“The Strat, for me, is like an old friend. I can get a lot of personality and expression out of it.” – Hank B. Marvin.
Hank Marvin and the Fender Stratocaster have a long and rich history. His first Strat being hand delivered to him from good friend Cliff Richard, is rumoured to have been the first Stratocaster to arrive in England. This, of course, being the famous faded Fiesta Red Strat that catapulted their popularity, putting Fender Strats on the map all over the globe. Everybody wanted a red Strat from this point on – quite the phenomenon!
It would be fair to say that Hank knows a good Strat when he sees one – and this particular ’57 here at PREMIER GUITARS is no exception.
This ’57 Strat has an extremely special history – being owned by Hank Marvin for approximately 20 years from 1982 – 2002. The guitar is accompanied by a laminated note signed by Hank proving his ownership, a large photo of Hank holding the actual guitar, and three Fender catalogues – 1 original from 25th July 1957, and two that are reprints. The guitar comes with its original tweed Koylon case in exceptional condition and another tweed case from the same period. This ’57 Strat is the full package, a collector’s dream!
The 1957 Fender Stratocaster is considered one of true classic Strats. Fender switched from Ash to Alder as their primary body wood in 1956, so ‘57 is the first year with all Alder Strats (excluding those with a blonde finish). Also in this year, Fender was gradually switching from Bakelite to plastic pickup covers and control knobs, so some variation and mix between the two exist with '57 Strats. This was also the last year of the thicker V-shaped neck profile and the 2-tone sunburst finish. The maple neck and maple fingerboard were still staples.
This is a fabulous example of an original 1957 Fender Stratocaster. Many Fender experts feel that 1957 is a golden year for the Stratocaster and this one sounds and plays as good as it looks.
It has some very minor fret-wear which does not affect playability. The neck has the perfect soft “v” shape. There is plenty of life left in the original frets, the action is nice and low, and the tuners and truss rod function perfectly.
The great thing about these old pickups is that they can give you what no new Strat can – from that mellow round, woody tone, to lots of bite and cut from an extraordinary sounding bridge pickup.
The two-tone sunburst finish is in splendid condition. After almost 67 years, this Strat is remarkably clean, with only a few bumps and bruises and very few chips in the finish at all – such a wonderful instrument in every way. The tremolo works just fine & stays in tune. The guitar appears to be 100% original, from the frets down to the solder joints.
This Hank Marvin-owned ’57 Strat would make a wonderful addition for a discerning buyer’s vintage guitar collection. A perfect '57 neck profile and light original body add to the ambiance of this handsome 50's Fender, not to mention its rich and rare history and incredible provenance.
Features:
Action at 1st Fret: 0.25mm
Action at 12th Fret: 1.5mm
Neck Depth at 1st Fret: 23.38mm
Neck Depth at 12th Fret: 25.19mm
Nut Width: 42.16mm
Width at 12th Fret: 51.62mm
Weight: 3.31kg / 7.31lb
Neck date: 7/57
Body date: 6/57
Pot codes: 304715 (April 1957)
The neck plate serial number is -180xx = 1957
Bridge pickup: 5.72k ohms
Middle pickup: 6.26k ohms
Neck pickup: 5.72k ohms
Neck material: Maple
Fretboard inlays: Black Dot
Body: Alder
Body size at lower bout: 320mm
Tuners: Kluson Single Line
Pickguard: Single ply white
Bridge: Original Fender Tremolo
Electronics: Original
Hardware: Nickel and chrome
