Fender 1954 Stratocaster Masterbuilt Reissue by Todd Krause

Live demo recorded by @joewestau at PREMIER GUITARS in Sydney of a beautiful Todd Krause Masterbuilt 1954 Fender Stratocaster Reissue.

Todd Krause has built exquisitely crafted custom instruments for many of the world’s greatest artists, including Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, David Gilmour, Robbie Robertson, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Robin Trower, Roger Waters and many others. 

The Limited Edition 1954 Stratocaster guitars were built from January 15th to December 31st of 2004, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Stratocaster guitar. They are faithful replications made with the same exacting detail as the original instruments, using many of the same machines and manufacturing methods used 50 years ago. Every deep body contour, pickup magnet and screw is a replica of a 1954 Strat. Fender even went as far as to have pre-CBS Fender employee, Roger Centeno, stamp each tremolo cover plate with the original die. 

This guitar features a nitro-cellulose lacquered, two-piece ash body with offset glue seam, and one-piece “U”-shape maple neck. This limited release guitar also includes three new Custom Shop Vintage 1954 Stratocaster pickups - custom reproductions of the original 1954 pickups. The finish and body contours also match the original exactly. There are also features and details that have yet to be seen on a reproduction, including the unique knobs, switch tip, pickguard, tremolo cover plate and pickup covers that have been retooled and manufactured using the exact formulas and materials that were used on the original parts. 

See the guitar here:

[Tonetwisters]

SuhWEET in every way!! Has that bell ringing tone that is so rare in today's Casters! Lovely playing.

[NigelWelch-xh]

Nigel in Canada 🇨🇦
he is playing 'Old Love' by Eric Clapton
Am, Dm, Gsus,G

[klausrusswurm]

Cool Guitar, great Master build. Very good Strat Tone. 🎼🎸🎼🎸👍🙂

[ADR.Hi-Gain]

Absolutely Gorgeous !! Todd did the neck dress on my 2001- 1956 CS Mary Kaye Relic.

[earthmachine]

WOW! That axe has some serious mojo! Very nice version of "Old Love..."

[holomatrix]

I had a go on one of these a couple of years ago, the craftsmanship on these are very different to the newer strats, the switch cover is like a rugby ball, the pot knobs are more taller than normal, the pickup covers are rounded on the edges (I think they were bakelite) the headstock and neck is rounded & hand sanded on the edges just like the real 54s. I was shaking when I played it, the tone on her is like a bell, just unblemished. They're like works of art (especially the neck, the headstock is, rather different when you try one). I've had a few strats including a Gilmour Customshop, but those masterbuild 54s are just something else, if I could EVER find one again, I'd probably buy it unconditionally. ❤

[marc_spence]

Killer tone and the playing is absolute fire! Love it!

[jcsk]

Sounds and looks wonderful. Tasting playing also.

[robinsonrojosolar]

Why didn't you try the other pickups? He only played with the neck guy

[NigelWelch-xh]

Nigel in Canada 🇨🇦
pick over the neck pickup to get the MOST TONE

[robinsonrojosolar]

Why do you only try the neck pickup? Yes, it is a masterbuilt, it is supposed to be the highest range from Fender, you should try the other pickups to see how they sound, I have heard Strats from the American vintage 1954 line that sound better than this one,

[NigelWelch-xh]

Nigel in Canada 🇨🇦
better tone than Clapton