Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster 1954 50th Anniversary Masterbuilt by Dennis Galuszka

In honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Stratocaster, the Masterbuilders from Fender's Custom Shop in 2004-05 took on the task of each separately building faithful and accurate reproductions of the original Stratocaster from 1954.  Each Masterbuilder was to build up to 50 of these guitars.   The limited number of Masterbuilders at the Custom Shop in 2004 and early 2005 tell you how few of these incredibly accurate reproductions were made.  Fender Custom Shop spared no expense to make these guitars accurate and amazing - see the Certificate of Authenticity in the photo array as it tells the story and it is signed by Masterbuilder Dennis Galuszka.  The story of this Limited Release by the Custom Shop is told at pages 458-464 of the "Dream Factory" book which is all about the creations of the Fender Custom Shop.  This guitar was made 10 years ago at the end of the run and she left the Custom Shop in April 2005.  

If you are looking at this guitar you likely know what it is all about.  The vibe, the sound and the feel.  The COMPLETE specs for this master built guitar (for this serial number) are set forth below as I have had them from the Custom Shop.  The guitar weighs 7.2 lbs on my scale.  The wood is a two-piece select swamp ash, a one-piece comfortable "U" shape (works for my average sized hands) that each master builder shaped to his specifications, custom wound '54 Strat pickups made to the specs of each master builder, bone nut, special COA (see photo) and two cases (brown poodle case and black fender plastic molded cases -- see photo array).   BOTH cases go with this sale! The case candy that came with this guitar as pictured goes with this sale.  The plastic molded case will be shipped separately (empty) to the lucky buyer of this collectible and great sounding guitar.   I recently had my luthier do a complete set-up on her and she plays like a dream, perfect action and he took photos at my request to further demonstrate her authenticity (see the photo array with Dennis Galuszka's initials and writing on the neck and in the pickup cavities).  Since these guitar were meant to look like they were from 1954, they have lacquer checking and some very light relic'ing to the taste of the master builder to give the guitar that 50 year old "closet classic" look and feel (see below for more finish notes for this guitar).  This guitar has not been played much and is (conservatively) in very good-excellent condition.  

Three helpful modifications made to the guitar:  (1) the guitar originally had the 3 way switch installed and a 5 way switch came in the case from the FCS, the 5 way is now in the guitar for more tonal options and the 3 way switch goes with the guitar (in the case); (2) the second tone control knob also controls the bridge pickup (generally preferred that to having the bridge pickup "wide open" and it is simple to change, if you like) and (3) in order to preserve and protect the original '54 volume and tone knobs (see photo array), a set of similar looking Jimmy Vaughn volume and control knobs were added from a 1957 Strat reissue (on the guitar as pictured).  I am not interested in any trades.  

"FINE PRINT":  The guitar is sold as-is with no warranties and I do not accept returns.  I deal straight up with people and my rating reflects this fact.  Payment for the guitar must be made within 2 hours of purchase or I retain the right to cancel the listing and re-list her.  I will ship UPS Ground or Fed Ex Ground at my option and I only ship to the confirmed address that I am provided once you timely pay for the guitar via PayPal.  I only ship to the 48 contiguous United States. No international shipping. I will ship the guitar with insurance for the purchase price, it will be packed well and this will require an adult signature upon delivery.  Good luck on this fantastic master built guitar.

Complete Specs for this SPECIFIC Masterbuilt '54 50th Anniversary Strat as provided to me by the Custom Shop (based on the serial number):

Model Name: 50th Anniversary 1954 Stratocaster® 
Model Number: 015-1954-(803)
Series: Limited Edition Series
Body: Comfort Contoured Premium Ash Body with Off-Center Seam
Neck: 1-Piece Maple, U-Shape,
(Nitro-Cellulose Lacquer Finish)
Fingerboard: Maple, 7.25” Radius (184 mm)
No. of Frets: 21 Vintage Style Frets
Scale Length: 25.5” (648 mm)
Width @ Nut: Genuine Bone, 1.650” (42 mm)
Hardware: Nickel/Chrome
Machine Heads: Fender/Gotoh® Vintage Style Tuning Machines
Bridge: American Vintage Synchronized Tremolo with “Ash Tray” Bridge Cover
Pickguard: 1-Ply White PVA, (8 Hole)
Pickups: 3 New Custom Shop Vintage 1954 Single-Coil Stratocaster Pickups with AlNiCo 3 Magnets, FormVar Coated Copper Wire and White ABS Covers
Pickup Switching: 3-Position Blade:
Position 1. Bridge Pickup
Position 2. Middle Pickup 
Position 3. Neck Pickup 
Controls: Master Volume, 
Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), 
Tone 2. (Middle Pickup) - and also Bridge per luthier modification
Colors: (803) 2-Color Sunburst, 
(Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish)
Strings: Fender Super 250R, Nickel Plated Steel, Gauges: (.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046),
p/n 073-0250-006
Other Features: Each Instrument is Master-Built with Builder Logo on Back of headstock,
U- Shape Maple Neck,
Serialized Round-Hole PVA Back Tremolo Cover Plate, 
White ABS Knobs and Rounded Pickup Covers,
Single “Button” String Tree,
Black Face and Side Dot Position Inlays,
Vintage Styling,
Built with a Closet Classic Finish; as if Bought New in 1954 and Played a Few Times a Year and then Put Carefully Away. Has a Few Small Dings, Checked Finish, Oxidized Hardware and Aged Plastic Parts. 
Source: U.S. Fender Custom Shop
Accessories: Vintage Form Fit Case, Standard Molded Case, Strap, Cable
U.S. MSRP: $5,400.00
INTRODUCED: 1/2004 
DISCONTINUED: 1/2005 
DISCONTINUED COLORS: 
COMMENTS: In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Stratocaster guitar, the Custom Shop is building the Limited Edition 1954 Strat®. These faithful replications will be made with the same exacting detail as the original instruments, using many of the same machines and manufacturing methods used 50 years ago. Every deep body contour, pickup magnet and screw is a replica of a 1954 Strat. We even went as far as having pre-CBS Fender® employee, Roger Centeno, stamp each tremolo cover plate with the original die. And, yes they do come complete with the round holes!

Each guitar will be built by a Custom Shop Master Builder and will feature a nitrocellulose lacquered, two-piece ash body with offset glue seam and one-piece “U”-shape maple neck. Also, this limited release includes three new Custom Shop Vintage 1954 Stratocaster pickups, an original synchronized tremolo with “Ash Tray” bridge cover, bone nut, special documentation and an original form-fit Brown case.