Fender Guitars - 1959 Stratocaster - 3-Tone Burst - Maple Neck - Vintage
$39,500.00
In Stock
Payment via Wire Transfer preferred. Buyers pays shipping.
This 1959 Fender Stratocaster is an incredible electric guitar from a bygone era. Fender's evolution of the Strat took the specs and appointments in so many different directions, even in the '50s, and this maple board build is a wonderful example of a late '50s Fender.
From early in '59, the neck and body both date to February which corresponds to the 8-hole single-ply pickguard which changes to mint later that year, making this one of the last Strats with this particular mid-to-late '50s guard. One of our favorite aspects of this particular pickguard is just how stable it is in comparison to the later nitrate 3-ply guards, allowing access to the electronics without fear of the pickguard shrinking.
The original pickups deliver that classic vintage Strat sound, with the original 3-way switch present, having avoided the swap to a 5-way. The pickups sound lush, with a huge dynamic range for a single-coil guitar. The one-piece Maple neck really delivers that responsive, articulate attack with the two-piece alder body is resonant, you can feel the body and neck resonate in the hand while playing.
The slab-cut Maple neck feels incredible in hanbd, with the original finish present on the fingerboard. The original frets are here and are low after decades of playwear. In an effort to preserve the original patina, finish and feel of the fingerboard the descion has been made to forego a refret, and let the next caretaker of the guitar make that decision, rather than making it for them.
The volume pot has been replaced, and judging by the pot, it was replaced many years ago with a long-lug amp style F2 250k Centra lab pot, with one of the coolest manufacturer stickers on the pot that we've seen (see photos).
The original 3-tone sunburst nitro finish looks gorgeous with appropriate playwear for played-in Strat. All three colors to the burst are still present, including the red which so often fades out over time.
Save for this one volume pot the guitar is completely original. All five springs on the tremolo and the original trem block present. The saddles are a mismatch grouping, which corresponds to this being a transitional era guitar, with 3 saddles being the previous-style and 3 being what becomes the new standard. The Strat was an ever evolving model for Leo Fender and the Fullerton crew, with several mini-eras of different design changes with this is an incredible example of a very specific moment in the Strat's evolution.
The ash-try bridge cover has long since been lost to time. The single-ply back plate is included in the case, with a pair of screw holes having cracked it was elected by the previous owner to leave it off the guitar which we have done as well. A vintage strap, and the tremolo bar are included in the gorgeous original tweed hardshell case. Weighing in at 7 lbs 8 oz, this is a balanced, resonant, beautiful vintage Strat.
Feel free to reach out with any questions and an in-hand examination.
