The 1955 Fender catalog (image on the left) made an extra effort to clarify the Stratocaster's unique features (or at least selling points) by numbering all 21 of them: "1. Available with or without tremolo; 2. New comfort contoured body; 3. Deep cutaway for ease of playing fast high figures [referring to the lower horn cutaway]; 4. Three improved type pickups; 5. All three pickups adjustable for balance and for desired amount of bass or treble; 6. Patented adjustable bridge; 7. String action fully and individually adjustable on each string; 8. Fretting on each string adjustable (Guitar never out of tune); 9. New method of tone control and mixing of pickups; 10. New recessed plug receptacle, mounted in front of guitar for easy access and long cord life; 11. Highly shielded pickups for less noise from lights, signs, etc.; 12. Truss Rod reinforced neck - easily adjustable, never warps; 13. Safety string posts with steel and brass gears (non-slip); 14. Keys on one side for ease of tuning; 15. Slim fast neck; 16. Perfect balance; 17. Very light weight; 18. Heavy chrome plating; 19. Beautiful sun burst [yes, presented as two words] finish; 20. Heavy top grain leather strap and pad; 21. Complete customer satisfaction guarantee." [text in brackets is not from the '55 catalog]
While the essential specifications of the 1955 Stratocaster are presented below, for a highly detailed look at this instrument see Anatomy of a '55 Stratocaster - over 100 pages of photos and information covering every single component.
1955 Stratocaster Specs: Small headstock with sharper edges than the 1954 model, two-tone sunburst finish, one piece maple neck with skunk stripe, 4-bolt neck attachment with serial number (very early instruments have the serial number on the tremolo cover), "bakelite" pickup covers and control knobs, tremolo cover has oblong string holes, round string tree, 8-screw single layer white vinyl pickguard, "spaghetti"-style headstock logo decal, two-piece tremolo with adjustable saddles stamped with "Fender Pat Pending", Kluson tuners with no name on them.
The 1955 Fender catalog (image on the left) made an extra effort to clarify the Stratocaster's unique features (or at least selling points) by numbering all 21 of them: "1. Available with or without tremolo; 2. New comfort contoured body; 3. Deep cutaway for ease of playing fast high figures [referring to the lower horn cutaway]; 4. Three improved type pickups; 5. All three pickups adjustable for balance and for desired amount of bass or treble; 6. Patented adjustable bridge; 7. String action fully and individually adjustable on each string; 8. Fretting on each string adjustable (Guitar never out of tune); 9. New method of tone control and mixing of pickups; 10. New recessed plug receptacle, mounted in front of guitar for easy access and long cord life; 11. Highly shielded pickups for less noise from lights, signs, etc.; 12. Truss Rod reinforced neck - easily adjustable, never warps; 13. Safety string posts with steel and brass gears (non-slip); 14. Keys on one side for ease of tuning; 15. Slim fast neck; 16. Perfect balance; 17. Very light weight; 18. Heavy chrome plating; 19. Beautiful sun burst [yes, presented as two words] finish; 20. Heavy top grain leather strap and pad; 21. Complete customer satisfaction guarantee." [text in brackets is not from the '55 catalog]
