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These mid 50s Stratocasters remain some of the most sought after Fender guitars ever produced. By 1956, Fender had fully settled into the formula that would define the Stratocaster for decades to come, lightweight bodies, soft V necks, and the unmistakable clarity and attack that made these guitars such a turning point in electric guitar design.

This October 1956 example is a strong player grade instrument with matching neck and body dates, correct 304633 pot codes, and a 160XX neck plate serial number. Aside from a professionally rewound middle pickup by respected Australian luthier Greg Fryer, later 1950s tone knobs, and a refret somewhere along the way, the guitar remains remarkably original throughout.

Weighing 3.3kg (7.28lbs), it has the light and resonant feel people look for in good mid 50s Stratocasters. The pickups deliver the clear, glassy top end and woody attack these guitars are known for, while the soft V neck profile feels substantial without becoming oversized in the hand.

Cosmetically, it wears its age honestly. There is buckle rash, finish wear, chipped pickup covers, cracks to the pickguard, and the dents and marks expected from a guitar that has spent decades being played rather than stored away. It feels like a genuine working instrument from Fender’s early years rather than a preserved museum piece.

The guitar currently comes housed in a non original hard shell case as pictured, though the original hard shell case is also available.

Specifications:

Action at 1st Fret: 0.5mm (0.019")

Action at 12th Fret: 2.0mm (0.078")

Neck Depth at 1st Fret: 23.43mm (0.92")

Neck Depth at 12th Fret: 25.15mm (0.99")

Nut Width: 41.79mm (1.64")

Width at 12th Fret: 51.76mm (2.03")

Weight: 3.3kg (7.28lbs)

Neck Date: 10/56

Body Date: 10/56

Pot Codes: 304633

Neck Plate Serial Number: 160XX

Bridge Pickup: 5.53kΩ

Middle Pickup: 6.10kΩ (Rewound by Greg Fryer)

Neck Pickup: 5.58kΩ

Neck Profile: Soft V

Case: Non original hard shell case pictured, original hard shell case included

Crafted in: Fullerton, California, USA