .948”.

With original hardshell case.