NGD - Fender Stratocaster 1954 Reissue (MIJ)

[Machines]

My Dad is somewhat of a Stratoholic and has 4 US Strats and 4 Jap. The Japs are all for sale in a local store but not getting anywhere (prices a bit high in my opinion). There are 2 mid 80s Contemporary Series (1 x Fiesta red, 1 x sunburst) with Schaller locking tremolos, and also a standard Sunburst with 2 x P90 pickups (modded). There's also a more traditional mid-90s 1957 reissue (2 tone sunburst, maple neck).

I've persuaded him he won't miss the 57 RI and to give it to me (more of a long term loan, i'd give it back if I didn't want it anymore). I've had a few guitars over time but never really felt any affinity with them to spend a lot of time learning, this one I hope will inspire me to actually learn to play properly.

[attachment=218623:S1.png]

[attachment=218624:S2.png]

Edited May 19, 2016 by Machines

[essexbasscat]

Very nice indeed, they had a good reputation I believe

[leftybassman392]

I had one of these - exactly this model - for a number of years. An excellent guitar it was too. I'm a big fan of Japanese Fenders from the '90s; pretty much as good as the American instruments of the period for a lot less money (I had a '72 RI Tele that was my main teaching instrument for years - boy I loved that guitar!). You won't go far wrong with that.

As coincidence would have it I eventually gave mine away to my nephew in the (probably forlorn) hope that it would encourage him to take the instrument up again. I do occasionally wonder if it was the right thing to do, but it is what it is so no point worrying about it.

[Machines]

I've just done more research, this is in fact a 54RI not a 57RI according to http://freespace.virgin.net/john.blackman4/50s.htm.

[CamdenRob]

I was looking at sunburst strats with maple necks the other day... lovely combination

[Machines]

I may get get an annodized gold pickguard for it... even more lush:

[tedmanzie]

Those are very nice guitars - I think it will have a soft V neck profile? I had one for a while, it was very light - about 6.5 lbs. A funk machine!

[leftybassman392]

[quote name='Machines' timestamp='1462520775' post='3043666']
I've just done more research, this is in fact a 54RI not a 57RI according to [url="http://freespace.virgin.net/john.blackman4/50s.htm."]http://freespace.vir...ckman4/50s.htm.[/url]
[/quote]

Well it don't 'arf look like the one I used to have!

(Link seems to be dead BTW. I assume that it would have highlighted the differences between them. )

New scratchplate looks good. My '57 RI had a single ply white jobby that frankly looked cheap & nasty but was apparently authentic. I assume it would be the same with the '54...?

Edited May 6, 2016 by leftybassman392

[tedmanzie]

54ri's have the round string tree, 57s have a rectangular. There must be something else but that's all I can remember

[leftybassman392]

[quote name='Machines' timestamp='1462528691' post='3043756']
I may get get an annodized gold pickguard for it... even more lush:


[/quote]

Just had another look at this...

Is that actually a new scratchplate; or just the original in a slightly funny light that makes it look anodised?

[Machines]

[quote name='leftybassman392' timestamp='1462701196' post='3044942']
Just had another look at this...

Is that actually a new scratchplate; or just the original in a slightly funny light that makes it look anodised?
[/quote]

It's not my Strat - that's just a similar one on Google with a gold pickguard.

Edited May 10, 2016 by Machines

[leftybassman392]

Got it. My bad.

So, er, yes; it does look very nice...

[bassbiscuits]

Lovely guitars - my first ever electric was a E series MIJ 1957 reissue Strat, in some strange metallic aqua blue (turned out to be quite rare colour apparently).

It was great tho. Lovely grain in the maple neck/fingerboard, nice guitar.

I ended up selling it for a 1994 MIJ Strat, which despite the lesser pedigree, was a better individual guitar for my tastes, and which I still have 14 years on. Both cool guitars tho.

[Dood]

I've managed to stop myself gassing over a CAR '57 RI. There's something about the red, white and maple fingerboard that makes me go giddy!!

[leftybassman392]

[quote name='dood' timestamp='1463566159' post='3052328']
I've managed to stop myself gassing over a CAR '57 RI. There's something about the red, white and maple fingerboard that makes me go giddy!!
[/quote]

Never fancied CAR. Just doesn't do it for me. No idea why. Now if you'll excuse me I'm off to wash my mouth out with soap and water...

[stu_g]

heres my squier e serial strat fitted it with custom shop 54 pickups
[attachment=219627:IMG_0433.jpg]

[dlloyd]

Perfect. I much prefer the wider spacing of the 12th fret dots compared with current models.

[Bassnut62]

Absolutely awesome loan score from your Dad. I have exact same early 90s ST54 MIJ. Great guitar as good as any USA Strat; but I did find pups were a little anonymous, even tho US Custom Shop. I replaced mine with Lindy Fralin Vintage Hot pups and now this is my fave guitar. It has funkiest sound on the planet and has a kick too.

[RhysP]

[quote name='leftybassman392' timestamp='1463591692' post='3052681']
Never fancied CAR. Just doesn't do it for me. No idea why.
[/quote]

I'm the same. CAR & any sunburst finish are total no-no's for me.

[Machines]

[quote name='Bassnut62' timestamp='1471813077' post='3116125']
Absolutely awesome loan score from your Dad. I have exact same early 90s ST54 MIJ. Great guitar as good as any USA Strat; but I did find pups were a little anonymous, even tho US Custom Shop. I replaced mine with Lindy Fralin Vintage Hot pups and now this is my fave guitar. It has funkiest sound on the planet and has a kick too.
[/quote]

I agree, his other Strats are generally high spec pickups (Texas Hot Rods or Noiseless etc) so this is a bit weedy in comparison. I'd rather leave this as it is spec wise (as it's a very good exampl eof a period correct instrument) but perhaps just steal something else from him. That SRV Strat of his has been in the case for 6 months...

[therealting]

Gotta love those 50s-era Strats, here's the one I gig most heavily