Description: 1957 Fender Stratocaster guitar
Available: 1954 to present.
Collectibility Rating: A-
Production: no official (or unofficial) production numbers available.
General Comments:
The Fender Stratocaster guitar is probably the most popular solidbody electric guitar ever made. Early models (1954 to 1965, known as "pre-CBS" models, since CBS Broadcaster Company bought Fender in January 1965) are the most collectible. Originality and condition are the two most important features of a vintage Fender Stratocaster guitar, and Fender Strats do seem to have been easily modified (due to their "bolt together" nature).

The 1957 Fender Stratocaster is considered a "classic" year by most with its two-tone sunburst finish on an Alder body wood with a Maple "V" neck. The change in plastic from "bakelite" (polystyrene) to ABS took place in the spring of 1957. Though I personally like the look and feel of "Bakelite" plastic better, it is far more fragile and often broken or missing.

Serial number range for the 57 Fender Stratocaster are generally 16000 to 25000 (some numbers with a "0" or "-" prefix on the neck plate). If you need to figure out the exact year of your pre-CBS Fender Stratocaster, use the serial number and the general features of the guitar. The serial number is located on the back metal neck plate. See the Fender Serial Number Info web page for help determining the year.

If you have a vintage pre-CBS Fender Stratocaster guitar for sale, please let me know. I am a private vintage guitar collector (not a store), and you can contact me at cfh@provide.net

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Spring 1957 Fender Stratocaster guitar specs:

• ABS plastic knobs and pickup covers replace "bakelite" (Polystyrene). Many spring 1957 Strats have a mix of Bakelite and ABS parts, with ABS pickup covers yet bakelit knobs - this happened because the bakelite pickup covers ran out of stock first, so for a month or two of production some 1957 Strats can have ABS pickup covers and bakelite knobs).
• Most 1957 Strats have a neck with a "strong V" backshape.