Up for sale, a 1999 Fender Stratocaster ‘54 vintage reissue model ST54-95LS in exceptional, 100% original condition and in perfect working order. This rare, top-tier “Crafted in Japan” Strat is virtually identical to the Eric Clapton “Blackie” Signature Stratocaster, sharing a number of premium features with that instrument including a trio of Lace Sensor Gold pickups, active MDX Mid-boost circuit and TBX Tone control, and a satin-finished 22 fret neck with a prominent V-shaped profile carve and a modern 9 1/2“ fretboard radius.
Tonewoods comprise an alder body and maple neck, and this guitar has a lively, articulate acoustic response. The Lace Sensor pickups feature a unique radiant Field Barrier system that surrounds both the coil and magnets, reducing 60-cycle hum. The patented Lace Micro Combs replace traditional bobbins, giving the player a wider tonal range and better string-to-string balance than traditional pickups. An active Mid Boost control replaces the Strat's second Tone knob, enabling the humbucker-esque warmth and richness of Clapton’s iconic “woman tone,” and the center-detent TBX tone control dials in additional thickness and boost. Weighing 7lbs 12oz, this Strat benefits from a professional setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and spot-on intonation.
The maple neck has a deep V-shaped profile carve with lightly rolled fretboard edges, filling out with a hair more roundness and shoulder in the upper registers, measuring .895” deep at the 1st fret and .990” at the 12th. The 22 fret maple fretboard has a modern 9 1/2“ radius, and the slender fretwire is pristine. This guitar plays cleanly up the 25 1/2“ scale with a straight neck and a responsive, optimally-adjusted truss rod, and the bone nut measures 1.650” (42mm) in width. The headstock sports a round string tree, and the Kluson-style tuning machines turn smoothly and hold accurate pitch. The “Crafted in Japan” script text and P-prefix serial are present above the four-bolt neck plate.
All of the electronics function as intended; the first Tone knob features Fender's patented TBX circuitry, a center-detent, stacked 250k/1 Meg control that acts like a standard Tone control from 0 to 5. Dialed up past 5, the control decreases the resistance, which allows more bass, treble, presence, and output to flow to your amp. The second Tone knob is the active MDX Mid-boost circuit, powered by a 9V battery accessed on the back of the body. Chrome-plated hardware includes the jack cup and tremolo with “Fender”-embossed saddles, and plastics comprise the one-ply pickguard and trio of gently aged knobs.
Cosmetic wear on the gloss Black finish is limited to a handful of minor nicks along the lower bout perimeter, some very limited scuffing on the top along the bass side of the strum path (beyond the guard), and a few dings and faint finish scratches on the body as a whole. The smooth satin finish on the neck profile is immaculate.
A Gator-brand gigbag is included.