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Fender Stratocaster American Made Special Limited Edition 50th Anniversary 54-04
Estimated price for orientation: 1 400 $
Category: Electric Guitars
Class:
Description Condition: New: A brand-new, unused, unopened, undamaged item in its original packaging (where packaging is applicable). Packaging should be the same as what is found in a retail store, unless the item is handmade or was packaged by the manufacturer in non-retail packaging, such as an unprinted box or plastic bag. See the seller's listing for full details. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition Brand: Fender Model: Stratocaster Special Edition
This Special Limited Edition USA Fender Stratocaster was purchased from World Music. You can see the store price tag next to the tuners. Never played, and never plugged in since purchase. It's only rarely been taken out of the custom vintage case a few times to show music buddies and to take photos. This guitar is revered by players and collectors as better than the deluxe model and more rare; see expert's review below.
Where are you going to find a New Genuine Limited Edition 50th Anniversary USA Made Stratocaster at any price?
These USA Special Limited Edition Commemorative Fender Stratocasters each vary a little bit in grain and finish. This one is stunning in person. The Classic 2 Tone Tobacco Sunburst finish is perfect! The clear plastic wrap is still on the pick guard, and the plastic blue wrap can be seen on the case latches. Virtually Brand New in a Time Capsule, unmolested, not tweaked, and not personalized yet in any way. Excellent to keep as a collector or as a canvas to build and personalize to suit your taste and style. Worth much more than listing price. I have not cleaned, polished, or touch up this beautiful Fender Stratocaster at all. What you see is the most honest representation possible for your bidding confidence. I will ship this gorgeous guitar quickly to the confirmed winning bidder. Thank you for viewing my auction.
• NOTE on Shipping: Shipping is NOT FREE! EBay's calculator is not right - often too high and difficult to make right. Shipping cost is determined by your delivery address and what delivery service(s) you want domestic or foreign. Cost only nothing extra in it for me.
Knowledge from the Fender Stratocaster Expert:
• The 50th Anniversary American Series commemorative Stratocaster has even more features that distinguish it from the standard production line American Series Stratocaster. These had ash bodies (usually characterized by distinctive grain patterns which made them particularly attractive), as opposed to alder used in the standard production line models, single-ply parchment pick guard (unlike the 3-ply ones on the standard production models) and only came in two-color sunburst with maple neck and fret board. These also came in the special oblong deluxe tweed case. Less obvious, and without a doubt the feature that makes the 50th Anniversary American Series so desirable, are the special Custom Shop '54 pickups they were fitted with (these pickups are not the same as the after-market Custom Shop 54 pickups available in shops, and cannot be obtained anywhere else, unless they have been removed from a 50th American Series) .
• Fender regrettably made it easy for scammers as all standard production line Stratocasters produced in the anniversary year of 2004 were fitted with commemorative neck plates. However, these alone do not make the guitars '50th Anniversary' models. Apart from the neck plate, these standard production line guitars are no different from those produced in 2003 or 2005. Many sellers now try to pass off standard production line American Deluxe and American Series Stratocasters as 'limited edition 50th Anniversary models' merely on the strength of the commemorative neck plates.What to look for when buying a 50th Anniversary American Series Stratocaster:
1 Color - MUST be two-color sunburst, no other color is genuine.
2 Body - MUST be ash, usually identifiable by prominent grain patterns.
3 Neck and fret board - MUST be maple, NOT rosewood.
4 Neck plate - 50th Anniversary etched plate.
5 Pick guard - Single-ply 11-hole parchment, NOT 3-ply white/black/white or any other color (the 50th American Series is quite possibly the only Fender Stratocaster model with an 11-hole single-ply parchment pick guard. All other parchment pick guards are either 11-hole 3-ply or 8-hole single-ply).
