To celebrate the '57 Stratocaster turning the big 5-O, Fender is rolling out the iconic electric guitar in a limited edition with a popular guise: white blonde with gold hardware. These Strats also include a special commemorative neckplate and will only be produced in 2007. The neckplate features the silhouette of a Stratocaster with the 50-year anniversary dates: 1957 & 2007. Although the Strat officially debuted in 1954 with an ash body, and U-shaped neck, 1957 was the year that the specs of the Stratocaster guitar as we know it today all came together including alder body and V-shaped neck.

The Limited Edition Stratocaster is the perfect guitar for players who want the classic look and vibe, but with high performance modern features as well. These features include vintage-style frets, vintage styling, and three American Vintage Strat single-coil pickups. The Anniversary American Vintage Strat is a player's guitar, and sports the signature toneful Fender nitrocellulose lacquer finish.

We purchased this iconic "Mary Kaye" Strat in 2007 and preserved in a climate/humidity controlled environment.  It is in showroom condition.

Model Name       American Vintage 1957 Commemorative Stratocaster®
Model Number     017-1957-(801)
Series     American Vintage Series
Colors     (801) White Blonde,
(Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish)
Body     Comfort Contoured Alder
Neck     1-Piece Maple, “V” Shape,
(Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish)
Fingerboard     Maple, 7.25” Radius (184mm)
No. of Frets     21 Vintage Style Frets
Pickups     3 American Vintage Strat® Single-Coil Pickups
Controls     Master Volume,
Tone 1. (Neck Pickup),
Tone 2. (Middle Pickup)
Pickup Switching     3-Position Blade:
Position 1. Bridge Pickup
Position 2. Middle Pickup
Position 3. Neck Pickup
(5-Way Switch Included in Kit)
Bridge     American Vintage Synchronized Tremolo with “Ash Tray” Bridge Cover
Machine Heads     Fender/Gotoh® Vintage Style Tuning Machines
Hardware     Gold
Pickguard     1-Ply White, (8 Hole)
Scale Length     25.5” (648 mm)
Width at Nut     1.650” (42 mm)
Unique Features     Commemorative “1957 to 2007” Neckplate with Embossed Stratocaster Guitar,
Gold Hardware,
Alder Body,
“V” Shape Maple Neck,
Vintage Styling
Strings     Fender Super 250R, Nickel Plated Steel,
Gauges: (.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046),
p/n 073-0250-006
Accessories     Vintage Tweed Case, Strap, Cable, 5-Position Switch Update Kit
Case     Vintage Tweed Case
Introduced     3/2007
Notice     Product Prices, Features, Specifications and Availability Are Subject To Change Without Notice

To celebrate the '57 Stratocaster turning the big 5-O, Fender is rolling out the iconic electric guitar in a limited edition with a popular guise: white blonde with gold hardware. These Strats also include a special commemorative neckplate and will only be produced in 2007. The neckplate features the silhouette of a Stratocaster with the 50-year anniversary dates: 1957 & 2007. Although the Strat officially debuted in 1954 with an ash body, and U-shaped neck, 1957 was the year that the specs of the Stratocaster guitar as we know it today all came together including alder body and V-shaped neck.

The Limited Edition Stratocaster is the perfect guitar for players who want the classic look and vibe, but with high performance modern features as well. These features include vintage-style frets, vintage styling, and three American Vintage Strat single-coil pickups. The Anniversary American Vintage Strat is a player's guitar, and sports the signature toneful Fender nitrocellulose lacquer finish.
Features

    Made in Corona, CA.
    Body: Comfort Contoured Alder Body
    Neck: 1-Piece Maple, "V" Shape, (Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish)
    Fingerboard: Maple, 7.25" Radius (184mm)
    Frets: 21 Vintage Style Frets
    Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
    Nut: 1.650" (42 mm)
    Hardware: Gold
    Machine Heads: Fender/Gotoh Vintage Style Tuning Machines
    Bridge: American Vintage Synchronized Tremolo with "Ash Tray" Bridge Cover
    Pickguard: 1-Ply White, (8 Hole)
    Pickups: 3 American Vintage Strat Single-Coil Pickups
    Pickup Switching: 3-Position Blade:
    Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Middle Pickup, Position 3. Neck Pickup, (5-Way Switch Included in Kit)
    Controls: Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone 2. (Middle Pickup)
    Colors: (801) White Blonde, Alder Body
    (Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish)
    Strings: Fender Super 250R, Nickel Plated Steel,
    Gauges: (.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046),p/n 073-0250-006
    Unique Features: "V" Shape Maple Neck, Commemorative neckplate, Vintage Styling, gold hardware.
    Source: U.S.
    Accessories: Vintage Tweed Case, Strap, Cable, 5-Position Switch Update Kit, Meguiar's Mist and Wipe Kit

