The 1957 Stratocaster is the maple-neck Strat at its most settled, three years after launch, and this one is built to that spec. Gloss nitrocellulose lacquer over alder or ash depending on the finish (the 2-Color Sunburst is alder, the Vintage Blonde ash), a 1-ply parchment pickguard and three Pure Vintage '57 single-coils.
The neck is a one-piece maple '57 "V" with a 7.25" radius and vintage tall frets. The V shape sits well in the palm for thumb-over playing, and the round radius suits chords. Very wide bends may want the action set slightly higher. The tremolo is the vintage synchronized unit with bent steel saddles and a screw-in arm.
The American Ultra Luxe Vintage '50s Stratocaster uses the same pickups on a flatter compound-radius neck with stainless frets. For the early '60s version with a rosewood board, see the 1961 Stratocaster. Offered in Vintage Blonde, 2-Color Sunburst and Black, with left-handed Vintage Blonde and 2-Color Sunburst.
SPECIFICATIONS
BODY
Country of Origin: USA
Body Material: Ash or Alder (by finish)
Body Finish: Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Shape: Stratocaster
Pickguard: 1-Ply Parchment
NECK
Neck Material: 1-Piece Maple
Neck Construction: 4-Bolt
Neck Finish: Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Neck Shape: 1957 "V"
Fingerboard Radius: 7.25" (184.1 mm)
Fingerboard Material: Maple
Position Inlays: Black Dot
Side Dots: Black
Number of Frets: 21
Fret Size: Vintage Tall
Truss Rod: Vintage-Style Butt Adjust
Nut Material: Bone
Nut Width: 1.650" (42 mm)
Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
ELECTRONICS
Bridge Pickup: Pure Vintage '57 Single-Coil Strat
Middle Pickup: Pure Vintage '57 Single-Coil Strat
Neck Pickup: Pure Vintage '57 Single-Coil Strat
Pickup Configuration: SSS
Controls: Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck/Middle Pickups), Tone 2. (Bridge Pickup)
Switching: 5-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup, Position 3. Middle Pickup, Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup, Position 5. Neck Pickup
HARDWARE
Bridge: Pure Vintage Synchronized Tremolo with Bent Steel Saddles
Hardware Finish: Nickel/Chrome
Tuning Machines: Fender Vintage-Style
Tremolo Arm: Screw-In
Pickup Covers: Aged White
Control Knobs: Aged White
Strap Buttons: Vintage-Style
Strings: Fender USA 250R Nickel Plated Steel (.010-.046 Gauges), PN 0730250406
CASE
Case: Included: Vintage-Style Tweed (Crushed Red Interior)