In the spring of 1954, in a small shop in Southern California, musical history was made with the introduction and shipment of the first Fender Stratocaster guitar. Everything about the guitar was new and innovative. The tremolo design, the sleek and distinctive body lines, the "Offset Contour" body, and not two - but THREE pickups. Instantly, guitar players from every genre of musical tastes sought out and purchased one of these "futuristic" designed instruments. The first Fender Stratocaster guitars were used for Western swing, Jazz, Blues, Country, and any other style of music guitarist could dream up. You could not contain this design. The Fender Stratocaster was not only ahead of its time; it defined electric guitar design. In celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Fender Stratocaster, the American Vintage II reissues faithfully recreated the 1954 Stratocaster guitar down to some of the finest details. 

 This guitar is simply outstanding, and really looks and feels like playing a real deal '54. This example comes to us in great lightly used condition with only simple aesthetic surface level wear present. No stone was left unturned, featuring the two piece Ash body, 8 hole, singly ply pickguard, short skirt knobs, rounded pickup covers, Fender "Pat Pend "Saddles, and the serial stamped on its neck plate (a commemorative 70th anniversary neck plate is also included in sale). The nice two tone burst this era was best known for looks great, and will relic over time, with its thin nitro finish. The finish shows some pick wear north of the pickguard, as well as a small nick present near the output jack. Nice bell tones that range from brite to warm thanks to this issues 70th anniversary pickups - with this example sporting the 5-way pickup selector (the 3-way additional switch is included in the sale). 

 The neck sporting an authentic U shaped profile, has a 50's style heft measuring a thickness of .89" at the first position tapering up to .98" at the twelfth. Standard correct 25.5" scale and 1 21/32" nut width. The maple neck profile and fretboard are very clean, the vintage profile frets clean and free of indentation - this is a great feeling neck for anyone who favors the vintage profile feel. Spaghetti logo and Fender stamped Kluson tuners round out a fantastic instrument. 

The setup is nice with low action that measures 5/64" in height at the twelfth fret of the sixth string, and 4/64" on the first - with the tremolo flat against the body. 

 Includes nice case candy including hang tags, wiring diagram, catalog reprint, ashtray cover, two tremolo arms and COA. Commemorative tweedhardshell case with red plush interior reading "70th Anniversary". 

 Weighs 8lbs