This 1954 Fender Stratocaster is truly a special guitar. It’s the earliest Strat build I’ve ever come across and that certainly adds to its allure. What makes this guitar even more unique is the missing serial number on the vibrato cover, a rarity even among early 1954 Stratocasters. The standard serial number on the neckplate certainly sets it apart. The fact that it’s deviates from the norm is a clear indication that serial numbers on these early Strats were indeed random, debunking the popular theory.
The guitar’s rich history adds to its mystique. It was owned by a gentleman named Bill Wesley, who purchased the guitar directly from the Fender rep in Houston back in the 1950s. A letter from him details his experience and memories with the guitar, including playing alongside notable musicians of that era. The story of its acquisition is just as fascinating as the guitar itself — a journey that involves a flight to Calgary through snow-covered landscapes.
Upon closer inspection, the guitar reveals some intriguing features, such as the oversized pickup polepieces, slot-head screws on the pickguard, and larger-than-normal potentiometers. The unique characteristics and the fact that it’s likely a guitar sent back to Fender for reworking make this a truly exceptional piece.
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