Fender Stratocaster 1955

$4,775.00 to $73,355.43 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (15)

1 Critic Review

2 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Newer option

Fender American Original '50s Stratocaster

$1,750.00 - $2,099.99

5.0 (6)

Find out who is using Fender 1955 Stratocaster

22 wishlisted

31 saved

Page last updated Jun 10, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 2 stores. Prices updated June 10, 2026.

Store

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Price

$4,775.00

View Deal

$73,355.43 4 available Used

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Average Price: $39,065

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Solid Body Electric Guitars category, Fender Stratocaster 1955 is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Fender Stratocaster 1955". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began May 2, 2026.

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Description

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Discover the timeless allure of the 1955 Fender Stratocaster, a vintage gem that continues to resonate through the ages. Crafted in a pivotal year for Fender, this Strat embodies the refinement and innovation of early electric guitar design. Its distinct sunburst finish and single-ply white pickguard not only define its era but also its enduring legacy. Whether you're a collector or a musician seeking that authentic '50s sound, this Stratocaster offers a unique blend of history and performance.

Key Features:

Ash body with a maple neck and maple fingerboard for a resonant, bright tone
Iconic sunburst finish paired with a single-ply white plastic pickguard, capturing the quintessential '50s aesthetic
Bolt-on neck construction ensures sustain and ease of repair
Equipped with 3 single-coil pickups and a 3-way pickup selector, offering a versatile range of tones
Classic dot inlays for a straightforward, elegant look

Product specs

Brand	Fender
Model	Stratocaster
Finish	Sunburst
Year	1955
Made In	United States
Categories	Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material	Ash
Body Shape	S-Style
Body Type	Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type	Tremolo Bridge
Color Family	Brown
Finish Pattern	Sunburst
Finish Style	Gloss
Fretboard Material	Maple
Fretboard Radius	7.25"
Model Family	Fender Stratocaster
Neck Construction	Bolt-On
Neck Material	Maple
Number of Frets	21
Number of Strings	6-String
Offset Body	Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration	SSS
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Scale Length	25.5"
Series	Fender Vintage Pre-CBS Era
Wood Top Style	Plain

FAQs

What are the tonal characteristics of the 1955 Fender Stratocaster?: The 1955 Fender Stratocaster is known for its warm, rounded highs and lower output pickups, offering a classic vintage tone that is ideal for blues and rock genres.
How does the neck profile of the 1955 Fender Stratocaster affect playability?: The 1955 Stratocaster features a maple neck with a 7.25" radius, providing a comfortable, vintage-style feel that is particularly suited for chordal playing and smooth bends.
Is the 1955 Fender Stratocaster suitable for modern music styles?: While the 1955 Stratocaster excels in vintage tones, its versatility allows it to adapt to modern styles, though players seeking higher output may consider additional amplification or effects.
What makes the 1955 Fender Stratocaster unique compared to other years?: The 1955 Stratocaster is lighter and more comfortable than earlier models, with sharper headstock edges, making it a sought-after choice for collectors and players alike.
Does the 1955 Fender Stratocaster have a tremolo bridge?: Yes, the 1955 Fender Stratocaster features a tremolo bridge, allowing for expressive pitch modulation and classic vibrato effects.

Videos

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Carter Vintage Guitars

1955 Fender Stratocaster played by Joey Landreth

Carter Vintage Guitars

1955 Fender Stratocaster with Joe Bonamassa at Norman's Rare Guitars | Dec 5, 2018

Normans Rare Guitars

Guitar of the Day: 1955 Fender Stratocaster | Norman's Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Original 1955 Fender Stratocaster Sunburst

Ten Guitars TV

Ernie Ball: The Bonamassa Experience: 1955 Fender Stratocaster

Ernie Ball

Axes & Artifacts: 1955 Fender Stratocaster and '59 Fender Deluxe

Premier Guitar

1955 Fender Stratocaster | Norman's Rare Guitars | Guitar of the Day EP1

Normans Rare Guitars

1955 vs. 1966 Fender Stratocasters - Iso Lab

Premier Guitar

Original ’1955 Fender Stratocaster Test & Jam Demo

SonicGeek Leo

1955 Fender Stratocaster played by Laur Joamets

Carter Vintage Guitars

1955 Fender Stratocaster

Folkway Music

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Stratocaster 1955.

