1954 Fender Stratocaster - Rare Serial No. 209 One of the first rock and roll guitars made. Start Price USD 20,000.00 Current Price USD 20,100.00 Time Left - Bid Count 2 Buy It Now Price USD 27,500.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Friday, November 21, 2008 End Time Sunday, November 23, 2008 Location Houston, TX See more about '1954 Fender Stratocaster - Rare Serial No. 209' Description You are jones'in over this 1954 strat with a two-tone sunburst.  Serial No. 209, makes this guitar the 209th Rock n Roll guitar to ever be made.  It is awesome too.  The back and front of the neck/headstock has just the craziest birds inlaid.  Everything works.  I did put a correct period 5 way switch on the guitar because I like that split coil in between sounds, but the original 3 way switch comes with the case also.  Updated Photos:  Due to the overwhelming number of questions and interest, I took off the back plate and photographed inside the cavity.  There is a piece of tan masking tape that says “Gloria 6-1-54” inside the cavity.  One of the pots reads “100K   304341”.  I cannot make out the other pot values, but they look the same to me.  The pickups have black bottoms.  I took off the neck for the first time ever, and found it was signed "T.G. 5-54", which means Tadio Gomez, right?  Each of the 6 bridge string saddles says “Fender Pat. Pend.”  There has never been any other hardware on the guitar that I can tell, as there are no marks for different tuners etc.  I am no expert, but these frets could not be refrets, look at the pics.  They are well played, with a lot of life left in them, and the frets seem to be as old as the guitar.  It has aged very nicedly.  Did I say I just love the crazy bird’s eye in the wood all over the headstock and neck.    I am no expert (just a collector), but there is a very light clear spray in side of the cavity that is very, very old – An ebayer vintage collector told me that this was all original, nothing to worry about, and definitely not a refin.  But, I do not know, if not original from the factory, then possibly from the 1950s-early 1960s. There are some small dings in the finish, but it is in better condition that most I have seem.  Because their is not alot of belt buckle rash or wear on the back and top edge, that is why I had wondered.  However, there is absolutely no evidence of this, and I have dismissed the possibility that it was oversprayed, based upon knowledgeable ebayers/vintage collectors’ opinion that it is all original, atleast until somebody has another credible opinion they are willing to share with us. The stickers on the headstock do not seem to evidence anything but a normal life.  Look also at ebay auction no. 260317536149, which is Hank Williams, Jr.'s 1954 strat, it has the same spray in the cavity and they want $60,000.  I just marveled at how well mine was taken care of, and that is why I bought it here locally.  Let the Pics be your guide and come to your own conclusions.  All sales final, item sold "as-is".  I accept bank wire transfers or cashiers checks, preferably.  Comes with a very early Fender case.  I hope you enjoy her as much I have.  She is a player, with lower action, and fast action.  She is ready for a tweed Bassman.  I never gigged with it, but you can if you want to show off.  I haves turned down alot of money for this guitar in unsolicited offers. Oh yeah, 1959 TV Front Vox in the pics not included.  These pictures are proprietary to me, and I don’t want one certain famous book publisher to take and use my pictures (again) and publish them in the next edition of his tube amp book without asking me.  Allright, then.  Enjoy.   I do know, this guitar was making guitar history 6 years before I was born in 1960 (I’m 48).  You can see from the pics and headstock decal that it does not look like it the headstock or neck was ever messed with.  I have already reached my picture limit of 12 on this auction, but if you will send me your mail address I will send you photos of the cavity, pickups, pots/wiring, frets etc.  This is the real deal, don’t pass it up, it is priced very fairly under the circumstances.  When will you ever have a chance at a first year 1954 strat signed and dated by Gloria and Tadio Gomez for this price.  I reserve the right to pull this listing (or raise the buy it now) now that I know more about it, I might decide to keep it. Place a Bid!