6 Pickups - Custom Shop '54s in 3 single coils configuration only, NOT HSS. Apart from the unbeveled pole pieces, these are difficult to distinguish by sight alone. If you have the opportunity, try out the guitar plugged into an amplifier, and, if possible compare with a standard Stratocaster, and you should be able to recognize a superior tone. However, tone is subjective, and a better way to distinguish the authenticity of the guitar by its pickups is as follows. The production line American Series models come with a hum-cancelling reverse wound / reverse polarity middle pickup, which means that positions 2 and 4 on the 5-way switch, which combine the bridge and middle pickups, and neck and middle pickups, are relatively hum-free. The genuine 50th Anniversary American Series on the other hand does not have a reverse wound / reverse polarity middle pickup, and positions 2 and 4 therefore hum as much as the other positions.
7 Case - oblong tweed case with crushed gold lining, NOT black molded case.
8 Fender inspection card - this should state the 'part' or model number 0102004-803 (10 denotes American Series, 2004 denotes 50th Anniversary model, 8 denotes a deluxe tweed case, and 03 denotes a two-tone sunburst finish) together with the serial number of the guitar (standard production line models will have a 'part' or model number 0117402-7XX).
For those wishing to acquire one of these not only as collectors' items but also as outstanding musical instruments, it is the 50th American Series they should go for. Apart from the gold plating and purely cosmetic features, the 50th American “Deluxe” is no different from, or better than, the production model American Deluxe, and with the SCN pickups, tend to have a more 'modern' than vintage sound. The 50th American Series, on the other hand, has an outstanding 'vintage' tone, and is widely acclaimed to be one of the best non-Custom Shop guitars ever produced by Fender. It is probably not surprising that there are now considerably more used 50th Deluxe for sale than 50th American Series', as owners have become wise to what they have and are more inclined to keep the latter. Accordingly, the 50th American Series' are becoming increasingly rare and rapidly rising in value.
Description
| Condition: | New: A brand-new, unused, unopened, undamaged item in its original packaging (where packaging is applicable). Packaging should be the same as what is found in a retail store, unless the item is handmade or was packaged by the manufacturer in non-retail packaging, such as an unprinted box or plastic bag. See the seller's listing for full details. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition | Brand: | Fender |
| Model: | Stratocaster Special Edition |
This Special Limited Edition USA Fender Stratocaster was purchased from World Music. You can see the store price tag next to the tuners. Never played, and never plugged in since purchase. It's only rarely been taken out of the custom vintage case a few times to show music buddies and to take photos. This guitar is revered by players and collectors as better than the deluxe model and more rare; see expert's review below.
Where are you going to find a New Genuine Limited Edition 50th Anniversary USA Made Stratocaster at any price?
These USA Special Limited Edition Commemorative Fender Stratocasters each vary a little bit in grain and finish. This one is stunning in person. The Classic 2 Tone Tobacco Sunburst finish is perfect! The clear plastic wrap is still on the pick guard, and the plastic blue wrap can be seen on the case latches. Virtually Brand New in a Time Capsule, unmolested, not tweaked, and not personalized yet in any way. Excellent to keep as a collector or as a canvas to build and personalize to suit your taste and style. Worth much more than listing price. I have not cleaned, polished, or touch up this beautiful Fender Stratocaster at all. What you see is the most honest representation possible for your bidding confidence. I will ship this gorgeous guitar quickly to the confirmed winning bidder. Thank you for viewing my auction.
• NOTE on Shipping: Shipping is NOT FREE! EBay's calculator is not right - often too high and difficult to make right. Shipping cost is determined by your delivery address and what delivery service(s) you want domestic or foreign. Cost only nothing extra in it for me.
Knowledge from the Fender Stratocaster Expert:
• The 50th Anniversary American Series commemorative Stratocaster has even more features that distinguish it from the standard production line American Series Stratocaster. These had ash bodies (usually characterized by distinctive grain patterns which made them particularly attractive), as opposed to alder used in the standard production line models, single-ply parchment pick guard (unlike the 3-ply ones on the standard production models) and only came in two-color sunburst with maple neck and fret board. These also came in the special oblong deluxe tweed case. Less obvious, and without a doubt the feature that makes the 50th Anniversary American Series so desirable, are the special Custom Shop '54 pickups they were fitted with (these pickups are not the same as the after-market Custom Shop 54 pickups available in shops, and cannot be obtained anywhere else, unless they have been removed from a 50th American Series) .
