Don't forget that Hank had flatwound strings for the early recordings making the sound a deal more clonky. Also, those early Vox amps were minus the top boost and had a really nasal tone.
Hank didn't have a deal with Fender then, he sent Cliff on a mission when he went stateside to get him a Fender like James Burton used. They knew he used a Fender guitar but didn't know the model, and it couldn't be the plain slabby one when there was a funky spaceship in the catalogue. That MUST be the one Burton played, right?
This version of events completely dismisses fellow spectacle wearer, Buddy Holly, who toured Britain in '58 and has to be a candidate for the draw of the Strat for Hank. They couldn't have missed him, if not in person then at least his appearance on the London Palladium TV show.
Bruce Welch can be seen in 'Summer Holiday' wearing full Eddie Cochran '60 apparel and playing a '59ish 6120. The Shadows certainly liked having some Gretsches hanging around. The high D (22nd fret) is the giveaway when the Country Gent is being used. Strat's only have 21...
The Burns Marvin can't be dismissed, either. His first proper endorsement. Hank testifies he recorded the 'The Rise and Fall of Flingel Bunt' with this guitar. Who know how many others it's on?
The water's getting muddier, boys!