Fender Stratocaster 1955 – Suburst

Photos do not do this one justice. It just has that amazing in person look and FEEL! This one comes to us from a local long time player here in southern Arizona. He has owned the guitar since the early 60s and has played it daily for many many years. It has the PERFECT worn in feel that only a well played Fender has. The back of the chunky neck is worn silky smooth and just sits in the hand perfectly. The original finish on the body has tons of vibey wear from years of playing, but no repairs, cracks or unsightly blemishes; just honest, vibey wear.

Luckily, throughout many years of ownership and gigging, the neck and body finish have remained original, as have all three pickups. The guitar has had a few minor modifications over the years though:

1) The volume pot has been replaced, as has the switch (to a 5 way.) The leads going to the output jack have been replaced, as have a few pieces of wire. The tone cap has been replaced. Both tone pots are original. The middle pickup has been rewound.

2) The tuners have been replaced. There is a slightly visible hole from an old set of tuners. The holes have not been reamed out or enlarged.

Otherwise, she’s all original and MAN does she sound good. The tone is bright, musical, dynamic, and full of life.

This ’55 Strat has an immediate, bell-like clarity — every note blooms with shimmering overtones that feel alive under your fingers. it has a wonderfully balanced voice: the bridge pickup has a snappy, cutting presence perfect for articulate leads and country picking, but it can get raunchy and drive an amp. The neck pickup offers a smooth, glassy warmth with just enough low-end body to feel round and full. Those “in-between” tones create the perfect strat tone with quacky, hollow shimmer.

There’s a touch sensitivity to this Strat that modern guitars cannot match — it responds to your playing dynamics with precision. Soft picking brings out a clean, sparkling sheen, while digging in produces a gritty, vocal-like growl. The worn in feel adds to the responsiveness of the instrument…this one really feels like an extension of the body!

The guitar plays incredibly well, with low action and a straight neck and perfectly functioning truss rod. The neck is chunky, measuring 1.65in wide and .96in deep at the nut and 2.03in wide and .98in deep at the 12th fret. The guitar has been refretted and the frets are fairly wide and medium tall. There is some light play wear in the cowboy chord area, but the guitar plays with extremely low action and no buzz in that area.

This is one of the finest playing strats we’ve ever had in. It really is magic, and everyone over here has been wanting to play it non stop. It is PERFECTLY worn in, like very few guitars we’ve ever played. Truly an effortless guitar to play, that resonates beautifully and just feels right at home in the hands. If you are looking for a 55 strat that wont cost more than a nice sports car, this one is a great option, with all of the good original stuff still there, and just a few minor modifications! I am very very confident that the buyer will be blown away with this strat. If you don’t like it, send it back! I will be flabbergasted, but more than happy to take it back!

Ships promptly pro packed and fully insured. Weighs 7.63lbs.