… gave birth to the first Fender Stratocaster guitar. I’ve heard of a few early examples dating as early as March and April of that year, this particular example serial number 0256 is dated May 1954 on both neck and body. Apparently serial numbers for the Stratocaster started at 0100.
The Fender Stratocaster with the serial number 0001 is dated June 1954 and is well documented and owned by David Gilmour of the band Pink Floyd.
This guitar – Serial no. 0256 has a one piece ash body, one piece maple neck, patent pending bridge saddles, original “no name” kluson tuners, single ply pick guard, round string tree and original 3 way pickup selector switch.
The pickups sound exceptional and can be compared with a great sounding telecaster pickup from the early 50s.
I bought this guitar at the turn of the century (1999/2000) in Sydney, Australia and the previous owner purchased it in Nashville circa 1970 and brought it to Australia where is has spent most of its time “under the bed”.
Fender did get it right from the beginning and numerous re issues and tributes have been based on this design with great success and I suspect will do for many years to come.