Vintage Vibes: 1958 Fender Stratocaster Sunburst

VINTAGE VIBES: 1958 Fender Stratocaster Sunburst

Phil fills us in on this beautiful, one-owner 1958 Sunburst Fender Stratocaster. Dating back to the days of sock hops, malt shops, and one Buddy Holly, this '58 Fender sounds as youthful as ever and doesn't look a day over sixty.

Phil Describes the 1958 Fender Stratocaster Sunburst

We acquired this beautiful 1958 Fender Stratocaster from the original owner and what a story!

This guitar was built in the spring of 1958 when the gentleman was just 18 years old. He purchased it that summer, and it's still making beautiful music today. The body stamp is from April, and the neck stamp is from May. It has a very full, C-shape neck with just a slight V. It's very comfortable to play and just magnificent guitar.

I chose to do Peggy Sue on this guitar because it was a top hit in 1958, and that made me think of the owner. I don't know what music he was into, but I figure an 18-year-old kid in 1958 buying a Fender Stratocaster had to love some Buddy Holly.

In the recording session for the song "Peggy Sue," there were no overdubs. Everything was live in the studio. So to get the sound that Buddy wanted, the rhythm guitar player had to reach over and flip the toggle switch for him, while he kept the continuous rhythm that propels the song. With a little help, this guitar demonstrates that two-tone sound beautifully.