1956 Fender Stratocaster

This 1956 Fender Stratocaster is without question the finest example we have seen, and may well be the cleanest example currently available on the market. The cornerstone of any collection, this 1956 Stratocaster is an exceptional example of a true classic. 

This guitar shows neck and body dates of 5-56, making it probably one of the last run of Ash bodied Sunburst Stratocasters produced before the transition to Alder bodies in mid 1956. The two tone Sunburst finish amazingly shows almost no signs of play wear, with the guitar clearly having been carefully looked after over the course of its life. The lacquer has sunk slightly in to the wood, exposing the grain in places, but otherwise the body is virtually blemish free with only one minor mark to the left of the bridge, and some very light pinstripe lacquer checking and surface swirls.

The Maple neck features the typical rounded 'D' profile used during this period, which would again move towards the soft 'V' shape some time in mid 1956. The neck is in excellent, near unplayed condition, with again no real evidence of any play wear to the rear of the neck, fingerboard or headstock except for the lightest of hairline lacquer checking. The body features the original bakelite single ply pick guard, controls knobs and pickup covers, along with a set of excellent sounding black bottom single coil pickups, which have remained untampered with and feature all the bell like chime and roundness associated with Strats from this period. Again, the plastics are sporting almost no wear and tear accrued over the years. This is the first Stratocaster from this period that we have come across with flat, unrounded edges still present on all 3 pickup covers. 

This guitar is in excellent, near mint condition, and is original throughout. The pencil neck date reads 5-56 with and XA signature at the butt,  with the body date showing a corresponding 5-56 date. The three original Stackpole pots date to the 5th week of 1956 (304 605), and the white box shaped paper cap is also present and correct for the period. The finish shows all the signifiers of a factory correct Fender Sunburst finish, with no paint present in the nail holes beneath the pickguard, and all solder joints intact. The original Fender gold spaghetti logo decal is correct for the period, as are the single line Kluson tuners. The round string tree is present and correct, again marking this guitar as from the first half of 1956. The pickups are the original black bottom single coils, with all cloth wiring and factory tape present and correct. All hardware including the pick guard, knobs, switch, bridge and bridge saddles are original and correct for the period. This guitar also includes its original tremolo arm, bridge cover and tweed tolex hard case, along with a period guitar strap. 

A truly once in a lifetime find in this condition, this 1956 Fender Stratocaster is surely among the finest out there. 

This guitar has been given a full service and appraisal by our luthiers at the Vintage Instrument Workshop, and includes a 3 year warranty.