Skip to the content

Menu
Skip to main content
Collections Menu
Fender Stratocaster, 1954
Fender Stratocaster, 1954

Fender Stratocaster, 1954

Manufacturer Fender Musical Instruments
Date1954
Mediumash (wood); maple
DimensionsOverall (HWD) (body): 4 1/2 × 40 1/8 in. (11.43 × 101.854 cm)
overall1 (body overall): 44 1/2 in. (113.03 cm)
overall2 (neck): 47 in. (119.38 cm)
overall3 (overall): 99 3/16 × 65 3/16 × 6 3/16 × 32 1/2 in. (251.969 × 165.608 × 15.748 × 82.55 cm)
Credit LineMoPOP permanent collection
Object number1995.34.1
Text Entries

This Fender Stratocaster electric guitar was crafted in 1954, the first year of production. Soon after launch, the Stratocaster surpassed the earlier success of the Telecaster and has since become the world’s most popular, versatile, and imitated electric guitar design. The Fender “Strat” featured breakthroughs in aesthetics and functionality that revolutionized the way electric guitars were made and played. Innovations included a highly-contoured body, a handheld vibrato bar, three pickups and an adjustable bridge.  

 

Ash body with a “tobacco” sunburst finish, maple neck with black dot inlay, metal hardware, and white pickups and pickguard.
CopyrightThe organization that has made the Item available reasonably believes that the Item is not restricted by copyright or related rights, but a conclusive determination could not be made. For more information, see http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NKC/1.0/
On View
Not on view
Fender Precision Bass Guitar
Fender Musical Instruments
Date: 1951-1952
Medium: Bakelite (TM); ash (wood); chrome steel
Object number: 1994.21.1
Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar Formerly Owned by Mike Mitchell
Fender Musical Instruments
Date: 1962
Medium: maple; rosewood; chromium
Object number: 1996.436.1.1
Blonde Fender Broadcaster Electric Guitar, 1950
Leo Fender
Date: 1950
Medium: ash (wood)
Object number: 1995.259.1.1
Thomas Electric Bass Guitar Formerly Owned by Buck Ormsby
Thomas Custom Musical Instruments
Date: c. 1967
Object number: 1999.752.1
Fender Stratocaster, 1968: formerly owned by Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
Date: 1968
Medium: wood; metal; plastic; paint
Object number: 1992.8.1
Fender Stratocaster "Brownie," 1956: formerly owned by Eric Clapton
Derek and The Dominos
Date: 1956
Medium: maple; alder
Object number: 1999.428.1
K&F Lap Steel Guitar, c.1943
K&F Mfg. Corp.
Date: c.1943
Medium: steel; pine
Object number: 1997.258.1
Customized Fender Precision Bass Formerly Owned by Donna Dresch
Fender Electric Instrument Co.
Date: 1980-1985
Object number: 1999.665.1
Gibson Electric Hawaiian Model E-150, c. 1935
Gibson Brands, Inc.
Date: c. 1935
Medium: rosewood; aluminum
Object number: 1997.265.1
Rickenbacker 360-12 Electric Guitar Formerly Owned by Roger McGuinn
Electro String Instrument Corporation
Date: 1964
Object number: 1999.854.1
TICKETS