• Fender regrettably made it easy for scammers as all standard production line Stratocasters produced in the anniversary year of 2004 were fitted with commemorative neck plates. However, these alone do not make the guitars '50th Anniversary' models. Apart from the neck plate, these standard production line guitars are no different from those produced in 2003 or 2005. Many sellers now try to pass off standard production line American Deluxe and American Series Stratocasters as 'limited edition 50th Anniversary models' merely on the strength of the commemorative neck plates.What to look for when buying a 50th Anniversary American Series Stratocaster:
1 Color - MUST be two-color sunburst, no other color is genuine.
2 Body - MUST be ash, usually identifiable by prominent grain patterns.
3 Neck and fret board - MUST be maple, NOT rosewood.
4 Neck plate - 50th Anniversary etched plate.
5 Pick guard - Single-ply 11-hole parchment, NOT 3-ply white/black/white or any other color (the 50th American Series is quite possibly the only Fender Stratocaster model with an 11-hole single-ply parchment pick guard. All other parchment pick guards are either 11-hole 3-ply or 8-hole single-ply).
6 Pickups - Custom Shop '54s in 3 single coils configuration only, NOT HSS. Apart from the unbeveled pole pieces, these are difficult to distinguish by sight alone. If you have the opportunity, try out the guitar plugged into an amplifier, and, if possible compare with a standard Stratocaster, and you should be able to recognize a superior tone. However, tone is subjective, and a better way to distinguish the authenticity of the guitar by its pickups is as follows. The production line American Series models come with a hum-cancelling reverse wound / reverse polarity middle pickup, which means that positions 2 and 4 on the 5-way switch, which combine the bridge and middle pickups, and neck and middle pickups, are relatively hum-free. The genuine 50th Anniversary American Series on the other hand does not have a reverse wound / reverse polarity middle pickup, and positions 2 and 4 therefore hum as much as the other positions.
7 Case - oblong tweed case with crushed gold lining, NOT black molded case.
8 Fender inspection card - this should state the 'part' or model number 0102004-803 (10 denotes American Series, 2004 denotes 50th Anniversary model, 8 denotes a deluxe tweed case, and 03 denotes a two-tone sunburst finish) together with the serial number of the guitar (standard production line models will have a 'part' or model number 0117402-7XX).
For those wishing to acquire one of these not only as collectors' items but also as outstanding musical instruments, it is the 50th American Series they should go for. Apart from the gold plating and purely cosmetic features, the 50th American “Deluxe” is no different from, or better than, the production model American Deluxe, and with the SCN pickups, tend to have a more 'modern' than vintage sound. The 50th American Series, on the other hand, has an outstanding 'vintage' tone, and is widely acclaimed to be one of the best non-Custom Shop guitars ever produced by Fender. It is probably not surprising that there are now considerably more used 50th Deluxe for sale than 50th American Series', as owners have become wise to what they have and are more inclined to keep the latter. Accordingly, the 50th American Series' are becoming increasingly rare and rapidly rising in value.
Where are you going to find a New Genuine Limited Edition 50th Anniversary USA Made Stratocaster at any price?
These USA Special Limited Edition Commemorative Fender Stratocasters each vary a little bit in grain and finish. This one is stunning in person. The Classic 2 Tone Tobacco Sunburst finish is perfect! The clear plastic wrap is still on the pick guard, and the plastic blue wrap can be seen on the case latches. Virtually Brand New in a Time Capsule, unmolested, not tweaked, and not personalized yet in any way. Excellent to keep as a collector or as a canvas to build and personalize to suit your taste and style. Worth much more than listing price. I have not cleaned, polished, or touch up this beautiful Fender Stratocaster at all. What you see is the most honest representation possible for your bidding confidence. I will ship this gorgeous guitar quickly to the confirmed winning bidder. Thank you for viewing my auction.
