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 50th anniversary of the Fender Stratocaster, the Fender Custom Shop faithfully recreated in a limited release, the 1954 Stratocaster guitar. Each one, Master Built at Fender's world renowned "Dream Factory" in Corona California, and features custom reproduction original 1954 pickups, and original U shaped neck, original finish and body contours, and an accurate reproduction of the original guitar strap shipped in 1954. 

This guitar is simply outstanding, and really looks and feels like playing a real deal '54. This example built by Master Builder Art Esparza, no stone was left unturned, featuring the two piece Ash body, complete with worm route, 8 hole, singly ply pickguard, short skirt knobs, rounded pickup covers, Fender "Pat Pend "Saddles, and the serial stamped on its back plate. The number "54" lightly written in pencil at the neck pocket is a nice touch to the otherwise blank neck. 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 1" at the twelfth (of course with the correct 25.5" scale and 1 5/8" nut width). 

This guitar may be 20 years old, but was well preserved by the original owner, and used sparingly. Expected checking and some lite authentic relic nicks are present (see photos). The neck is nice and straight with low action that measures 6/64" in height at the twelfth fret of the sixth string, and 5/64" on the first - with the tremolo floating at about a half step.

Weighs 7.4 lbs.

Rounding out the package is a replica of the form-fit case shipped with the originals in 1954 - as well as a "user friendly" aftermarket molded plastic Fender case. Includes the original COA and a still sealed accessories bag, which includes the polishing rag, cable, tremolo bar, ash tray cover and additional paperwork.