The 1958 Fender Stratocaster saw some major changes take place. The first and biggest change is the neck shape. They still have an all maple one piece neck. But, they are thinner than the previous 54-57 Strats and have a D shape to them. This change took place in the March-April 1958 timeframe. I’ve seen some V-shaped necked as late as April 1958 but none later than that. I personally am not a huge fan of the 58 and 59 maple neck. I have heard many over the years that just aren’t fans of the shape of the 1958 Fender Stratocaster necks.
Fender also changed from the classic 2-tone sunburst (amber to dark brown) to a 3-tone sunburst finish (amber to red to dark brown). The 3-tone sunbursts are still pretty but not quite as classic as the 2-tone tobacco sunburst from 54-57. Another change that took place in 1958 was the case. The red interior with the case was changed to a gold color. The outside of the case was still covered with tweed and sprayed with a clear coat of nitrocellulose-based lacquer.
The serial number range for the 58 Fender Stratocaster’s are generally from 25000 to 30000 (some numbers start with a “0” or “-” prefix on the neck plate). But, again, that’s not a hard fast rule. I had one that was neck dated 2-1958 but had a 24000 range serial number. I have plenty of pics of it coming.
See the previous year’s 1957 Fender Stratocaster.
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1958 Fender Stratocaster guitar specs:
- The bodies are made of alder
- The sunburst finish was changed to a 3 color burst. A red color was added in between the amber and brown.
- The neck is a thinner “D” neck shape for most of the year. You will still see some of the V-shaped necks early in the year up until around February-March 1958. As 1958 progresses, the neck back shape gets thinner.
Plenty of details and images coming soon.