Fender 57 Stratocaster Nocaster Bl HR
This USA-made 1957 Stratocaster combines a traditional alder-and-maple build with three hand-wound Custom Shop single-coil pickups. Its heavy relic finish and premium specification make it best suited to players who specifically want that vintage-inspired look and configuration.
★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 5 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker
Fender 57 Stratocaster Nocaster Bl HR: technical review
The Fender 57 Stratocaster Nocaster Bl HR is a U.S.-made, relic-finished Stratocaster-style electric guitar based on the 1957 Stratocaster model. Its listed specifications center on a selected two-piece alder body, a riftsawn maple neck, a maple fingerboard, and three Custom Shop hand-wound single-coil pickups. The finish is called Faded Nocaster Blonde Heavy, while the general color listing is Blonde. Fender does not provide a customer review for this product in the supplied information, so this assessment is limited to its documented construction and hardware.
Body, neck, and playing dimensions
The body is specified as two-piece alder, with no separate top. The neck is maple and attaches with a bolt-on joint. Its riftsawn construction is identified in the specifications, as is the '57 Soft V profile. Those details describe the materials and neck shape, but the available data does not include neck thickness measurements or a statement about how the profile feels in the hand.
The maple fingerboard has a 9.5-inch radius and 21 Narrow Tall frets, identified as size 6105. The scale length is 25.5 inches, also listed as 648 mm. A bone nut completes the string-contact points at the headstock end. These are concrete setup and construction details; the supplied specifications do not state the factory string gauge, action, or fretwork measurements.
Pickup and control layout
The guitar uses three Custom Shop hand-wound '57 Stratocaster single-coil pickups in an SSS arrangement. A five-way switch selects the pickup combinations. Controls comprise one volume knob and two tone knobs, with a Tone-Saver Bleed and Greasebucket circuit listed as part of the control system.
The specifications identify the circuit components but do not explain their exact response, switching behavior, or measured effect on the signal. No output readings, pickup resistance values, or wiring diagram are provided. For that reason, the pickup section can be assessed by type and configuration, but not by quantified electrical performance or claims about how it sounds.
Tremolo, hardware, and finish
A Custom Shop vintage synchronized tremolo is fitted, along with vintage-style tuning machines and nickel hardware. The pickguard is single-ply white. The listing does not state whether the tremolo is set up to float or rest against the body, nor does it provide details about bridge saddles, tuning-machine ratios, or hardware dimensions.
The finish is described as Relic and, more specifically, Faded Nocaster Blonde Heavy. That identifies the intended finish treatment and color, but the specifications do not document the pattern or extent of the wear. Buyers should therefore use the product photos or a direct inspection to confirm the appearance of the particular instrument, rather than assume details that are not listed.
Included accessories and product details
A deluxe hardshell case is included. The general specification also confirms that a case is included and that a bag is not. The instrument has been available since August 2024, carries item number 593676, and is listed as one piece per sales unit. The price provided is 4444, with no currency stated in the supplied data.
Technical assessment
On paper, this model combines a period-referenced body and control layout with clearly specified modern playing dimensions: a 25.5-inch scale, a 9.5-inch fingerboard radius, and Narrow Tall frets. The '57 Soft V neck profile, riftsawn maple neck, bone nut, and vintage-style hardware add useful detail for comparing it with other Stratocaster-style instruments. Its three hand-wound single coils and five-way switching define the pickup configuration, while the included hardshell case adds a practical piece of the package.
The documentation leaves several buying questions unanswered, including weight, neck measurements, setup, string gauge, tremolo adjustment, and electrical readings. There are also no customer comments available to draw on, so there is no basis here for claims about comfort, reliability, or sound in use. The Fender 57 Stratocaster Nocaster Bl HR is best evaluated against its stated materials, components, and finish, with price, currency, and individual instrument condition confirmed with the seller before purchase.
Shipping and duties
The retailer ships from its warehouse in Germany. Prices are shown in US dollars and do not include import duties. Orders under roughly $800 usually clear US customs without duty; above that, a duty of a few percent may be collected on delivery. 30-day money-back and a 3-year warranty apply.
Scores by area
Where it shines, where it stumbles
What convinced me
- Three hand-wound Custom Shop 1957 single-coil pickups offer a period-inspired Stratocaster configuration.
- Alder body, maple neck, and maple fingerboard match the stated 1957-style design.
- Includes a deluxe hardshell case and features a bone nut, 21 narrow-tall frets, and a vintage-style synchronized tremolo.
What bugged me
- The heavy relic finish may not suit players who prefer a clean, unaged appearance.
- The SSS pickup layout offers less built-in hum resistance than a humbucker-equipped guitar.
- No gig bag is included, though a hardshell case is.
Is it the right one for you?
Good pick if
A strong match for players seeking a USA-made, vintage-inspired Stratocaster with hand-wound single coils and a soft V neck. Also suited to buyers who want a heavy relic finish and an included hardshell case.Look elsewhere if
Less suitable for players who prefer an unaged finish or want humbuckers. Consider another model if you specifically need a gig bag or a modern high-output pickup configuration.Suggested level: Intermediate
Specifications
- Color
- Blonde
- Body
- Alder
- Top
- None
- Neck
- Maple
- Fretboard
- Maple
- Frets
- 21
- Scale
- 648 mm
- Pickups
- SSS
- Tremolo
- Vintage
- Incl. bag
- No
- Including case
- Yes
- Model
- 1957 Stratocaster
- Shape
- ST-Style
- Pickup system
- SSS
Up close
Before you decide
Questions players ask
What pickup configuration does this guitar have?
It has three hand-wound Custom Shop 1957 Stratocaster single-coil pickups, arranged in an SSS configuration.
What are the neck and fingerboard specifications?
The neck and fingerboard are maple. The neck has a 1957 soft V profile, a 9.5-inch fingerboard radius, and 21 narrow-tall frets.
Does the guitar come with a case?
Yes. A deluxe hardshell case is included. The listing specifies that no gig bag is included.
What does the finish look like?
The listed finish is Faded Nocaster Blonde Heavy Relic, so it has an intentionally aged appearance.
Is this suitable for someone seeking a modern high-output setup?
The listed specification is a traditional SSS single-coil layout with a vintage-style synchronized tremolo. Players seeking a humbucker-equipped or explicitly high-output setup may want to compare other models.
The last word from the bench
The Fender 57 Stratocaster Nocaster Bl HR pairs a two-piece alder body with a riftsawn maple neck, a soft V profile, and a 9.5-inch fingerboard radius. Its three hand-wound single coils, five-way switch, and Greasebucket circuit provide a traditional Stratocaster control layout with specified tone-shaping features. The included deluxe hardshell case is a practical addition, while the heavy relic finish is a matter of personal taste. With no customer reviews supplied, this assessment is based only on the listed specifications.
Hanging next to it
Fender 57 Stratocaster Nocaster Bl HR
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