Fender Custom Shop 50th Anniversary 1954 Stratocaster Master Built by John Cruz

Fender Custom Shop 50th Anniversary 1954 Stratocaster Master Built by John Cruz

Established in 1987 as the section at Fender dedicated to crafting the company's finest instruments, the "Fender Custom Shop" brand represents the premium line that Fender enthusiasts aspire to own. Among these, the pinnacle is the "Master Built Series (MBS)," where a skilled craftsman known as a "Master Builder" personally handles every step of production.

We have just received a special Stratocaster "50th Anniversary - Limited Release - 1954 Stratocaster" by the legendary Master Builder "John Cruz," which was sold for a limited period from January 15, 2004 to December 31, 2004. The weight is 3.28kg.

In the spring of 1954, the first "Fender Stratocaster" was announced and shipped, marking a new chapter in music history.
The tremolo design, refined distinctive body contours, the "offset contoured" body—all were revolutionary for the time.

The early Stratocaster was used across all styles of music, and that remains true even now in the Reiwa era.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stratocaster's birth, Fender Custom Shop faithfully recreated a limited reissue model of the 1954 Stratocaster. Each guitar is Master Built at Fender's renowned "Dream Factory" in Corona, California, and features custom pickups recreating the 1954 specifications, an original thick and substantial "U" shaped maple neck, the original finish and body contours of the era.

Additionally, numerous other specifications have been faithfully recreated from the original. For the first time since 1954, parts such as knobs, switch tips, pickguard, tremolo cover plate, and pickup covers were manufactured using new molds created with the same formulations and materials as the original.

Furthermore, the bridge saddle that was marked as "Patent Pending" in that era has also been recreated (Fender now holds these patents, but they have nonetheless been faithfully reproduced).
Finally, a replica of the dedicated hard case that came with the original 1954 model, faithfully recreated down to its shape (with 50th Anniversary model logo), is included.

Perhaps due to the influence of the neck thickness, the tone is thick and the high frequencies are strong, making it ideal for arpeggios and cutting—it produces an absolutely exceptional sound. Master Built guitars tend to vary considerably in sound due to the builder's individual character, but this guitar is thoroughly classic and I believe it to be one of the finest Strats ever. The Sunburst color may seem ordinary at first glance, but with considerable weatherchecking and magnificent wood grain on the body, it commands presence. The maple neck and fingerboard are outstanding, with high-end feel despite the absence of bird's eye, and the understated approach to relicing is refined. With truly wonderful sound, this is a guitar I can wholeheartedly recommend not only to John Cruz fans, but to anyone who loves a thicker neck shape and to all Strat players.

Spec
Body : Selected Light-Weight Ash
Body Finish : Nitrocellulose Lacquer , Closet Classic
Neck : Flat-Sawn Maple 1PC , 54 U-Shape
Neck Finish : Nitrocellulose Lacquer , Closet Classic
Fingerboard : 7.25" Radius , Vintage Style Frets , 21F
Pickups : Anniversary 1954 STRAT PU
Controls : Vol , Neck Tone , Middle Tone , 3way-SW
Weight : 3.28kg

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【Accessories】Original hard case, arm, back panel certificate (The reproduction model of the guitar strap that came with the 1954 original is not included)

【Appearance & Condition】In addition to tarnished parts, there are scratches, rust, and overall signs of age and use throughout, but as this is a relic instrument, these are indistinguishable.

【Truss Rod】Plenty of room

【Frets】Approximately 70%～

【Neck】Straight

【Nut Width】Approximately 42mm

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・If the guitar exhibits significant playability issues such as buzz or dead spots, or other problems, we will always note them. In the absence of such notation, we consider the instrument to have no problems with play condition.
・In cases where "Original" or "Replacement" is not specifically noted, we make no definitive claims regarding specifications or condition.
・Regarding the truss rod, from a product protection standpoint, we only check up to approximately 45 degrees in both the tightening and loosening directions. (When marked "Plenty of room," this indicates 45 degrees of clearance in both directions.)
・The posted information is current as of the time of listing. Changes may occur due to seasons or aging.
・Accessories are limited to those shown in the posted photos and listed on the sales page.
・As we also conduct simultaneous sales at our physical location, items may be sold or under negotiation.
・We cannot accommodate requests for specific delivery time windows.

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・For any other questions or if you wish to try the instrument, please contact us via the inquiry form or our store email address ([email protected]).
・Our store hours are Friday, Saturday, Sunday (11:00～18:30).