Machines Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 (edited) My Dad is somewhat of a Stratoholic and has 4 US Strats and 4 Jap. The Japs are all for sale in a local store but not getting anywhere (prices a bit high in my opinion). There are 2 mid 80s Contemporary Series (1 x Fiesta red, 1 x sunburst) with Schaller locking tremolos, and also a standard Sunburst with 2 x P90 pickups (modded). There's also a more traditional mid-90s 1957 reissue (2 tone sunburst, maple neck). I've persuaded him he won't miss the 57 RI and to give it to me (more of a long term loan, i'd give it back if I didn't want it anymore). I've had a few guitars over time but never really felt any affinity with them to spend a lot of time learning, this one I hope will inspire me to actually learn to play properly. [attachment=218623:S1.png] [attachment=218624:S2.png] Edited May 19, 2016 by Machines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essexbasscat Posted May 5, 2016 Share Posted May 5, 2016 Very nice indeed, they had a good reputation I believe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leftybassman392 Posted May 6, 2016 Share Posted May 6, 2016 I had one of these - exactly this model - for a number of years. An excellent guitar it was too. I'm a big fan of Japanese Fenders from the '90s; pretty much as good as the American instruments of the period for a lot less money (I had a '72 RI Tele that was my main teaching instrument for years - boy I loved that guitar!). You won't go far wrong with that. As coincidence would have it I eventually gave mine away to my nephew in the (probably forlorn) hope that it would encourage him to take the instrument up again. I do occasionally wonder if it was the right thing to do, but it is what it is so no point worrying about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted May 6, 2016 Author Share Posted May 6, 2016 I've just done more research, this is in fact a 54RI not a 57RI according to http://freespace.virgin.net/john.blackman4/50s.htm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted May 6, 2016 Share Posted May 6, 2016 I was looking at sunburst strats with maple necks the other day... lovely combination Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted May 6, 2016 Author Share Posted May 6, 2016 I may get get an annodized gold pickguard for it... even more lush: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedmanzie Posted May 6, 2016 Share Posted May 6, 2016 Those are very nice guitars - I think it will have a soft V neck profile? I had one for a while, it was very light - about 6.5 lbs. A funk machine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leftybassman392 Posted May 6, 2016 Share Posted May 6, 2016 (edited) [quote name='Machines' timestamp='1462520775' post='3043666'] I've just done more research, this is in fact a 54RI not a 57RI according to [url="http://freespace.virgin.net/john.blackman4/50s.htm."]http://freespace.vir...ckman4/50s.htm.[/url] [/quote] Well it don't 'arf look like the one I used to have! (Link seems to be dead BTW. I assume that it would have highlighted the differences between them. ) New scratchplate looks good. My '57 RI had a single ply white jobby that frankly looked cheap & nasty but was apparently authentic. I assume it would be the same with the '54...? Edited May 6, 2016 by leftybassman392 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedmanzie Posted May 6, 2016 Share Posted May 6, 2016 54ri's have the round string tree, 57s have a rectangular. There must be something else but that's all I can remember Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leftybassman392 Posted May 8, 2016 Share Posted May 8, 2016 [quote name='Machines' timestamp='1462528691' post='3043756'] I may get get an annodized gold pickguard for it... even more lush: [/quote] Just had another look at this... Is that actually a new scratchplate; or just the original in a slightly funny light that makes it look anodised? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted May 10, 2016 Author Share Posted May 10, 2016 (edited) [quote name='leftybassman392' timestamp='1462701196' post='3044942'] Just had another look at this... Is that actually a new scratchplate; or just the original in a slightly funny light that makes it look anodised? [/quote] It's not my Strat - that's just a similar one on Google with a gold pickguard. Edited May 10, 2016 by Machines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leftybassman392 Posted May 10, 2016 Share Posted May 10, 2016 Got it. My bad. So, er, yes; it does look very nice... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbiscuits Posted May 16, 2016 Share Posted May 16, 2016 Lovely guitars - my first ever electric was a E series MIJ 1957 reissue Strat, in some strange metallic aqua blue (turned out to be quite rare colour apparently). It was great tho. Lovely grain in the maple neck/fingerboard, nice guitar. I ended up selling it for a 1994 MIJ Strat, which despite the lesser pedigree, was a better individual guitar for my tastes, and which I still have 14 years on. Both cool guitars tho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted May 18, 2016 Share Posted May 18, 2016 I've managed to stop myself gassing over a CAR '57 RI. There's something about the red, white and maple fingerboard that makes me go giddy!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leftybassman392 Posted May 18, 2016 Share Posted May 18, 2016 [quote name='dood' timestamp='1463566159' post='3052328'] I've managed to stop myself gassing over a CAR '57 RI. There's something about the red, white and maple fingerboard that makes me go giddy!! [/quote] Never fancied CAR. Just doesn't do it for me. No idea why. Now if you'll excuse me I'm off to wash my mouth out with soap and water... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu_g Posted May 18, 2016 Share Posted May 18, 2016 heres my squier e serial strat fitted it with custom shop 54 pickups [attachment=219627:IMG_0433.jpg] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlloyd Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 Perfect. I much prefer the wider spacing of the 12th fret dots compared with current models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassnut62 Posted August 21, 2016 Share Posted August 21, 2016 Absolutely awesome loan score from your Dad. I have exact same early 90s ST54 MIJ. Great guitar as good as any USA Strat; but I did find pups were a little anonymous, even tho US Custom Shop. I replaced mine with Lindy Fralin Vintage Hot pups and now this is my fave guitar. It has funkiest sound on the planet and has a kick too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted August 22, 2016 Share Posted August 22, 2016 [quote name='leftybassman392' timestamp='1463591692' post='3052681'] Never fancied CAR. Just doesn't do it for me. No idea why. [/quote] I'm the same. CAR & any sunburst finish are total no-no's for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted August 22, 2016 Author Share Posted August 22, 2016 [quote name='Bassnut62' timestamp='1471813077' post='3116125'] Absolutely awesome loan score from your Dad. I have exact same early 90s ST54 MIJ. Great guitar as good as any USA Strat; but I did find pups were a little anonymous, even tho US Custom Shop. I replaced mine with Lindy Fralin Vintage Hot pups and now this is my fave guitar. It has funkiest sound on the planet and has a kick too. [/quote] I agree, his other Strats are generally high spec pickups (Texas Hot Rods or Noiseless etc) so this is a bit weedy in comparison. I'd rather leave this as it is spec wise (as it's a very good exampl eof a period correct instrument) but perhaps just steal something else from him. That SRV Strat of his has been in the case for 6 months... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealting Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Gotta love those 50s-era Strats, here's the one I gig most heavily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts