Fender Stratocaster Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1955), made in USA, two tone sunburst lacquer finish, ash body, maple neck, tweed original hard shell case.
A very fine early 1955 example of the Fender Stratocaster, probably the single most influential electric guitar ever designed. Dated on both body and neck "3-55" this guitar was made less than six months after the beginning of full production run of this model in October 1954.
These first Stratocasters left the Fullerton, California factory in relatively small numbers, with apparently less than 400 tremelo models shipping in all of 1955. At a time when other electric guitars were fairly conservative looking, this instrument must have looked like it just arrived from the Stratosphere indeed!
As standard for the mid-50's, this guitar features a contoured medium-lightweight ash body with beautiful original 2-tone sunburst finish. Mostly original hardware including the pickguard; the knobs and pickup covers appear to be of slightly later 1950's vintage replacing the fragile "hard" plastic originals. Round string spacer on headstock, nickle plated tuners printed "deluxe" but no "Kluson" name. Neck is the earlier "rounded back" profile with the slightest hint of the "V" to come and has been refretted.
This guitar plays perfectly and sounds spectacular. While 50's Stratocasters have been re-issued and "relic-ed" repeatedly over the last decade, none have successfully reproduced the magic of these early Fenders.
Includes original "side pocket" tweed case in excellent condition, with a very 1950's "US Coylon foam cushioning" tag on the inside lid.
Overall length is 38.25 in. (97.2 cm.), 12.5 in. (31.8 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1.75 in. (4.4 cm.) deep. Scale length is 25.5 in. (648 mm.).
Overall excellent condition. The body finish has small dings and chips, and some buckle wear just above the tremolo cover and normal edgewear, mostly on the upper bouts. Virtually no checking.
The neck has been refretted with correct style frets and the fingerboard re-lacquered; some old board wear is still visible under this finish. The neck patina has been expertly matched on the fingerboard. There is a small chip and tiny crack(less than 1/4 inch) at the end of the fingerboard directly over the truss rod nut. The nut has been replaced.
All plastic and metal hardware is in excellent condition, with very slight shrinkage to the pickguard and a noticeable "dig" at the neck end from trussrod adjustments over the years. The pickups and wiring are original; the switch has been modified to a 5-way and the internal cavities have had shielding paint applied.
The Tweed case is structurally fine with some scuffing, and about 50% of the handle covering missing. Overall this guitar has the minor wear and modifications common to a "working" instrument, but nothing that detracts from its vintage character or appearance, and certainly not from sound or playability.
