Headstock shape
'50s vs "large" headstock, Courtesy of Cesco's Corner
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Stratocaster headstock had an asymmetric design and six in a row tuning machines. Those made between ’54 and ’55 featured smoother edges, whilst headstocks made in the following years featured sharper and cleaner edges.
The so called big or large headstock, first introduced in December 1965, was characterized by a prominent lower extension and was of the more evident changes of the new CBS management. Indeed, CBS standardized the headstocks of all Fender guitars except the Telecaster using the larger Strat-style design in 1966, so that the Stratocaster, Jazzmaster, Jaguar, Mustang and Duo-Sonic guitars all had quite the same headstock, whereas they all had slightly different ones before 1966. |
In general, Stratocaster headstock became slightly thicker, with substantial differences in 1963, 1967 and in 1971.
Comparison between the back face of the headstock of a 1954 stratocaster, with smoother shapes, and another form 1961
At the 1980 NAMM show Fender unveiled the Strat. Its unique headstock, designed by Gregg Wilson, is often described as “atrophied” and not very attractive, and is frequently called Lead II headstock.
In the autumn of 1981, the small headstock was finally reinstated, although not quite the same as those made in the pre-CBS era. It was first featured on the 1981 Standard Stratocaster, nicknamed Smith Strat, and thus it is dubbed Smith headstock by Fender enthusiasts. It was later used on the 1983 Standard Stratocaster, on the Elite Stratocaster (Gold and Walnut versions included), on the 1982 and 1983 Strats, and on the first Vintage reissues.
The 1987 American Standard featured a new small headstock closer to the original pre-CBS shape, but only in 1998 Fender came back to the vintage-correct design, mostly thanks to the Master Builder Michael Stevens who inspected many pre-CBS Fender instruments.
In the autumn of 1981, the small headstock was finally reinstated, although not quite the same as those made in the pre-CBS era. It was first featured on the 1981 Standard Stratocaster, nicknamed Smith Strat, and thus it is dubbed Smith headstock by Fender enthusiasts. It was later used on the 1983 Standard Stratocaster, on the Elite Stratocaster (Gold and Walnut versions included), on the 1982 and 1983 Strats, and on the first Vintage reissues.
The 1987 American Standard featured a new small headstock closer to the original pre-CBS shape, but only in 1998 Fender came back to the vintage-correct design, mostly thanks to the Master Builder Michael Stevens who inspected many pre-CBS Fender instruments.
1957, one of the trickiest procedure in shaping the headstock was sanding the area where the ball joints the outside curve, photo courtesy Tom Wheeler
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Headstocks comparison, from left to right: 1980 Strat, 1983 Standard, 1996 American Standard, 1999 American Standard. The first issue of "The Strat" had a completely wrong headstock, often called "atrophied", with the sinked "A" edge. The "Smith" headstock from a 1983 Standard Stratocaster (a.k.a. 2-knob Strat) had a recognizable "B" contour. Headstocks made after the introduction of the American Standard Strat closely resembled the original pre-CBS headstock, but they featured a different inclination of the "C" side and a more pronunced "D" curve, so they are nicknamed "pregnant headstocks". Since mid-1998 headstock was vintage-correct.
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Fender logo and other decals
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Provided Fender logo and its assorted markings are original, they may help narrow down the period of issue of the Stratocaster. Also, the halo or cloud shape, which is the last screen pass (a double clear coat), changes over the year. Having said that, it should be borne in mind that changes usually occurred over a period of time, during which two types of decals overlapped.
All silk-screened decals used on vintage Stratocasters and their reissues were water slide decals applied by hands letting them slide on top of the lacquer, and thus they never show a perfectly exact location on the headstock face. |
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Fender used three screens per each decal. The first was the color ink, the second was the outline screen which was always bold and embossed, because a thick emulsion coat was used, whilst the last screen was a double clear gloss top coat used to protect the decal. These metalized inks are powder-based with a high solid-content, so the screens were made using a mesh with large apertures, which would let the viscous formula pass through.
The first Stratocaster featured the thin original Fender logo, usually called Spaghetti Logo, gold with a black trim, with the words "STRATOCASTER" and "WITH SYNCHRONIZED TREMOLO" (obviously in the models equipped with the Synchronized Tremolo only) in thin black lettering. The Spaghetti logo remained on the headstock until December 1964. As early as June 1964, a new larger logo, gold with a black trim, usually called Transition Logo, first appeared on the Fender Stratocaster, but the old Spaghetti logo was used until late 1964, due to existing inventory. |
A close view of the Spaghetti logo, Cortesy of Eddie Tatton
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The thick Black Logo (a.k.a. CBS Logo or TV Logo), black with a gold trim, first appeared in mid-1967 and remained unchanged until 1977, when its gold outline became slightly larger to the detriment of the black lettering.
