Pfew, that neck is a beauty! 🎸

Man that thing is amazing. And your playing is smokin!

I love it when actual players get their hands on these instruments...and play them.

That guitar is a ringer, great playing as always man!

Friendship ended with 59 strat. 54 strat is my best friend now.

YES, you and that guitar are made for each other. What a tone out of that neck pickup. Blown away by you both.

Beautiful Strat and playing. I thoroughly enjoy watching you play. I started in '67 but have lost most of my chops to rheumatoid arthritis. Play like there's no tomorrow, someday it will begin to slowly slip away.

Oh my goodness. This is the sound that made me fall in love with Strats back in the late 80s. They became and are still my favourite guitar. When you get a ‘special’ one there is nothing else like them. So organic and harmonically rich. This has inspired me. I think I have got lost the last few years in technology and modernistic approaches to what a guitar should sound like. THIS is what a guitar should sound like! Thank you so much Matthew for giving me this reminder. What a guitar!! 😮

Okay. I'm gonna say it. That....was THE best sounding Strat I have ever heard. I listened to the video with my usual headphones on, and each and every nuance of tone, ethereal sound was there. Simply amazing.

Leo was amazing. What a treat to hear how intonated that thing is... it's a total testimony to his genius. The tones you are getting from this guitar are heavenly. THAT'S what a Strat is supposed to sound like. You're playing is perfect as always!! Nice work, Matthew!! ✌😉🔥

Gorgeous instrument.

Ten years gone. So good! Thank you so much for sharing this guitar Matt!

I had the pleasure of dragging the bow across the strings of a real Stradivarius when I was working at a local shop 10 years ago. I dont play the violin, and this particular instrument was in very rough condition, (I found out later that the owner spent over $20,00 to restore it). But it was the real deal, the label was dated 1702, and was signed by Signore' Antonio himself. I tuned it to pitch and I heard the sweetest "A" that I ever heard in my life. So what? Who cares? That guitar remimds me of that Stradivarius. Some instruments just knock the wind right out of you, and you never forget them, even if you only play them for a few minutes.i

That outro has some zep’s ten years gone vibe. Such a dream tone man!

Wow, I am blown away. That tone is insane! Great playing as always. 🔥🔥🔥

That thing sounds fantastic! Keep all the great content coming Matthew - love seeing things like this.

54 has a lot of stories to tell..... but still for me, your 59 is the coolest looking strat I've ever seen. And I love that vintage hum

Your playing lately has been unbelievable man. Truly an inspiration to my own playing. Thank you!🙏🏼

Absolutely outstanding! That tone, the sustain is insane, man.

Always a pleasure Matt. I look forward to the new gear, and your playing makes me smile.

That’s the best Strat I’ve even heard. That Bridge pickup, slightly over driven is holy grail tone.

Awesome playing Matthew, love the guitar!

Thanks Matthew. What a sound...and all the right notes/intentions to make it absolutely soar ! It literally sounds like it's laughing, shouting and crying with joy!!!

Thoroughly enjoyed that. Love the space in your playing.

Matthew, you did that front pickup justice and more. I could listen to you play it all day!!

What a beautiful and rare guitar - and how lucky we are that you played for us so we can all hear how amazing it sounds. Well done.

Been with you for a long time and this is amazing!! Good for you!! And Mirrors is still one of my all time favorite strat and just over all songs. Awesome Bro.

Mad love for this guy’s playing. Really enjoyed watching your channel grow. Stay strong, good sir!

One of the best tones you have ever posted. Great playing as usual.

Its crazy how I get so happy for you when you find these gems. Keep up the wonderful vids Matthew

Wow…I absolutely LOVE that guitar. It’s the stuff of dreams. Thanks for sharing, and tasteful playing, my friend.

Some of the best playing I’ve heard in a long time, Matthew. Love it.

YOU Matthew are an exceptional “Axe-Man”, and I literally got goose bumps from the tone you evoked from this Strat…wow!

Saw the Andy Timmons and Tommy Katona video, and your solo just blew me away. IMHO you are one of the most soulful players alive. We could debate about who was the luckier: you for the privilege of playing this guitar; or the guitar for getting into the hands of an amazing player.

