1998 Fender '54 Stratocaster Custom Shop Gold Hardware, Orig Case & Paperwork- Aztec Gold
Description
No sales tax for US customers outside California.
A 1998 Fender Custom Shop 1954 Stratocaster Reissue in Aztec Gold with full gold hardware — one of the most visually striking configurations the '54 reissue was offered in, and a guitar from the era the consistently identified as a sweet spot of early CS production: low production numbers, high quality, and a level of attention to detail that the expanded later years couldn't always replicate. The Aztec Gold finish paired with a gold anodized pickguard and gold hardware is extraordinary in person. The soft V birdseye maple neck, 2-piece swamp ash body, and Custom '50s single-coils complete a package that is equal parts collectible and genuinely playable.
This guitar is from the end of the Cunetto era. Yes, the cert says 2016, but that is because the owner had the cert replaced then by Fender, and for some reason they dated the cert to the date it was printed. The guitar is clearly dated to 1998, and if you use the Fender serial number search it comes up as a 1998.
Condition
Guitar is in excellent condition with a couple superficial dings and no notable fretwear. The neck is straight, feels fantastic, and the truss rod has room for future neck relief adjustments. Setup was a breeze - this one really came to the party!
The original case and certificate of authenticity are included, as are the original gold trem cover and arm.
Excerpts from real online user forums and reviews
"A fantastic early Custom Shop Strat from when production numbers were low and quality was high." — Reverb.com
"The Aztec Gold finish really stands out — there are no inconsistencies or sloppy finishing. The neck is comfortable, somehow familiar and not challenging to play on for long periods of time." — Fender Stratocaster Guitar Forum
"The soft V neck profile, carved from beautiful figured birdseye maple, feels smooth and highly playable, while the lightweight 2-piece swamp ash body ensures balanced sound and excellent resonance." — Altitude Guitar
"There's gold in them hills! A rare combination, the Aztec Gold finish paired with an anodized guard and aged maple neck makes this Strat an absolute head-turner. The Custom Shop pickups have a vintage voice that replicates that iconic Fender bell tone — robust and dynamic and never thin or shrill." — Distinctive Guitar
"It feels every bit like an early-spec Strat, with a fast, comfortable neck and an exceptionally resonant acoustic response. The pickups deliver that woody, chirpy character you'd expect, with just enough midrange snarl to hint at the Tele-style roots this model evolved from." — The Music Emporium
Be sure to check out the other cool guitar related stuff on our site!
Fender electric guitars - vintage & used
Gibson electric guitars - vintage & used
The largest vintage & used guitar amplifier selection in Northern California
Vintage & Used Effects Pedals
SPECS:
Color: Aztec Gold
Weight: 7lbs 14.5oz
Body: Ash
Body Date/Code: See Pic
Neck: Figured Maple
Neck Date/Code: See Pic
Fretboard: Maple
Inlays: Black Dot
Frets: Original
Fret Count: 21
Nut: Original
Nut width: 1-5/8"
Radius: 7.25"
Scale: 25.5"
Neck thickness at 1st Fret: .83"
Neck thickness at 12th Fret: .99"
Action 1st String at 12th Fret: 2/32"
Action 6th String at 12th Fret: 2/32"
Overall Length: 38-3/8"
Lower bout: 12-5/8"
Waist: 9-1/4"
Upper bout: 11"
Body depth/thickness outside edge: 1-3/4"
String gauge: .010-.046
Hardware Color: Gold
Pickguard: 1-ply white (8 screws)
Bridge Pickup/Brand: Custom Shop '54 Single Coil
Pickup Reading:
Original?: Yes
Middle Pickup/Brand: Custom Shop '54 Single Coil
Pickup Reading:
Original?: Yes
Neck Pickup/Brand: Custom Shop '54 Single Coil
Pickup Reading:
Original?: Yes
Bridge: Original
Tuners: Original
Knobs: Original
Switch: Factory 5 Way
Pots/Codes: Original
Case: OHSC tweed
Notes:
Shipping policy:
There are multiple shipping cost options for purchases made on our site. Select Ground, 3 Day, 2 Day, or Next Day Air Saver. For Reverb purchases, there is one cost option for Eastern states - customers from any state that is more than a 3 day UPS ground shipment from our shop will get their shipment via UPS 3 day air. Otherwise, ground shipping will be used. Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions. If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to . Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.
