Can anyone confirm if Fender Japan ever made in the 1980's a '54 reissue strat as opposed to the more commonly available '57's.

I'm not sure if they made such a re-issue so long ago (I suspect that they did) but Fender-Japan is currently cataloging a '54 re-issue......

http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/st54-vsp.html

HTH

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Thanks, but unfortunately it doesn't awnser the question.....nobody out there know?

Yes and No. There was a Japanese "50's" Strat reiusse (1985 and forward) of sorts that had the 54 style round string retainer, but they were not called "54 Reissues" at least not at the time they came out. So the guitar in question may have that "54" style retainer but the '54 desigantion did not go with it.

These guitars had poly finishes and basswood bodies. Great playing and good sounding guitars and in fact they had the correct dot spacing at the 12th Fret and the necks had a pronounced V shape to them, something that the US Vintage Reissues did not have at that time.

By the way, my references here are from Fender Price lists and catalogs from 1985 and forward along with the book "The Fender Stratocaster, A complete history of Fender Stratocasters Guitars" (it has a very good reference section of each and every model). I worked in a Fender Authorized Dealer and Repair shop during the the 80's so was very tuned into what Fender was doing during this time.

HTH

T2

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What time is it? It's Fender Time.

The ST54LS uses three Gold Lace Sensor pickups, TBX and MDX pots and a soft V-shape maple neck with 7,25" radius and 22 vintage-style frets.
Unlike the Clapton Strat the battery is housed into a special compartment on the back of the body.

This guitar was available in Vintage White, Torino Red, Black and Gun Metal Blue.

Thanks T2 stratman, thats interesting....i've owned a basswood body Japanese built Tele in the past and it was definitely inferior to alder or ash. I have custom shop tele with b bender which has a poplar body but unlike basswood that is excellent.

Yes I once owned a STR 54 going back about 12yrs. ago.

I picked it up at local music store as a used 50s style Strat.

When I took it apart STR 54 was stamped in the neck cavity.

Phil...I wouldn't say inferior, just different, basswood is a bit softer than Ash or Alder so it does change the tone a bit.

Also I think there were distinct differences in some of the MIJ stuff, some was much better than others...case in point I have a '54 Reissue Esquire MIJ with an ash body and it has a great tone, so maybe they assembled the stuff with the "better" woods with better components.

T2

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What time is it? It's Fender Time.

I have an '89 Made in Japan '54 re-issue.

Plays better than the USA models I've tried and usually when I swap with other strat owners during a jam, they end up loving mine.

It has the round string tree and 8 hole pick guard with a pretty deep V neck.

I'm not one to go taking stuff apart just for the hell of it so I'm not sure what it says on the neck stamp or pocket but I bought it new.