"There’s secrets hiding inside this six-string just waitin’ for somebody to find ‘em and turn ‘em into music."
― Brenda Sutton Rose
When Fender announced 70th anniversary editions of the original 1954 Stratocaster, I was initially going to take a pass. But then I saw the Custom Shop versions which prompted me to inquire with Dave's Guitar Shop, who gave me a stellar price so I ordered one. It arrived late last week and I picked it up on Saturday — boy oh boy, what a gorgeous guitar.
As Custom Shop guitars go, one gets the certificate of authenticity and build traveler, but Fender also included period-correct '54 Stratocaster documentation, which is a nice touch. This Strat comes in a variety of time-capsuled/relic finishes, but I opted for NOS (new old stock), which is essentially an instrument that is brand new, but bought in the 1950s — made to vintage specs, but without any wear, faded finish, tarnished hardware, or other signs of age.
It has the '54 rounded pickup covers ...
The "miniskirt" knobs ...
Vintage bridge/trem ...
Squared off neck pocket ...
A brilliant neck plate ...
As special ordered, a rift-sawn neck instead of quarter-swan, and vintage headstock/tuners ...
Yeah, it's quite the collection now, insured, and protected. Besides, by now you should know what a cautious fellow I am.
All images © 2024 Mike McDowell