Fender Stratocaster Sunburst 1954

With the Stratocaster, Fender introduced an instrument that was not only technically advanced but also shaped the sound of modern music. The contoured body, the revolutionary tremolo system, and the three single-coil pickups made the Strat something players had never felt or heard before. 

The first series was produced in small numbers and today symbolizes the beginning of a new era. Every 1954 Strat tells a part of that story, with the craftsmanship, wood, and tone that became the blueprint for everything that came after. An early Stratocaster with a serial number in the low thousands, such as this one with number 1097, belongs to that rare first generation of instruments that began the history of the electric guitar. 

This Stratocaster was built in August 1954 and has plenty of written codes and stamps to prove its authenticity. First of all, the serial number 1097 on the neck plate, which is fascinating enough on its own. In the cavity on the top of the one-piece ash body, we can find the Gloria tape with the written date 8-20-54 on it, corresponding with the TG 8-54 code written on the neck by the famous neck shaper Tadeo Gomez. The 100K Stackpole potentiometer that serves as the second tone control shows the code 304430, dating it to the 30th week of 1954, which was the last week of July. 

Some soldering touch-ups have been made to the connections, and the tape holding the wires together has been replaced. In 1954, the back plate had round holes, but the one on this guitar has oblong holes, making it very likely that the holes have been enlarged. When the back plate is removed, a chip in the wood is visible. Also the small rubbers under the pickups are replaced, but the guitar is otherwise fully original. The guitar was sold by Emerald Guitar in March 2023, eventually finding its way to us earlier this year.

With its original finish, original hardware, and historic significance, this Stratocaster is a guitar that exudes pure magic when you simply look at it, and the feeling you get when you play it is indescribable. A true piece of guitar history that will be the crown of any collection!