Vintage Fender Stratocaster Refinish - USA 1954

Few instruments carry the same legendary weight as a 1954 Fender Stratocaster - the very first production year of the most iconic electric guitar in history. These guitars aren’t just rare; they’re the blueprint for everything that followed. Early ’54 examples are at the absolute top of the vintage world, coveted by players, collectors, and museums alike.

That’s why we’re genuinely thrilled to have this June 1954 Stratocaster here at Premier Guitars. With its 6-54 neck date, represents a moment in time when Fender was rewriting the rulebook of electric guitar design. The body - a single piece of ash - has been refinished in a gorgeous Blond that shows off its vintage grain, with the character of decades of playing built in.

This is a guitar that’s been played and loved, not locked away. Over its life it’s seen some changes that have kept it working at its best: a refret for smooth playability, a replaced nut, and a neck respray with the original Fender decal preserved. Original tuners are still in place, while the neck plate is a replacement (original neck screws retained).

Electronics tell a story of continued use and practicality: the bridge pickup is original, the middle is a genuine but non-original 50s Fender pickup, and the neck pickup is a Seymour Duncan. It wears its original single-ply pickguard and shield plate, though the pickup covers have been replaced along with the pots and switch. Importantly, it still carries its original bridge and saddles, original output jack and plate, with a replacement trem arm.

In the hand, it’s something special. At the nut it measures 41.99mm, a comfortable width that feels fast and familiar. Moving up the neck, at the 12th fret it opens out to 51.24mm, giving just the right amount of room for expressive playing. The depth is beautifully shaped - 23.55mm at the 1st fret for a smooth, fast feel, gently tapering to 24.77mm at the 12th fret for a handful of vintage comfort.

The setup is dialled in perfectly. Action sits at a super playable 0.25mm at the 1st fret, rising to a slick 1.25mm at the 12th fret, making this Strat an absolute joy to play. At just 3.58kg (7.9lb) it’s lightweight, resonant, and perfectly balanced - exactly what you’d hope for from an early ash-body Strat.

Plugged in, it delivers everything you’d want from a ’54: sparkle, clarity, and punch from that original bridge pickup and beautifully responsive feel across all positions. There’s an unmistakable magic to these guitars - one you notice the moment you strike a chord.

With clean, all-original examples now in the AUD $150k+ range, this beautifully refinished, well-loved example offers a rare chance to own the feel, tone, and history of a 1954 Stratocaster without the six-figure price tag. A piece of guitar history that’s ready to keep making music.

Comes in non-original HSC.

Features:

Action at 1st Fret: 0.25mm

Action at 12th Fret: 1.25mm

Nut Width: 41.99mm

Width at 12th Fret: 51.24mm

Neck Depth at 1st Fret: 23.55mm

Neck Depth at 12th Fret: 24.77mm

Weight: 3.58kg / 7.9lb

Model: Fender Stratocaster

Year: 1954 (Neck date 6-54)

Body: One-piece ash, refinished in Blond

Neck: Maple, refretted, resprayed with original Fender decal

Fingerboard: Maple

Bridge Pickup: Original

Middle Pickup: Genuine 50s Fender (non-original)

Neck Pickup: Seymour Duncan

Pickguard: Original single-ply

Shield Plate: Original

Pickup Covers: Replaced

Pots & Switch: Non-original

Bridge: Original

Saddles: Original

Neck Plate: Replaced (original screws retained)

Trem Arm: Replacement

Output Jack & Jack Plate: Original

Weight: 3.58kg / 7.9lb