A 1998 Fender Custom Shop 1954 Stratocaster Reissue in Aztec Gold with full gold hardware — one of the most visually striking configurations the '54 reissue was offered in, and a guitar from the era the consistently identified as a sweet spot of early CS production: low production numbers, high quality, and a level of attention to detail that the expanded later years couldn't always replicate. The Aztec Gold finish paired with a gold anodized pickguard and gold hardware is extraordinary in person. The soft V birdseye maple neck, 2-piece swamp ash body, and Custom '50s single-coils complete a package that is equal parts collectible and genuinely playable.
This guitar is from the end of the Cunetto era. Yes, the cert says 2016, but that is because the owner had the cert replaced then by Fender, and for some reason they dated the cert to the date it was printed. The guitar is clearly dated to 1998, and if you use the Fender serial number search it comes up as a 1998.
Condition
Guitar is in excellent condition with a couple superficial dings and no notable fretwear. The neck is straight, feels fantastic, and the truss rod has room for future neck relief adjustments. Setup was a breeze - this one really came to the party!
The original case and certificate of authenticity are included, as are the original gold trem cover and arm.
Excerpts from real online user forums and reviews
"A fantastic early Custom Shop Strat from when production numbers were low and quality was high." — Reverb.com
"The Aztec Gold finish really stands out — there are no inconsistencies or sloppy finishing. The neck is comfortable, somehow familiar and not challenging to play on for long periods of time." — Fender Stratocaster Guitar Forum
"The soft V neck profile, carved from beautiful figured birdseye maple, feels smooth and highly playable, while the lightweight 2-piece swamp ash body ensures balanced sound and excellent resonance." — Altitude Guitar
"There's gold in them hills! A rare combination, the Aztec Gold finish paired with an anodized guard and aged maple neck makes this Strat an absolute head-turner. The Custom Shop pickups have a vintage voice that replicates that iconic Fender bell tone — robust and dynamic and never thin or shrill." — Distinctive Guitar
"It feels every bit like an early-spec Strat, with a fast, comfortable neck and an exceptionally resonant acoustic response. The pickups deliver that woody, chirpy character you'd expect, with just enough midrange snarl to hint at the Tele-style roots this model evolved from." — The Music Emporium
Be sure to check out the other cool guitar related stuff on our site!
Fender electric guitars - vintage & used
Gibson electric guitars - vintage & used
The largest vintage & used guitar amplifier selection in Northern California
Vintage & Used Effects Pedals
SPECS:
Color: Aztec Gold
Weight: 7lbs 14.5oz
Body: Ash
Body Date/Code: See Pic
Neck: Figured Maple
Neck Date/Code: See Pic
Fretboard: Maple
Inlays: Black Dot
Frets: Original
Fret Count: 21
Nut: Original
Nut width: 1-5/8"
Radius: 7.25"
Scale: 25.5"
Neck thickness at 1st Fret: .83"
Neck thickness at 12th Fret: .99"
Action 1st String at 12th Fret: 2/32"
Action 6th String at 12th Fret: 2/32"
Overall Length: 38-3/8"
Lower bout: 12-5/8"
Waist: 9-1/4"
Upper bout: 11"
Body depth/thickness outside edge: 1-3/4"
String gauge: .010-.046
Hardware Color: Gold
Pickguard: 1-ply white (8 screws)
Bridge Pickup/Brand: Custom Shop '54 Single Coil
Pickup Reading:
Original?: Yes
Middle Pickup/Brand: Custom Shop '54 Single Coil
Pickup Reading:
Original?: Yes
Neck Pickup/Brand: Custom Shop '54 Single Coil
Pickup Reading:
Original?: Yes
Bridge: Original
Tuners: Original
Knobs: Original
Switch: Factory 5 Way
Pots/Codes: Original
Case: OHSC tweed
Notes:
Shipping policy:
There are multiple shipping cost options for purchases made on our site. Select Ground, 3 Day, 2 Day, or Next Day Air Saver. For Reverb purchases, there is one cost option for Eastern states - customers from any state that is more than a 3 day UPS ground shipment from our shop will get their shipment via UPS 3 day air. Otherwise, ground shipping will be used. Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions. If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to . Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.