The real deal!

I purchased the two tone sunburst model, more on that later. It was love at first sight! This thing is hands down the finest Strat I've owned/played. Let me qualify that. I have owned a '63 Strat, '66, '70, '74, 78 & '79 all Strats. Some rosewood boards some maple. I'm a rosewood guy. I LOVE this maple board. Unreal. Smooth, soft V, I've worked in the Vintage music industry for years and I've played and sold dozens of old Strats. The owner of our shop has three '57 Strats so I know what the real thing is and I'm shocked and amazed that Fender was able to and cared to get this one dead on. The quality, finish, choice of woods is top notch. The tone is fabulous. All the bell tones, the SRV/Hendrix snarl, the spank, quack or "insert your own term here"...The reissue '57 Strat has it all. I read that some guys had trouble keeping theirs in tune. I haven't had that problem. I know Strats are tough to keep in tune, but with a pro set up and if you do the string knot when restringing your guitar, you should have little or no problems. Oh yea, I play this guitar through a '59 Fender tweed Deluxe, a Vox AC30TB and a '66 fender Blackface Super Reverb. I can't find a bad tone! If you're in the market for a Strat, save the extra dough up and spend it on this guitar. I was lucky, my wife bought me mine for my birthday!

original sound

OK. I'm happy with my 57 ash strat. Great sound really original. The only thing i dont like is that it constantly gets out of tune. This explains why in Hendrix recordings especially live, he was constantly tuning his guitar. I'm thinking to upgrading to sperzel tuners very soon. I hope this solves my problem. Otherwise I'm happy with this guitar.

Fender 1957 Startocaster

The 1957 Fender Stratocaster is the epitomy of what describes a Stratocaster. For example the playabilty; the action is exquisite. As many realize the '57 is one of the best examples of what a Strat feels like and plays like. From Blues to classic rock to fusion or country, this guitar will not disappoint even the most discriminating player. I have been playing since 1974 and can honestly report that this re-issue is every bit of the original. From the ashtray to the tuners all is meant for one purpose.....playability and having FUN with your instrument. The only thing I would change if possible is the manner in which the guitar holds its tune. Simply put it doesn't. Possibly due to the "old-fashioned" tremolo. As we all know this was Fenders attempt t a classic. It succeded with one fault. Ya can't keep it in tune. That being said the pro's definitely outweigh the cons. I recommend this instrument for the select few that can afford.....otherwise don't even ask. big bucks but you definitely get what you pay for.