With the advent of the Black Logo, a small circled “R”, standing for “registered”, was added right behind Fender logo and a significantly enlarged model's name and "WITH SYNCHRONIZED TREMOLO" decal in bolder lettering were used. The decal "WITH SYNCHRONIZED TREMOLO" was finally dropped at the beginning of 1971.
In late 1976, the serial number was moved to the headstock and the writing “MADE IN USA” was added under the word “STRATOCASTER”. The "ORIGINAL Contour Body PATENTED" decal and the patent numbers were also dropped and a small circled “R” was also applied next to the "STRATOCASTER" name.
Until mid-1967, before the advent of the Black Logo, the headstock decals were always applied on top of the finishing lacquer. In the late '60s, when Fender started to use polyester finishes, decals were applied before the clear coat and thus sealed under it, providing a more durable branding. A new type of reverse decal, known as “C transfer”, which required a special solvent for its application, was used.
Some Transition logos were applied under the finish and remained almost unchanged over time, but others were applied on the top of the finish. Hence, their metallic pigments oxidized over time becoming dark green, until they detached themselves from the subtle decal.
The new Modern Logo (a.k.a. Whitish Logo or Silver Logo), white with a black trim, first appeared on the headstock of the 1980 Strat. In mid-1983, it was first used on the second version of the Standard Stratocaster (a.k.a. 2-Knob Stratocaster), although some of them with the old Black logo are known to exist. With the introduction of the Modern Logo in the Standard Series, the “STRATOCASTER” lettering was considerably reduced, albeit larger than that of the pre-CBS Fender.
In 1995, when the serial number was moved on the back of the headstock, a new kind of Spaghetti logo, white with a black trim, first appeared on the American Standard and Plus Series, whilst the Vintage Reissue Stratocasters retained the gold Spaghetti logo, albeit without patent numbers.
With the advent of the Black Logo, a small circled “R”, standing for “registered”, was added right behind Fender logo and a significantly enlarged model's name and "WITH SYNCHRONIZED TREMOLO" decal in bolder lettering were used. The decal "WITH SYNCHRONIZED TREMOLO" was finally dropped at the beginning of 1971.
In late 1976, the serial number was moved to the headstock and the writing “MADE IN USA” was added under the word “STRATOCASTER”. The "ORIGINAL Contour Body PATENTED" decal and the patent numbers were also dropped and a small circled “R” was also applied next to the "STRATOCASTER" name.
Until mid-1967, before the advent of the Black Logo, the headstock decals were always applied on top of the finishing lacquer. In the late '60s, when Fender started to use polyester finishes, decals were applied before the clear coat and thus sealed under it, providing a more durable branding. A new type of reverse decal, known as “C transfer”, which required a special solvent for its application, was used.
Some Transition logos were applied under the finish and remained almost unchanged over time, but others were applied on the top of the finish. Hence, their metallic pigments oxidized over time becoming dark green, until they detached themselves from the subtle decal.
The new Modern Logo (a.k.a. Whitish Logo or Silver Logo), white with a black trim, first appeared on the headstock of the 1980 Strat. In mid-1983, it was first used on the second version of the Standard Stratocaster (a.k.a. 2-Knob Stratocaster), although some of them with the old Black logo are known to exist. With the introduction of the Modern Logo in the Standard Series, the “STRATOCASTER” lettering was considerably reduced, albeit larger than that of the pre-CBS Fender.
In 1995, when the serial number was moved on the back of the headstock, a new kind of Spaghetti logo, white with a black trim, first appeared on the American Standard and Plus Series, whilst the Vintage Reissue Stratocasters retained the gold Spaghetti logo, albeit without patent numbers.
Spaghetti Logo, Courtesy of Cesco's Corner. Note the pointed "e"
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Transition Logo, Courtesy of Cesco's Corner
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Black Logo, first issue, Courtesy of Cesco's Corner
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Black Logo, second issue, Courtesy of Mario Cecil
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Modern Logo, Courtesy of Reverb
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Whitish Spaghetti Logo, Courtesy of Reverb
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Comparison between an original 1957 Spaghetti logo (on top) and one of a reissue (bottom). Note the pointed "e" of "Fender" and the different fonts used for the decal "Synchronyzed Tremolo" (pay attention to letter "M" of "Tremolo").
