Fender Stratocaster, Sunburst (1955)

Perhaps one of the cleanest vintage Stratocasters to enter our building, this 1955 Fender Stratocaster that just came in on consignment is a true time capsule!

It's kind of jarring to handle an instrument like this. Its condition is breathtaking considering its age, yet the familiarity of what a Stratocaster has become over the last half-century plus is inherent here, despite it being a model in its infancy when this was finished up in Fullerton.

Pre-1956 Strats tend to exist on their own plane, with a mix of early and transitional features that weave through production in a relatively short period of time. This parallels a lot of what Leo had gone through in the evolution of the Esquire/Broadcaster to the Telecaster. Though seeing a '55 Strat in this condition would lead you to assume that Leo & Co. had it pretty well dialed in by this point.

The thinly applied two-tone Sunburst finish atop what appears to be a one-piece Ash body (with the exception of a small section on the treble side) gets high marks here for presentation alone. Relatively unfaded and clearly well preserved from extreme changes in humidity, the lacquer and color is impressively intact. There are some minor areas of touchup on the contours, likely to conceal some small dings or nicks that had occurred at some time, but the work presents as high quality and old enough to blend very well into the rest of what is predominantly original finish.

Upon inspecting the electronics, we were able to observe a very clean original trio of single coil pickups, with the middle pickup having been expertly rewound by NYC's Norio Imai. The original Stackpole harness is exceptionally clean and undisturbed, with a visible manufacturing code on the middle tone pot reading the 33rd week of 1955. Comparing that to a neck heel pencil date of 9-55 and a body date of 8/55, it's apparent that this Strat came together in quick succession over the course of about 5-6 weeks.

The neck - equally clean and original - features its original fretwire, Kluson tuners, string tree, and decal, with a stunning bright lacquer clear coat finish and only minor signs of wear on the fingerboard. Given how thin this lacquer was, it reminds us again just how impressively well-kept this guitar has been all these years.

Hardware is original, and plastics follow suit. The bridge is nearly impeccable, with the original stamped steel saddles showing almost no wear or oxidation. The plastics are bright and the knob retain clear and defined lettering and numerical stamping on the skirts. The original tweed case condition is just as shocking as the guitar is, with a lacquered tweed covering that seems to defy its age. Inside, you'll find the original bridge cover, tremolo arm, polish cloth, strap, and an incredible rare printout of Fender's tremolo bridge function and instructions.

This is as close to total-package as it gets for a Strat from ANY period, nevermind from one of its formative production years. Opportunities to own one are as rare as the condition you seen in this very guitar before you.

Payment via bank wire required. Expedited shipping required.