The iconic Strat - so much has been said since its 1954 debut. To mark the 70th anniversary milestone, the Fender Custom Shop created a limited-edition series honoring the Stratocaster’s heritage and lasting impact. This LTD ’54 Strat is a masterful recreation, paying tribute to the first-year models with exceptional attention to detail.
The 70th Anniversary neck profile - a soft V-to-C carve (.885"–.980") - feels substantial yet surprisingly comfortable, thanks to a 1 5/8" nut width and a 7.25"–9.5" compound radius. This combo blends chunky depth with a slightly narrower width, upping the comfort factor substantially.
Authentic period touches like skirted knobs, “football” 5-way tip, and a beautifully grained, offset-seam two-piece ash body complete the vintage look. Hand-wound ’54 pickups deliver the twangy, open, almost Tele-like tone that made the originals so distinctive.
One detail true to history: the bridge pickup has no tone control. The result? Extra clarity and touch sensitivity, with a crispness and sparkle all its own. Need to tame the highs? A slight volume roll-off does it perfectly.