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Patent Numbers
Between the end of 1960 and January 1961 various patent numbers were also added on the headstock under the model's name:
It is interesting to note that not all these patent numbers refer to the Stratocaster. For example, DES 169,062 indicates the design of the Precision Bass; 2,960,900 that of the Jazzmaster; 2,573,254 refers to Broadcaster pickup and bridge combination; 2,817,261 to the hum cancelling double coil of the steel guitars; 3,143,028 to the neck equipped with an adjustable truss rod. Patent number 2,741,146 refers to the Stratocaster tremolo.
- From late 1960 / January 1961: PAT 2,573,254, 2,741,146
- From early 1962 to late 1964, with Spaghetti Logo: PAT 2,573,254 2,741,146 2,960,900
- From mid-1964 until the end of 1967, with the Transition Logo: PAT 2,573,254 2,741,146 2,960,900 3,143,028 (or with the 2nd and 3rd pat. Numbers reversed)
- From mid-1965 to the end of 1967: PAT 2,573,254 2,741,146 2,960,900 3,143,028 2,817,261
- From mid-1965 to mid-1968, with the Transition Logo: PAT 2,741,146 3,143,028 DES 169,062
- From mid-1967, with the CBS Logo, to the first months of 1971: PAT 2,741,146 3,143,028
- From mid-1970: PAT 2,741,146
- From late 1971 to 1976: PAT 3,143,028
It is interesting to note that not all these patent numbers refer to the Stratocaster. For example, DES 169,062 indicates the design of the Precision Bass; 2,960,900 that of the Jazzmaster; 2,573,254 refers to Broadcaster pickup and bridge combination; 2,817,261 to the hum cancelling double coil of the steel guitars; 3,143,028 to the neck equipped with an adjustable truss rod. Patent number 2,741,146 refers to the Stratocaster tremolo.
Original Contour Body decal
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Since 1954 all the Stratocasters featured the "ORIGINAL Contour Body" decal in thin black lettering on the ball of the headstock. In the late 1960 the "Pat.Pend." decal was gradually added under "ORIGINAL Contour Body" words. Its uppercase version was sometimes used since the mid-1965.
With the advent of the Black Logo in late 1967, "Pat.Pend." and "PAT.PEND." words were both replaced by "PATENTED". Finally, when Fender moved the serial number from the neck plate to the front face of the headstock at the end of 1976, the "ORIGINAL Contour Body PATENTED" decal and patent numbers were all dropped. |
String Retainers
Fender widely used string guides, also called string retainers or string trees, to press down the top B and E strings with the aim of improving their tension at the nut and therefore to obtain a better sustain.
A circular string guide (a.k.a. button string guide) was screwed on the headstock of the Stratocaster until the second half of 1956, when it was replaced by that butterfly-shaped string guide, called wing or butterfly string tree.
In 1959, with the introduction of the slab rosewood fretboard, a small brass spacer was added underneath the string guide. In mid-1964 it was replaced by an ABS plastic spacer.
By late 1971 Fender added a second string tree on the large CBS headstock to hold down the two middle G and D strings, although it is possible to find Stratocasters with only one string tree until 1972.
In the second half of 1983 the Standard and the Elite Stratocasters were fitted with two Ezy Glider string trees, made of a grooved steel to allow for a better strings vibration, which were used also on the American Standard Stratocaster unveiled in 1987.
A circular string guide (a.k.a. button string guide) was screwed on the headstock of the Stratocaster until the second half of 1956, when it was replaced by that butterfly-shaped string guide, called wing or butterfly string tree.
In 1959, with the introduction of the slab rosewood fretboard, a small brass spacer was added underneath the string guide. In mid-1964 it was replaced by an ABS plastic spacer.
By late 1971 Fender added a second string tree on the large CBS headstock to hold down the two middle G and D strings, although it is possible to find Stratocasters with only one string tree until 1972.
In the second half of 1983 the Standard and the Elite Stratocasters were fitted with two Ezy Glider string trees, made of a grooved steel to allow for a better strings vibration, which were used also on the American Standard Stratocaster unveiled in 1987.
Button string tree, 1956 Stratocaster (Courtesy of Real Vintage)
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Butterfly string trees with one plastic spacer
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Ezy Glider string guides, 1989 American Standard Stratocaster
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