1996 Fender MIJ ST-54 Stratocaster – Sunburst / Maple

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A 1996 Fender Japan ST-54 with classic ’54 Strat looks, beautiful natural patina and a serious electronics upgrade featuring Fender Custom Shop ’54 pickups.

• Made in Japan in 1996
• Fender 50th Anniversary year
• Classic Sunburst finish with maple neck and fingerboard
• Fender Custom Shop ’54 Stratocaster pickup set installed
• Upgraded CTS/Fender pots, cloth-covered wiring and Fender 5-way switch
• Original neck and middle pickups, original wiring harness and older-generation Seymour Duncan Hot Rails included
• Yorkville teardrop hardshell case included

1996 was Fender’s 50th anniversary — and it was a great year for music. Rage Against the Machine released Evil Empire, Alice in Chains delivered Unplugged, Soundgarden released Down on the Upside, Stone Temple Pilots gave us Tiny Music… Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop, Jamiroquai released Travelling Without Moving, and Pantera released The Great Southern Trendkill.

More than forty years earlier, in 1954, Fender introduced the Stratocaster. There’s a reason it became one of the most iconic guitars ever built. Just look at the musicians who have played them and the music that has been created with one in their hands.

This 1996 Fender Made in Japan ST-54 Stratocaster captures that classic early-Strat look beautifully, with its sunburst finish, maple neck and fingerboard, and naturally aged patina. At 30 years old, it has the kind of honest wear you want to see on a guitar that has been played and enjoyed, while still presenting beautifully.

This one has also had some serious upgrades.

The original pickup configuration has been replaced with a Fender Custom Shop ’54 Stratocaster pickup set, Fender part number 099-2112-000. The Fender Custom Shop ’54 set uses staggered Alnico 5 magnets and Formvar wire, with the bridge pickup calibrated for slightly increased output while retaining the clear, bell-like character associated with a vintage-style Strat.

The electronics have also been upgraded with 250k CTS/Fender pots, cloth-covered push-back wire and a Fender 5-way selector switch. The controls are wired as master volume, Tone 1 for the neck and middle pickups, and Tone 2 for the bridge pickup.

Two of the original pickups — the neck and middle — are included with the guitar, along with the original wiring harness. Also included is an older-generation Seymour Duncan Hot Rails pickup that was previously installed in the bridge position.

Cosmetically, the guitar has developed a beautiful natural patina along with normal signs of use and handling.

Serial number: U030655.

The guitar includes a Yorkville teardrop hardshell case.

Key Features

• 1996 Fender Made in Japan ST-54 Stratocaster
• Sunburst finish
• Maple neck and fingerboard
• Fender 50th Anniversary sticker
• Fender Custom Shop ’54 Stratocaster pickup set
• Fender part number 099-2112-000
• Staggered Alnico 5 magnets and Formvar wire
• 250k CTS/Fender pots
• Cloth-covered push-back wiring
• Fender 5-way selector switch
• Bridge pickup connected to Tone 2
• Original neck and middle pickups included
• Original wiring harness included
• Older-generation Seymour Duncan Hot Rails pickup included
• Yorkville teardrop hardshell case

Key Specifications

• Model: ST-54 Stratocaster
• Year: 1996
• Country of Manufacture: Japan
• Serial Number: U030655
• Finish: Sunburst
• Neck/Fingerboard: Maple
• Pickups: Fender Custom Shop ’54 Stratocaster Set
• Pickup Part Number: 099-2112-000
• Pickup Selector: Fender 5-way switch
• Pots: 250k CTS/Fender
• Controls: Master Volume, Tone 1 Neck/Middle, Tone 2 Bridge

Condition & Originality

This guitar is 30 years old and shows natural cosmetic wear and patina consistent with a played instrument of its age. Please review the detailed photographs closely for its exact cosmetic condition.

The one-ply pickguard shows a very slight lift near the bridge pickup; it is subtle enough that it does not show clearly in photographs.

The guitar has been modified from its original electronics configuration. It currently has a Fender Custom Shop ’54 Stratocaster pickup set, 250k CTS/Fender pots, cloth-covered push-back wiring and a Fender 5-way selector switch installed.

Two of the original Fender pickups — neck and middle — and the original wiring harness are included. An older-generation Seymour Duncan Hot Rails pickup that was previously installed in the bridge position is also included.

Full Specifications

• Brand: Fender
• Model: ST-54 Stratocaster
• Year: 1996
• Made In: Japan
• Serial Number: U030655
• Orientation: Right-handed
• Finish: Sunburst
• Neck Material: Maple
• Fingerboard Material: Maple
• Pickguard: One-ply
• Installed Pickups: Fender Custom Shop ’54 Stratocaster Set
• Fender Pickup Part Number: 099-2112-000
• Magnets: Staggered Alnico 5
• Pickup Wire: Formvar
• Pots: 250k CTS/Fender
• Pickup Selector: Fender 5-way switch
• Wiring: Cloth-covered push-back wire
• Controls: Master Volume, Tone 1 Neck/Middle, Tone 2 Bridge
• Case: Yorkville teardrop hardshell case

What's Included

• Yorkville teardrop hardshell case
• Two original Fender pickups — neck and middle
• Original wiring harness
• Older-generation Seymour Duncan Hot Rails pickup, previously installed in the bridge position

International Shipping

International buyers are responsible for any applicable duties, tariffs, taxes, brokerage fees and customs charges assessed by the destination country or carrier.

The Rain City Guarantee

✓ Every order is professionally inspected and carefully packed before shipping.

✓ Fully insured shipping on every order.

✓ Canadian-owned independent music store.

Real Musicians. Real Service. Canada-Wide.