In early 1952, phillips head neck bolts were introduced. In mid- to late 1952, phillips head pickguard screws were introduced. In 1954, a contoured body similar to the Stratocaster was introduced, but a few slab bodies showed up through 1957, and a 2-Color Sunburst finish with a white pickguard became standard and Blonde finish with a black pickguard became optional. In 1955, staggered height pickup polepieces and steel bridge saddles were introduced. In 1956, Custom Color finishes became optional and black pickguards were disc. In mid-1957, a wider Stratocaster-style headstock, a bridge with strings anchored to it, a smaller anodized aluminum pickguard, and a split P-style pickup were all introduced. In mid-1958, 3-Color Sunburst finish became standard, but a few 2-Color Sunburst models were produced through 1960. In late 1958, level polepieces on the pickup were introduced. In mid-1959, a rosewood "slab" fingerboard with pearl dot inlays was introduced. In late 1959, standard finish models were equipped with a tortoiseshell celluloid pickguard and custom finish models were equipped with a laminated white pickguard. In mid-1962, a curved fingerboard was introduced. In mid-1963, a veneer-like thinner fingerboard was introduced. In 1968, a maple neck with a separate maple fingerboard became optional. In late 1969, a narrow maple neck became optional. In 1970, a fretless fingerboard became available. In 1975, the black pickguard was reintroduced. In 1976, a thumb rest on the bass side was introduced. Between 1977 and 1979, Antigua finish with a matching pickguard was optional.

In passive mode, only two of the knobs work (v, tone) and in active mode, all three knobs work (v, t, b).