1958 Fender Stratocaster 'Mary Kaye'

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Seller's description

The Fender Stratocaster had already established itself as one of the most important electric guitars ever produced by the time this exceptional 1958 example left the Fullerton factory. Whilst the vast majority of Stratocasters from the period were finished in the familiar Two Tone Sunburst, Fender would occasionally accommodate special factory orders, producing a small number of instruments in alternative finishes and specifications. Among the rarest and most sought after of these are the factory Blonde Stratocasters fitted throughout with 14 karat gold plated hardware, a specification that would later become known as the "Mary Kaye" Stratocaster. Never an official Fender model, these guitars take their name from the famous 1956 publicity photographs featuring musician Mary Kaye with a similarly appointed Stratocaster, and today remain amongst the most desirable and collectable instruments of the entire pre CBS era. This 1958 example is an exceptionally original guitar, retaining all of the features collectors hope to find on a genuine factory ordered Blonde and gold hardware Stratocaster. The translucent Blonde finish displays the striking grain of the ash body beneath, whilst the guitar retains all of the characteristic hallmarks of Fender's original custom colour finishing process. The factory finishing pin holes beneath the pickguard remain untouched and free from paint, and pencil dates remain clearly visible, with the body dated 2-58 and the maple neck carrying a corresponding 4-58 date at the butt. The maple neck features the more late 1950s profile associated with this period, as Fender transition away from the 'V' shaped profile, retaining its original frets and nut, along with the original gold spaghetti logo decal, which shows signs of honest wear acquired over time. The original gold butterfly string tree and factory fitted single line Kluson Deluxe tuners remain present, while the rest of the original 14 karat gold plated hardware survives throughout,