Fender Strat Timeline question '56 - '57

[Dylan61]

What are the differences between the Vintage '56 and '57 Strat, what did change.

Someplace where I can red about it?

[eric-d]

Uhmmm.... The only things that I can think of right now is the contour of the back of the neck and the string tree. I think it went from a fat soft (rounded "V") to a sharp "V" and they went from the round string tree to the "butterfly" clip.

[George Johnson]

The "single line" Klusons also showed up in late '56 and the bakelite parts disappeared in early '57.

[hogy]

Early '56s still have ash bodies, later '56s are alder. Also, some '56s still have linear taper pots, in '57 they're all audio taper.

[Formvar]

The main differences between a `56 and `57 are generally:
-Ash (first part of `56) to Alder bodies
-Round (first part of `56) to Rectangular string tree
-Neck shape transition to a more pronounced V
-Bakelite parts become phased out during `57

Check out Clay`s site. It has a wealth of info: http://www.provide.net/~cfh/fender2.html#strat

:BEER

[DGDGBD]

Gotta love this forum for getting timely expert information.:AOK

[qwer]

1956
Specs: Alder body instead of ash (except for the blonde finish that remains ash), rectangular string tree replaces the round tree, in October the neck profile becomes a "soft V", tuners now say "Kluson Deluxe"

1957
Specs: "Bakelite" pickup covers and knobs are replaced by vinyl (early '57 instruments may have a mix of bakelite and vinyl), neck profile becomes a more pronounced "V".