Fender American Vintage '59 Stratocaster

Now is your chance to get your hands on a piece of Fender history with the American Vintage '59 Stratocaster. Preserving Fender's legacy and heritage while delving deep into their roots, the American Vintage '59 Stratocaster was crafted with original tooling and was built in the image of actual 1959 Strat models that Fender got their hands on. As a result, this '59 Strat offers all the authentic tone, look and feel of those sought-after Strat models from early 1959 with painstakingly accurate vintage detailing, period-correct design and classic '59 features. The year 1959 represented major changes for the now-legendary Stratocaster. In early '59, the maple neck on the Strat was carved into a thinner "D" profile, and it still featured a maple fingerboard instead of the "slab" rosewood 'boards that were introduced later that year. Another significant early-'59 feature, the Strat wore a single-ply pickguard with 8 holes instead of the 3-ply pickguard with beveled edges and 10 holes that was used on the later '59 models. Through meticulous examination of original '59 models, Fender was able to re-create the exacting measurements of the original '59 body, neck and headstock with unparalleled vintage accuracy. The accurately carved body is made from alder and comes dressed in an ultra-thin limited edition Aztec Gold Flash Coat Lacquer finish to provide an authentic vintage aesthetic while offering a more natural resonance due to the thinner lacquer topcoat. Vintage comfort and classic Fender playability are ensured by the authentic-spec slim "D" maple neck and the maple 'board that features a period-correct 7.25" radius, 21 vintage-style frets and a true-to-original bone nut. Not only does this Strat look and feel like an actual '59, but it also sounds the part, too, thanks to a trio of American Vintage '59 single-coil pickups. In order to faithfully re-create the unique sonic character of the coveted '59 Strat, Fender carefully studied and researched actual pickups from this model year to ensure authentic design, tone and performance. Offering the modern flexibility that's demanded by the discerning players of today, these pickups are routed through a contemporary 5-way switch, a Master Volume control, and two Tone controls (one for the neck pickup, one for the bridge/middle pickups) for added tonal flexibility. If you have your heart set on more traditional switching, a vintage 3-way switch is included. The American Vintage '59 Stratocaster comes equipped with aged white plastics and accurate, vintage-correct hardware including a 6-saddle American Vintage Synchronize Tremolo, a set of single line "Fender Deluxe" vintage-style tuners and a vintage-style 4-bolt serialized neck plate. Comes complete with an updated deluxe vintage brown hardshell case, a vintage '59 strap, cable and cloth, a vintage 3-position switch, a '50s Strat information kit, and a bridge cover.