A Hardtail Strat Built for True Fender Purists
The 1956 model year was an important one in Stratocaster history, marking the switch to lightweight alder bodies, a butterfly-style string tree, and an updated neck profile, among other notable refinements. This Fender Custom Shop 1956 Hardtail Stratocaster offers Strat aficionados a superb pre-CBS specimen, boasting a select alder body, elevated by a Heavy Relic nitro finish that looks — and feels — like a gruelingly seasoned road warrior. This 1956 Stratocaster’s 1-piece maple neck showcases a hand-filling 1960 Oval C shape reinforced by a 21-fret, vintage-compound-radius fingerboard. This vintage-inspired axe bristles with all the legendary spank ‘n’ sparkle of an original late-1950s model, fueled by the period-correct might of its hand-wound Custom Shop ’56 Strat single-coil pickups. Additionally, you get a strings-through-body hardtail bridge, bolstered by vintage-style tuning machines. A bone nut, an era-correct pickguard, and an American Vintage ’56–’58 string tree round out this Strat’s assemblage of stellar appointments. Players craving the rock-solid tuning stability and focused sound of a hardtail will find this Custom Shop 1956 Hardtail Stratocaster eminently inspiring; it’s a premium prizewinner for any worthy Fender connoisseur.
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Classic Strat construction — with modern embellishments
Who says they don’t build ‘em like they used to? This Custom Shop 1956 Hardtail Stratocaster boasts exquisite period-inspired construction, featuring a 2-piece select alder body with an offset seam and a spotlight-ready Heavy Relic nitro finish. The neck, carved from a single chunk of maple into a substantial 1960 Oval C shape, provides a robust foundation for comfortable playability. Additionally, the vintage-compound-radius fingerboard, reinforced by 21 Jescar vintage-style frets, offers a high-performance platform for your full arsenal of fleet-fingered fretboard pyrotechnics. Lastly, the neck and fingerboard have received the same Heavy Relic treatment as the body, giving this Stratocaster the playing feel of a well-played, road-battered solidbody electric guitar.
Era-accurate Stratocaster tones aplenty
When it comes to delivering exceptional tones, you’ll find this Fender Custom Shop 1956 Hardtail Stratocaster to be a true treasure trove. The trio of hand-wound Custom Shop ’56 Strat pickups delivers chimey, glassy cleans and chunky grind in equal measure. These sublime single-coils flaunt period-correct construction, supplying you with a focused sound, enhanced dynamics, and a balanced output. Additionally, you get an RWRP middle pickup for hum-free in-between tones, as well as vintage ’54–’58 Strat wiring with a 5-way switch.
Every detail crafted to perfection
You’ll appreciate all of the special finishing touches applied to this Custom Shop 1956 Hardtail Stratocaster. As its name suggests, this instrument is equipped with a 6-saddle, strings-through-body Strat hardtail bridge with bent-steel saddles. Vintage-style tuning machines with Fender logos further solidify this guitar's playing stability, while a bone nut, a period-accurate pickguard, an American Vintage ’56–’58 string tree, and a head-turning Heavy Relic nitro finish mark it as a certified vintage-inspired classic. This Strat has been on our radar ever since it appeared in Sweetwater’s Guitar Gallery; whenever you step out with this guitar, it’s a sure bet that all eyes will be on you.
Fender Custom Shop 1956 Hardtail Stratocaster Features:
- A vintage-inspired Strat with a 2-piece select alder body and a Heavy Relic nitro finish
- Comfortable 1-piece maple neck with a hand-filling 1960 Oval C shape
- Vintage-compound-radius fingerboard, reinforced by 21 Jescar vintage-style frets, delivers fast, modern playability
- Hand-wound ’56 Strat single-coil pickups deliver quintessential Strat range
- RWRP middle pickup for hum-free in-between tones
- Vintage ’54–’58 Strat wiring with a 5-way switch
- 6-saddle, strings-through-body Strat hardtail bridge with bent-steel saddles and vintage-style tuning machines with Fender logos
- Bone nut, an era-correct pickguard, and an American Vintage ’56–’58 string tree
- Deluxe hardshell case, strap, and certificate of authenticity included
