1959 Prototype 8 Hole Fender Strat Green Nitro Pickguard
I purchase 2 1959 Custom Color Fender Strat from the Original Owner many years ago. One was a Sonic Blue with Gold hardware. That was a 11 hole pickguard. The other 59 Strat was Dakota Red, Nickle Hardware. Both had a Brazilian Rosewood Slaboard Fretboards. Mid 1959 Fender went to RW Necks and The Green Nitrate Pickguard, and South Polarity Pickups.. The Dakota Red was changed a different color and needed a Fret Job, but all else was original.
Here is the 8 hole Pickguard with it's Original 8 hole Metal Backing Shield. In 6 months time, Leo started out with a 8 hole Pickguard, then came 9,10 and Final and still used to this day 11 hole Pickguard.. The body only had 8 holes ever in it. I got from the only player who ever own them, this Guard been in my stash all these years.. Note there are more than 8 holes in the metal shield.. 11 to be exact.. BUT only 8 pickguard screws have ever been used to mount the assembly to the body.. You can tell as them 3 extra holes are perfect round and when screwed to the Strat Body, them screw holes will get enlarged some and not prefect round...
Look at the writings on the under side of the Metal Shield.. I can't think as to why any player, owner.. repair shop would ever write on it, for anything.. So I have no documentation this was a Prototype 1st year Fender Nitrate Pickguard. But I'd say.. all that hand written is from Fender..... What I know is a Fact.. it is one of the 1st Ever 1959 Fender Strat Nitrate Pickuard and it's Original Backing Shield. It also had the smaller Metal Shield like Fender used for the 1954 thru Mid 1959 on top of the Full one.. and wear and Patina Match up perfect.. Remember the Strat was a 1 owner.. and whole assembly had original solder and pickup windings and all.. It was neat to me....
