I have an obsession with the 54 stratocaster to me its the best example of a strat alot of the players I look up to own one artists such as David Gilmour, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler etc. I'm just wondering would it be possible for a simple working person to get one or do you have to be some sort of millionare if so is there any replicas of this guitar at the custom shop if there is any original 54s out there where would you recomend I go for them. I'm open to other strats as long as they are pre-CBS and from the 50s with the maple necks also what you would say is the best CBS strat to look out for thanks.

an original 54 strat.

David with his 0001 strat which is a 54.

That was interesting that the guitar may not be playable I've given it some reflection on what I would want but I'am a collector and even thou its alot of money I would pay for a 54 the idea of having a original 54 in my collection would almost complete it. how much would the original 50s strats cost

Thanks for that link (http://www.gbase.com/stores/gear/gearli ... ratocaster) its more in the right direction of what I'm looking for thanks I know that if I was to get a pre-CBS strat parts would be non original on the guitar just as long as the electronics and body wood are the same. I'm intregued when you mentioned you have a few old strats that are junk in your town do you have any specifications on them I just love old strats. the prices for the 54 wasnt as bad as I thought .

he has two old 50s strats and there warped cause of him is he nuts. I'd probably agree with you on that one what strats do you go for?

The Ej is probably the best vintage style you will find at less than CS prices.
I nearly pulled the trigger on one a while ago, and i still think about it.

I'm not a giant EJ fan, but the guitar itself is superb.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

you meen like the old blonde telecasters from the 50s the 57 model is a great strat I played one once it was custom shop replica and the sound was so clear my main guitar at the moment which I use alot is the David Gilmour Relic Strat the maple necks makes it hard for me to play it but I like it that way. the telecasters are a great secondary guitar I use to use a Les Paul as a spare but now I use a Telecaster

I reckon your best shot at getting an original '54 would be to sell your soul to the devil

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Rated "M" for meaty.

Everytime I picked up a reissue and compared to the real thing it always seemed off to me. Maybe the custom shop is different but off the rack didnt do it for me.

If I was ever to have the kind of cash to afford anything from the 50's or even 60's I would have to get everything appraised. I'd be so scared to be scammed.

Lots of interest in 1954 Strats lately. I guess people love that round string tree!

Vinnypop sure liked them too, remember? He claimed Lonely Boy sounded like a 1954

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

There was a father/son team on Antique Roadshow with Stratocaster #47,
their "Oh My God" moment ? $65'000.00. Replaced knobs and pick-up covers for sure, I don't remember if the pick guard was original.

Cheers,
John.E

For a 54 Strat expect to pay $40,000 to $60,000 depending on whether or not it was an early 54 or later in the year.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

If you will go for a replica, try the '54 Thin Skin, from Wildwood Guitars or Dave's Guitar Shop. I got mine at Music Machine for $1200, but they are sold out.

Here is a forum you will like www.vintaxe.com as it is mostly made up of collectors who know there $@!& but they are a bit stuffy like most I talk online with.lol

Expect to pay an arm and a leg. But if that is what you are looking for and really want you have picked the perfect time as it is a total sellers market right now and vintage axes are down about 30% from 07. I would contact someone like John Gruhn who is one of the most respected vintage dealers in the world and has his own site so you know you are not getting ripped off. For some reason I feel like you know all this already. Just to keep it real if you are looking around to see if anyone here has vintage gear for sale it aint going to happen. But I see no harm in feeling out and if I could help you I would.

Nevin I was the complete opposite and played a Tele for 13 years before buying my first Strat. So many people think a Tele is a one trick pony which is so far from the truth. There was a time all I had was 3 Teles and 1 my 85 62 reissue I modded with Dimarzio Fast Track pups and I could run the classic rock alphabet from AC/DC to Zep. I also had a bit of getting used to to do when I switched to a Strat because I was so used to the Teles volume/tone configuration being away from the bridge and the Strats volume knob used to make me feel a bit closed in at first. I still prefer the Teles configuration. Miami Mike had put up some footage of the late great master of the Telecaster Danny Gatton playing a Strat which I had never seen in his hands before and he removed the whole volume knob and poy and had it wired with the 2 tone knobs I guess he felt the same way and it also gave me an idea.lol But have fun with the Tele as they are gret.

+1 on the custom shop 50s strat. that's what I'd do, but it sounds like you can raise the cash for an original. Just to feed that GAS have a look at my friend Martin showing off his all original '54, from early in the year. He got it cheap years and years ago when nobody wanted them, and still gigs with it regularly, although he seems to prefer his '63 lately. I prefer his '61, but I know I'll never own one myself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaeTgrR7kCI

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"...Compared to the flowers and the birds and the trees, I am an Apeman."

does anyone have Satans address oj well I'm goin to hell anyway acording to John Mayer for going to the electric guitar rather than the acoustic (the electric reprisents the angel and electric is the devils instrument)I'll see him down there I might even see if he has a 59 les paul lying around I'm sure the devil has loads. On the subject the 52 Telecasters are a great instrument but I prefer my 60s Blonde with Rosewood