The 1957 Fender Stratocaster is considered one of true classic Stratocasters. Fender switched from Ash to Alder as their primary body wood in 1956, so ‘57 is the first year with all Adler strats (excluding those with a blonde finish). Also in this year, Fender was amidst a gradual switch from bakelite to plastic pickup covers and control knobs, so some variation and mix between the exist within '57 Strats. This was also the last year of the thicker V-shaped neck profile.

Years of Production: 1954 - present

Unique to this Year: Strats from 1957 include a mix of bakelite and plastic knobs and pickup covers as transition was still taking place. Also last year of V-shaped neck profile and "2-tone" sunburst finish. 

Body Style: Solidbody 

Wood Composition: Alder body, Maple neck with Maple fingerboard

Design Elements: Bolt-on neck, dot inlays, 3 single-coil pickups, 3-way pickup selector

Finish Specifications: 1957 was the last year of the "2-tone" sunburst finish as the "3-tone" sunburst was introduced in 1958. Blonde and black were available as custom finishes. 

Notable Players:  Bob Dylan, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimi Hendrix