1958 Fender Stratocaster
The 1958 Stratocaster is a transitional gem — introducing the 3-color sunburst and alder body while retaining the maple fingerboard for its final full year. Both 2-color and 3-color examples exist, making 1958 dating nuanced.
Current Market Value
* Prices are estimates based on recent market data. Actual value depends on originality, condition, and provenance. Pricing methodology
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Recent Sales
Showing 10 verified sales for 1958 Fender Stratocaster. Reissues, replicas, and parts listings are filtered out.
Specifications
| Body Wood | Alder (transitioning from ash on sunburst models) |
| Neck Wood | Maple |
| Fingerboard | Maple (integral, last year before rosewood transition) |
| Scale Length | 25.500" |
| Frets | 21 |
| Pickup Config | SSS |
| Bridge | Synchronized tremolo |
| Tuners | Kluson Deluxe single-line |
| Nut Width | 1.65" |
| Finish Options | 3-Color Sunburst (introduced), 2-Color Sunburst, Custom Colors |
Pickups & Electronics
Three staggered-pole single-coil pickups. 1958 pickups are tonally excellent — wound with Formvar before the transition to Plain Enamel wire.
What Changed in 1958
The 3-color sunburst was introduced in mid-1958, replacing the 2-color. Body wood shifted to alder for sunburst models. Last year of the maple fingerboard before the 1959 rosewood transition.
Collector's Notes
Early 1958 examples have 2-color sunburst; mid-to-late have 3-color. The maple fingerboard is a key identifier — 1959 Strats have rosewood. Custom Colors from 1958 are among the most valuable Fenders.
How to Authenticate a 1958 Fender Stratocaster
Check the serial number on the neck plate (or headstock for later models). Fender serial numbers were not strictly sequential — the neck date stamp (penciled on heel) and body date stamp (neck pocket) are more reliable for precise dating. The neck date stamp (penciled on the heel, visible when the neck is removed) is the single most reliable dating method for Fender guitars. Body dates in the neck pocket or under the pickguard corroborate. Pot codes should read 304 (Stackpole) or 140 (CTS) followed by date codes from 1957-1958. Pots should predate the guitar by no more than 12-18 months. The finish should be nitrocellulose lacquer — under UV/blacklight, original nitro fluoresces differently than modern polyester or polyurethane. Nitro finishes check (develop fine cracks) and wear naturally. Refinished guitars often have a too-perfect look. One-piece maple neck with no separate fingerboard — verify this construction. Pre-CBS Fender (before January 1965 acquisition). Spaghetti logo on headstock. Cloth wiring throughout. Three-way switch (five-way not available until mid-1970s). Kluson tuners. Contoured body (alder or ash). Three single-coil pickups with staggered pole pieces. Synchronized tremolo bridge. Verify correct pickup configuration and tremolo block material for 1958. Check for replaced tuners (original Kluson Deluxe single-line should be present), refrets, body routing modifications, and any filled screw holes. Original custom color finishes are verified by examining color in pickup cavities and under the pickguard. Original case adds provenance value.