Matthew that guitar simply oozes the sound and tone that makes fender unique. Love this kind of demo most of these are out of circulation and many of us have never heard a 54. Thanks

Sweet mother of pearl … what a totally amazing Strat … sweetest tone I’ve ever heard 😲

Could listen to this strat for hours.. this guitar is simply Amazing what an history

You made me love watching videos about vintage guitars. Your touching words: "Unfortunately, this guitar does not beling to me", made me feel that I should write a comment to support you. Great job overal with sharing your love to guitarsband music in general. Always watch your videos with interest. Good luck!

Wow what a smooth ,warm sound!!

Oh my God! The harmonic overtones when you play those dissonant double stops! I've never heard a more beautiful sound. I'm in awe.....

That Zeppelin meets Hendrix outro is amazing! 🤩🤩🤩

The clarity and sustain on that guitar is insane, I like the twang you can get out of it too.

Awesome Video! Kept me glued till the end wanting more 😁👍

Love your work Matt ..........Keep these great video's coming Man, '' All The Best ! ''

Fellow strat player here.... I am drooling over this '54...awesome tone and great playing and feel man...love it..:)

I think that is probably the best video you have ever done, really enjoyed it. My heart broke when you said it wasn't actually yours.

Beyond beyond incredible! Real happy for you man.

You are so knowledgeable when it comes to vintage Strats. It's really a pleasure to watch and accumulate every bit of info in that special part of my brain dedicated to "I'm fun at parties" informations. And your playing is insanely good, of course.

Matthew, that presentation was beautiful! I've been a fan of the '54 since I was a teenager, having learned that my new favorite, Laurie Wisefield of Wishbone Ash, played one. Incredible, emotive tone.

Hi, Man you just brought back some wonderful memories. My first memory of hearing an electric guitar was in 1962, when a friend played in a high school talent show. The song was Stick Shift w/vibrato. It was magic! He had the exact Stratocaster you are playing in this video. He started me on a lifelong musical carrerr. Sadly, he passed away two years ago. In 1963 my dad surprised me with a Fender Jaguar. Like I said....MAGIC! Shalom/gw

beautiful sound, great playing as always

That is a gorgeous guitar and some great playing! Thank you for sharing that.

That strat has the magic!!!

Really is the perfect sounding strat. The bridge tone is to die for. A true tone beast. Love it.

Fantastic Matthew Thankyou for sharing ,That intro was so smooth sounding beautiful guitar.

Great content as usual, superb playing as well! Keep up the wonderful work you do.

I'm a 1954 model as well. I wish I had lasted as well as this guitar 🎸

Wow is all I can say. Something about a vintage strat tuned to Eb through a vintage fender tube amp. The pick response is phenomenal

Always a pleasure watching your videos. Thanks for sharing such an awesome guitar

Looks and sounds excellent! Great find Matt and keep rocking!! 👍👍🎸😎

The guitar sounds great! Thanks Rich for letting Matthew play your wonderful guitar and to make some videos of it. I think it's really important to hear such guitars through vintage equipment, document what they sound like, and remind us why they became so iconic. Matthew, could you post some information on the settings you were using on the Amp/Make/Model/Year, and were you using the pots wide open? It will make trying to replicate that vintage full sound on my gear a bit easier. I'm really looking forward to seeing more videos featuring this guitar. 👍😎👌

you are a legend sir.🎸🎵🎵🎸🎸🎵🎵🎵

Nice job of showcasing the sounds and tones in that strat! Your playing has improved as well, seems to get better with every video!

Wow, incredible specimen! Can't believe how light it is. Really nice, thanks for sharing! 😎

I am familiar with the Strat sound, and this guitar is very different. It has a more dark timbre. (It's a good thing! I LOVE IT!) I think, as you said, that is due to the different pickups. Of course, that is just my opinion as to tone. Others may hear it differently. Since it is a first year Strat, I'm sure there were variations with every guitar that was made. The wood used for the neck was also a bonus. WOW. As for issues, this was a guitar that was played, yet kept in good shape. A refret would've been necessary, and also the fretboard sanding. Let's be real, ok? Leo Fender didn't make guitars just so 70 years later people would collect them and worry about what changes were made. Leo made guitars for WORKING musicians. I would expect a 54 Strat that has been played to have some changes. Leo meant for his guitars to be easily worked on, modified and in the end.......to keep on going. In other words, he got it right from the beginning. This guitar is still around, and it is still amazing. The sounds coming from the highly skilled fingers of Matthew.......this would have made Leo happy. I know I feel that way. (I own a strat, so I am biased. bla.)

what a dreamboat. It reminds me of Otis Rush's strat on the Cobra recordings. Thanks for sharing Matthew

That things fell into the right hands. The sound you pushed out of it was incredible Congrats! (that neck flame.. good lord..)