Build quality

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The 1955 Stratocaster features a one-piece body, which is considered rare and highly valued among collectors.
Source
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At 7.54 lbs, the guitar, known as "Alligator," features a 1955 ash body paired with a 1963 maple neck, making it a unique hybrid model.
Source

Features and functionality

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Original 1955 Stratocaster serial numbers are not sequential; neck plates were randomly selected from a batch, making each guitar's history unique.
Source
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The 1955 Stratocaster used by Graham Nash has a neck pickup installed upside down, with its cavity routed to accommodate the space needed.
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Mods and upgrades

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There's discussion about the possibility of black pickup covers being replacements on a 1955 Strat, suggesting that covers might need replacing due to cracking over time.
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Setup and maintenance

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Owners suggest consulting a pickup expert for determining the originality of components like pickups and assessing unique features like pole piece stagger.
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User experience

0 0

The guitar's lineage and personal history significantly impact its perceived value and emotional connection, especially when passed down through family.
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Use cases and applications

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The guitar was famously used by Jerry Garcia during the New Year's Eve 1970 show at Winterland, highlighting its significance in live performances.
Source

Critic Reviews

1955 Fender Stratocaster Serial #7589 - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

Full Review

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 15 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

mrrstrat

397

over 6 years ago

The Strat pattern that shaped music

I have this pattern Strat as my vintage tone guitar. I am using the Dimarzio Area series pickups (57, 61, 68). I also have the grease bucket mod as well and a pull-pot on my tone control to switch phase. I also replaced my neck with a 43mm nut 70s USA Fender American Special neck. Anytime I need a vintage sound I grab it.

skylinerr

5340

about 7 years ago

Good

I own no guitars i dont like this is a stock 55 a great guitar love it bought it 4 years ago for allot of money!

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Metal

Artist usage

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Buddy Holly

Singer, Guitarist

The Crickets

Verified via Photo

"Holley started making demo recordings in 1954 with friends including Sonny Curtis, Larry Welborn and future Crickets drummer Jerry Allison. A pivotal moment came on Feb. 13, 1955, when Buddy and Bob opened for Elvis Presley at the Fair Park Coliseum in Lubbock. Another pivotal moment came a couple months later, on April 23, 1955, when Holley walked into Adair Music in Lubbock and traded his first electric guitar to salesman Clyde Hankins for a brand-new Fender Stratocaster (priced at $305)."

via Fender

In the photo: Buddy Holly using the guitar with his band "The Crickets".

Alvin Lee

Guitarist

Ten Years After

Verified via YouTube

In the early days of Ten Years After, Alvin Lee played a 1955 Fender Stratocaster, as seen in the video "Ten Years After - I Can't Keep From Crying, Sometimes - FULL STUDIO" by Gun Clinger on YouTube. Influenced by The Shadows, Lee's use of the Stratocaster marked a significant phase in his musical journey.

Dave Amato

Singer, Guitarist

REO Speedwagon

Verified via Daveamato

As listed on his official website, Dave Amato owns and uses this instrument for home playing, live or recording work.

Don Wilson

Guitarist

The Ventures

Verified via Photo

Don Wilson is pictured with his 1955 Fender Stratocaster, showcasing his connection to this iconic guitar.

Jess Carson

Singer, Guitarist

Midland

Verified via Photo

On Jess's official Instagram, he posted a picture of two separate vintage Stratocasters. One is a 1959, and the other is a 1955. One is in 3 tone sunburst and the other is in two tone sunburst.

Jack Sherman

Singer, Guitarist

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Verified via Photo

You can see Jack with a 1955 Fender stratocaster

Sid McGinnis

Guitarist

Dire Straits

Verified via YouTube

"It was refinished when I bought and it's been my main go-to guitar ever since then...I don't own anything that's pristine," says Sid McGinnis, at 0:45 in this rig rundown video, by Premier Guitar.