The 1957 Commemorative Fender Stratocaster is a special edition of the iconic Fender Stratocaster guitar, introduced by Fender to celebrate the anniversary of the 1957 model. The Stratocaster was first introduced in 1954, and by 1957, it had undergone several refinements, including the addition of a slimmer neck and other key design improvements. The commemorative model pays homage to the original, combining vintage-inspired features with modern craftsmanship.

The 1957 Commemorative Fender Strat typically includes:

• Vintage-Style Neck: The neck on these guitars mirrors the profile and feel of the 1957 Stratocaster, often a soft “V” or early “C” shape.

• Pickups: The single-coil pickups used are often vintage-style, designed to capture the warm, bright tone of the ’50s Stratocasters.

• Body: These models often feature a contoured alder or ash body, much like the original ’57 Strats, with a variety of classic finishes, such as the iconic sunburst, white, and other period-correct colors.

• Commemorative Markings: Some special edition models include a commemorative badge or engraving marking the 1957 year, often on the neck plate.

The 1957 Stratocaster is known for its distinctive tone, especially its clear, bell-like high end, and its position in Fender’s legacy as one of the most beloved versions of the Strat. The commemorative models are usually produced in limited runs to honor Fender’s history.

Are you referring to a specific Fender model released for a particular anniversary, or do you want more information about the 1957 model in general?

The Mary Kaye finish refers to a distinctive blonde (or light) nitrocellulose lacquer finish that was used on some Fender guitars, particularly the Stratocasters, in the 1950s. The name “Mary Kaye” is tied to a popular 1950s singer, Mary Kaye, who was known to have requested a custom, blonde-finished Stratocaster, which became associated with her name over time.

Key Characteristics of the Mary Kaye Finish:

1. Blonde Appearance: The Mary Kaye finish is a very light, almost translucent blonde color, which allowed the natural wood grain of the body (often ash) to show through. It’s a very subtle and elegant finish that was different from the darker sunburst finishes that were more common at the time.

2. Nitrocellulose Lacquer: Like many of Fender’s early finishes, the Mary Kaye blonde was applied using nitrocellulose lacquer, which is thinner and more fragile than modern polyurethane finishes. Nitrocellulose lacquer has a tendency to age beautifully, developing a “vintage” look as it interacts with the environment over time.

3. Vintage Appeal: The Mary Kaye finish became highly sought after because of its rarity and connection to the early days of the Fender Stratocaster. It’s become a symbol of classic vintage Fender guitars, particularly from the 1950s.

4. Tonewood Visibility: The finish was typically applied over a high-quality ash body, which is why the wood grain was visible through the translucent finish. This contributed to a unique aesthetic, setting these guitars apart from others with more opaque finishes like sunburst or solid colors.

Fender’s 2007 Commemorative Stratocaster and Mary Kaye:

In the 2007 1957 Commemorative Stratocaster, Fender reissued the Mary Kaye blonde finish as a part of their celebration of the original 1957 model, and the Mary Kaye finish was often included in limited runs of these special editions. This made it a coveted choice for collectors who wanted a more authentic, vintage-inspired look.

The Mary Kaye finish is often featured in Custom Shop editions or as a special option on reissues, and it’s admired for both its aesthetic appeal and historical connection to the early days of rock and roll, thanks to its association with prominent players and the culture of the time.

Why It’s Special:

The Mary Kaye Stratocasters are cherished for their rarity, vintage appeal, and iconic look. The finish is a nod to the past and is popular with collectors or anyone looking for a classic, vintage-style Stratocaster. It represents an era when Fender was making some of the most iconic guitars of all time.

If you’re looking for a guitar with a Mary Kaye finish, you’ll often find it in higher-end or limited-edition models, and it can be a beautiful and collectible instrument for players who appreciate vintage aesthetics.