• NOTE on Shipping: Shipping is NOT FREE! EBay's calculator is not right - often too high and difficult to make right. Shipping cost is determined by your delivery address and what delivery service(s) you want domestic or foreign. Cost only nothing extra in it for me.
Knowledge from the Fender Stratocaster Expert:
• The 50th Anniversary American Series commemorative Stratocaster has even more features that distinguish it from the standard production line American Series Stratocaster. These had ash bodies (usually characterized by distinctive grain patterns which made them particularly attractive), as opposed to alder used in the standard production line models, single-ply parchment pick guard (unlike the 3-ply ones on the standard production models) and only came in two-color sunburst with maple neck and fret board. These also came in the special oblong deluxe tweed case. Less obvious, and without a doubt the feature that makes the 50th Anniversary American Series so desirable, are the special Custom Shop '54 pickups they were fitted with (these pickups are not the same as the after-market Custom Shop 54 pickups available in shops, and cannot be obtained anywhere else, unless they have been removed from a 50th American Series) .
• Fender regrettably made it easy for scammers as all standard production line Stratocasters produced in the anniversary year of 2004 were fitted with commemorative neck plates. However, these alone do not make the guitars '50th Anniversary' models. Apart from the neck plate, these standard production line guitars are no different from those produced in 2003 or 2005. Many sellers now try to pass off standard production line American Deluxe and American Series Stratocasters as 'limited edition 50th Anniversary models' merely on the strength of the commemorative neck plates.What to look for when buying a 50th Anniversary American Series Stratocaster:
1 Color - MUST be two-color sunburst, no other color is genuine.
2 Body - MUST be ash, usually identifiable by prominent grain patterns.
3 Neck and fret board - MUST be maple, NOT rosewood.
4 Neck plate - 50th Anniversary etched plate.
5 Pick guard - Single-ply 11-hole parchment, NOT 3-ply white/black/white or any other color (the 50th American Series is quite possibly the only Fender Stratocaster model with an 11-hole single-ply parchment pick guard. All other parchment pick guards are either 11-hole 3-ply or 8-hole single-ply).
6 Pickups - Custom Shop '54s in 3 single coils configuration only, NOT HSS. Apart from the unbeveled pole pieces, these are difficult to distinguish by sight alone. If you have the opportunity, try out the guitar plugged into an amplifier, and, if possible compare with a standard Stratocaster, and you should be able to recognize a superior tone. However, tone is subjective, and a better way to distinguish the authenticity of the guitar by its pickups is as follows. The production line American Series models come with a hum-cancelling reverse wound / reverse polarity middle pickup, which means that positions 2 and 4 on the 5-way switch, which combine the bridge and middle pickups, and neck and middle pickups, are relatively hum-free. The genuine 50th Anniversary American Series on the other hand does not have a reverse wound / reverse polarity middle pickup, and positions 2 and 4 therefore hum as much as the other positions.
7 Case - oblong tweed case with crushed gold lining, NOT black molded case.
8 Fender inspection card - this should state the 'part' or model number 0102004-803 (10 denotes American Series, 2004 denotes 50th Anniversary model, 8 denotes a deluxe tweed case, and 03 denotes a two-tone sunburst finish) together with the serial number of the guitar (standard production line models will have a 'part' or model number 0117402-7XX).
For those wishing to acquire one of these not only as collectors' items but also as outstanding musical instruments, it is the 50th American Series they should go for. Apart from the gold plating and purely cosmetic features, the 50th American “Deluxe” is no different from, or better than, the production model American Deluxe, and with the SCN pickups, tend to have a more 'modern' than vintage sound. The 50th American Series, on the other hand, has an outstanding 'vintage' tone, and is widely acclaimed to be one of the best non-Custom Shop guitars ever produced by Fender. It is probably not surprising that there are now considerably more used 50th Deluxe for sale than 50th American Series', as owners have become wise to what they have and are more inclined to keep the latter. Accordingly, the 50th American Series' are becoming increasingly rare and rapidly rising in value.