Fender 60th Anniversary 1954 American Vintage Stratocaster (2014)

60th Anniversary American Vintage 1954 Stratocaster ®

Series: American Vintage, limited to 1954 copies worldwide, equipped with a commemorative plaque (neck plate) present in the first 54 models (the mine included)

Manufactured in the workshops Fender Corona CA USA.
Body: Swamp Ash Light Selected 2 parts 'off-center'
Nail body: Flash Coat Lacquer nitro finish.
Neck: Maple room
Varnish handle: Flash Coat Lacquer
Neck Shape: chuncky 1954 'U'
Number of Frets: 21
Type of Frets: vintage
Scale Length: 25.5 "
Radius: 7.25 "
Nut: Bone
Micro Channel: New 1954 Single-Coil Strat ®
Micro Central: New 1954 Single-Coil Strat ®
Pickup: New 1954 Single-Coil Strat ®
Selector: 5 microphones positions
Master Volume
Tone 1 (neck pickup & central), Tone 2 (bridge pickup)
Bridge: Vintage Synchronized Tremolo
Bridges: stamped "FENDER PAT. Pend. '
Tuners: Fender / Gotoh Vintage Style
Hardware: Nickel / Chrome
Pickguard: 1-Ply 50's White
Buttons: White polystyrene rounded
Strings: Fender ® USA, NPS 10/46

Delivered tweed "Single Stitch Center-Pocket" holster replica of the case provided in the early 50's, red plush interior.
Accessories: replica cloth 1954 jack, leather strap, bridge cover, 3 position switch, 2 extra tremolo springs, reproduction 1954 paperwork, certificate of authenticity luxurious cardstock letters gold silkscreened Ltd. (1954 Anniversary Strat ® Certificate) .

Fender link:
http://www.fender.com/series/american-vintage/60th-anniversary-1954-american-vintage-stratocaster-maple-fingerboard-2-color-sunburst/

Fender has managed to recreate an exact replica of a 1954 Stratocaster. They, for the occasion, returned to service some machines to recreate some parts such as bridges. Cover the microphones and the shield were made from scratch with the closest possible to the 1954 alloy alloy blending of PVC with styrene (ABS: Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene)! Note also the biggest form of buttons and rounded off the cover microphones. Everything is served with a Closet Classic finish in a holster specially designed for this model: the beautiful work! (Source: GuitarShop)

UTILIZATION

Handle with profile "U" quite thick, similar to that found on the Fender ® Nocaster models and early 50's Telecaster ®, however nice that fits comfortably in the palm of your hand. The "glossy" varnish is nice.
Used so far on (9.5 and "12") I am pleasantly surprised its radius 7.25 "rather flat keys (!!) Which is absolutely not annoying (The only reluctance I might have on such key). Weird, because the key to 7.25 "profile my Nocaster seems more" rounded "?!
I had the opportunity to test the model in the custom shop with a radius 9.5 announced, "I honestly did not notice any real big differences. Brief is perfect!

Excellent ergonomics, with pleasantly light with easy access to acute.
A good sound easily get the 5 positions of the switch. Brilliant from the first position to the more fat & round on the last.

SOUNDS

This instrument is very accomodating to all styles of music, except of course the metal.
Perfect for Blues, Country and the Rock'n'Roll ... This is also why it was created
It is mainly connected to my '57 Fender Twin. Microphones offer a range of beautiful sounds.
As mentioned above, the sound is crystalline, airy slamming with mild acute on the first positions to the more rounded sound more fat and warm on the latest.
Pfff, these pickups in 1954 are absolutely brilliant, much more airy with keeping those mounted on my ex Strat Custom Shop 1960 origins. J'adore all sounds.

OVERALL OPINION

Fender got us there a superb instrument to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the first Stratocaster.
Having missed the 50th anniversary model, and since the "Buddy Holly" model is rather overpriced for the "wealthy collector" that lambda musician (...) it was a long time I was waiting this reissue.

Cosmetically the guitar is beautiful with wood grain that stand perfectly color 2 tone sunburst with an exemplary finish and to top it all, an excellent quality / price ratio!
Indeed, this guitar approach and more easily the quality of a model "Custom Shop".
They have also released a similar pattern in 1954 finishing with a "heavy relic" (a little "too much" for my taste).

Now manufacturing is limited to 1954 copies, there will not be for everyone! To test absolutely if you see one of these beautiful.