Beautiful playing and amazing tones !!! 💯

Certainly an exceptional guitar! Wonderfully ably demonstrated as ever.

I really love rosewood board Strats and I'm usually not as keen on maple boards, but this guitar sounds amazing. Thanks for sharing it Matthew!

Yeah man. That's definitely you. Awesome tone killer looks. I'm so excited for you bud ..2thumbs up.....

Loved loved loved this video, Matthew, especially the outro. Made my weekend and it's only early Friday evening.

I love how you threw in that little Zepplin in at the end around 14:55. Sweet sound on that strat :0)

He should give that thing to you. THat was perhaps the most sublime example of strat playing i've ever heard

Nice job Matthew and thanks for sharing your expereince with this lovely instrument.

I LOVE the little SRV improvisation! You are so underrated!

You just made my day!! Thanks for sharing your incredible guitar story and playing.

I'm not really a strat guy ngl, but that sounds amazing, Truly a one of a kind magical beast. Really enjoy the content keep up the good work.

What a beautiful sound. Thank you for the opportunity to hear it.

What a guitar man. Wow, congrats! The tone too, really good!

Get it Matt,hell yes!!!🤘👍🔥

Great video and awesome playing. I didn't notice any single coil hum coming from this guitar even when overdriven. The hum was definitely more noticeable on the Mary Kaye Strat.

sounds gorgeous....great channel Matthew

Amazing sounding guitar and killer playing as always Matt. You always do justice to the great gear you show us!

Wow, uncertain if it's You and Guitar or combination of those and amp but Wow, what a different sound!!!! Sweet!!!! Congratulations and Applause!!!!!

My favorite guitar is the one I have in my hands! Love the tone that this one has!

Awesome, both the Strat and your playing!

Indeed a very special guitar, your playing was very, very good as always. Always look forward to your videos and enjoy your content. Thanks for sharing 🎸🤠

That tone at 2:10 is some of the best I've ever heard. That, to me, is much more of a "holy grail" tone.

This is one stunning guitar and as always great playing Matthew. To answer your question on why the D Pole magnet was raised. The ability for a magnet to transfer the energy is based on the mass of the string and the distance between the string and the pole. Although the D appears to be fairly thick, it's a wound string. With energy transfer it's not the diameter of the wound string but the diameter of the core of the string (the string that runs the length) that matters, making the D string one of the thinnest strings on the guitar, hence a very low output string. Raising the pole of that string helps to keep the overall volume of the strings more even. Staggered Poles are still evident on many pick up designs today, for the very same reason. Thanks for the great videos and keep it up! Cheers

That neck. That tone. Huge thanks to your friend for allowing you to share the guitar with the rest of us plebs.

Amazing , congrats!! Beautiful playing

Once again, thank you for gracing us with your extensive knowledge on the history of these guitars and what I now regard as the epitome of tone for any piece of gear. Most of us will not ever see these in real life, let alone hear them. My most humble thanks is extended towards you for what you have done for the guitar-lovers. Like a ray of sunshine, or a good cup of coffee, sometimes the greatest pleasures come from the simplest of things, presented in the kindest and most perfect of ways.

That guitar has been here to witness the birth of all major rock and metal hits It witness bbking it witness Hendrix it witnessed led zeppelin and much more And it's still here to tell the tale xd

absolutely magical bold as love improvisation in the beginning man.

That neck pickup sound was incredible. Love that flamey neck! A gem indeed.

It's got a very nice thump to each note.

A marvel ! In a pretty good shape. Buddy Holly's strat had the plastic of the neck pickup broken, and this one no, after more than 60 years !

Just doesn't get any better - epic!

Im really glad you both found each other , there meant to be played and enjoyed , who better than someone as good and respectful as you . Keep on rockin dude 👍