1959 was a significant transitional year for Fender's revolutionary Stratocaster model. The Stratocaster debuted only 5 years before in 1954, but the company had already introduced a higher end solid body electric model it called the Jazzmaster the year before. Many players agree that the updates Fender made to the Strat in 1959 significantly improved the model and ushered in its golden era from 1959 until 1965. The playability of the Rosewood fretboard, colors of the Sunburst finish, and look of the new three layer nitrate pickguard make the 1959 Stratocaster a considerably different experience than the Strats made in previous years.
As a Fender guitar collector, I'm always buying Fender Stratocaster guitars made in the 1950s and 1960s. If you've inherited a Fender Stratocaster and would like help finding the year it was made then you can get help here: Fender Serial Numbers. Or if you're interested in finding out how much I would value your Stratocaster then you can contact me here: Sell a Fender.
Stratocaster Price in 1959 and today
How much did a Stratocaster cost in 1959?
Old price lists are the best way to research the cost of a Fender Stratocaster in 1959. Fender price lists often listed a few different options for each model which varied in cost. This scan of the Fender price list from 1959 shows price of the Stratocaster (no tremolo) at $249.50, the Stratocaster Guitar (with tremolo) at $274.50, and the Stratocaster with tremolo in Blonde with 14 Carat gold plated hardware for $330.00.
Are you considering selling a 1959 Stratocaster? Get in touch here: Sell a Fender.
What is a 1959 Fender Stratocaster worth today?
If we adjust the cost of a 1959 Fender Stratocaster in 2023 dollars, then the Sunburst with tremolo Stratocaster ($274.50 in 1959) would cost about $2,883.58 today. But the value of a 1959 Stratocaster today can be anywhere between $10,000 and $100,000 depending on fretboard style, finish, originality, and condition! You can read more about Stratocaster Values here.
One important note about the value of 1959 Fender Stratocasters is that custom color options are more valuable than the standard Sunburst finish (all else equal). 1950s Fender guitars were offered in a standard finish, but if a buyer was willing to pay a 5% upcharge, one could have a Stratocaster finished in any standard DuCo (Dupont) color. Fender's official custom color chart wasn't offered until the Summer of 1961, so custom color Stratocasters from 1959 are quite rare. Collectors are willing to pay more, so their value goes up. Feel free to reach out if you think you may have a factory custom color finish Fender Stratocaster: Sell a Fender. I'd be happy to have a look to determine if it's an original Fender finish.
How many Stratocasters did Fender make in 1959?
Unlike Gibson, the Fender Electric Instrument Company was privately owned until January 5th, 1965 when Leo Fender and his partner sold to CBS. Leo Fender did not publicize how many guitars they made and shipped each year. The best answer to how many Stratocasters were made in 1959 is - we don't know yet. The data may be out there in a private collection, but no author has put the information together in a usable way yet.
Which features changed for Stratocasters in 1959?
Fender made three major updates to the Stratocaster model (and much of the rest of the models) in 1959: the fretboard/neck construction, the pickguard, and the composition of the Sunburst finish. The majority of these transitions occurred in the Spring and Summer of 1959, so early '59 examples will still look the same as guitars from 1958.
One piece Maple neck to slab Rosewood fretboard
Prior to 1958, all of the Fender guitar necks were constructed of a one piece Maple neck and fretboard with the truss rod installed from the back (excepting some early guitars in 1950). Fender debuted a new model in 1958 it called the Jazzmaster, and apart from some pre-production samples, it featured a thick Rosewood fretboard mated to the Maple neck instead of one piece Maple all the way through. The Stratocaster's one piece Maple neck remained until transitioning to the Rosewood fretboard style in the Spring and Summer of 1959.
1 Ply White to Three Layer Nitrate Pickguard (Mint Green)
Along the same time as the Rosewood fretboard update, the company also updated the Stratocaster pickguard to a fancier three layer nitrate pickguard. The Stratocaster's 1 ply bright white pickguard was updated to a three layer nitrate pickguard in the Spring and Summer of 1959. Celluloid, or Cellulose Nitrate, is an early form of synthetic plastic that's also highly flammable and is also known to shrink significantly over time. Even so, to this collector, it's a welcome upgrade with a striking look.
Soon after the introduction of the three layer (Mint Green) pickguard, Fender added a couple of screws to the guitar likely to resist shrinkage. Some guitars were made with 8 screws, 9 screws, 10 screws, but the standard configuration going forward utilized 11 screws to mount the guard. In order to accommodate the extra screw next to the ton knobs, Fender updated the routing template in the control cavity area with a small shoulder into the cavity so the screw could bite into the wood. The graphic below shows an early 1 ply white guard Strat, a May 1959 Strat with Celluloid guard and 8 screws, and an October 1959 Stratocaster with Celluloid guard, 11 screws, and the shoulder in the control cavity for the extra screw.
Sunburst Finish Color Updates in 1959
The standard Sunburst finish color was updated every year from 1957 until the 1970s or so, but the transition in 1959 is very interesting. The majority of the Sunburst finished Stratocasters in early 1958 and 1958 have a prominent bright red band in the transition from the dark outer rim to the yellow interior, but in 1959, the composition of the red color changed. The new red was less bright, but it also seems to react with light and fade over time. Consider the pictures below that show an early '59 Strat, mid '59, and a late 1959 Stratocaster. My favorite of the three styles is the late '59 Sunburst with the most understated red band.
1959 Fender Stratocaster Examples
Sunburst with Rosewood fretboard and nitrate pickguard
This fine example of a 1959 Fender Stratocaster with slab Rosewood fretboard and three layer nitrate pickguard came through the shop recently. Weighing in at only 7.2 lbs, it's a very light and playable example of the model from one of the best years. This guitar is 100% original except for a rewound neck pickup, replaced nut, and a few intonation saddle springs replaced.
Weight: 7.2 lbs / 3.3 kg
Neck profile: 0.80" deep at the first fret and 0.98" deep at the 12th fret
Pickup readings: The neck pickup reads 5.73k ohms, middle reads 6.02k ohms, and the bridge reads 5.86k ohms.
Do you have one like this? Get in touch with the collector here: Sell a Fender.
1959 Stratocaster with Blonde finish and Rosewood fretboard
I received pictures of this beautiful Fender Stratocaster in Blonde finish with Rosewood fretboard from a private owner recently. The standard finish color for the Stratocaster is Sunburst, but custom colors could be special ordered in the late 1950s. I am looking to collect all nice examples of 1950s Strats, but I am particularly looking for color options examples like Blonde and Black. You can contact me here to inquire about selling a vintage Stratocaster: Sell a Fender.
This Blonde 1959 Stratocaster has an interesting 10 hole thin white pickguard. While I don't have interior pictures of it, the Rosewood fretboard and 10 screw hole pickguard likely date this guitar to the Summer of 1959. It's a fine example and one that I'd love to have for myself.
About True Vintage Guitar
At True Vintage Guitar, I write, photograph, appraise, buy, and sell out favorite vintage guitars from Fender and Gibson made in the 1950s and 1960s. The 1959 Fender Stratocaster is especially dear to me because of its historical significance, playability, and tone. I'm always looking to buy the nicest examples of Fender guitars made in 1959.
You can contact me here to inquire about selling a '59 Stratocaster: Sell a Fender.
Or here if you're looking for an appraisal: Vintage Guitar Appraisal.
