The Fender Made in Japan Traditional 50s Stratocaster in 2-Color Sunburst combines one of Fender's most recognisable vintage-inspired looks with the build quality that has made Japanese-made Fender guitars so popular with players.

Its basswood body is paired with a maple neck and maple fingerboard, while three vintage-style Stratocaster single-coil pickups deliver the clear, articulate and expressive response associated with the classic SSS format. A vintage-style synchronized tremolo completes the familiar Stratocaster playing experience.

The 2-Color Sunburst, maple fingerboard and single-ply-style aesthetic give the guitar a distinctly 1950s-inspired appearance without turning it into a strict period-correct reissue.

This Pre-Owned example is offered in Very Good condition and includes a hardcase.

At A Glance

Pre-Owned Condition Report

Very Good Condition

This Fender Made in Japan Traditional 50s Stratocaster is offered in Very Good condition.

Very Good condition reflects normal signs of previous ownership while the instrument remains well presented and suitable for continued stage, studio, rehearsal and home use.

No faults, repairs or modifications have been supplied for this listing.

What’s Included?

✔ Fender Made in Japan Traditional 50s Stratocaster
✔ Hardcase

✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Condition Notes

This Stratocaster has been graded Very Good, making it an appealing option for players looking for a Japanese-made Fender that can be enjoyed regularly without requiring collector-grade cosmetic presentation.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This Pre-Owned Fender Stratocaster has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before sale.

Our checks include the three pickups, five-way selector, volume and tone controls, output socket, frets, maple fingerboard, neck condition, tuning machines, synchronized tremolo, saddles, hardware, tuning stability and overall playability.

The included hardcase is also checked for basic usability.

Service / Setup Work

All Pre-Owned electric guitars at Fair Deal Music are set up and checked before leaving the shop.

Our assessment includes action, neck relief, fret condition, intonation, tuning stability, electronics, pickup output, tremolo setup, hardware and overall playability.

Please note that setup can shift slightly during delivery because changes in temperature and humidity can naturally affect wooden instruments in transit.

Why Choose The Fender MIJ Traditional 50s Stratocaster?

Classic Stratocaster SSS Versatility

Three single-coil pickups and five-way switching provide the fundamental Stratocaster palette, from the clear neck pickup and distinctive intermediate positions to the brighter attack of the bridge pickup.

That versatility makes the guitar useful across everything from clean funk and blues to indie, pop and overdriven rock.

Maple Neck And Fingerboard

The all-maple neck gives this version the visual identity most closely associated with Fender's earliest Stratocasters.

Black dot markers and the traditional headstock design complete the understated vintage-inspired appearance.

Vintage-Style Tremolo

The six-saddle synchronized tremolo provides traditional Stratocaster pitch modulation while retaining individual saddle adjustment for action and intonation.

2-Color Sunburst Finish

Few finish combinations are more closely linked with a 1950s-style Stratocaster than 2-Color Sunburst over a maple-board instrument.

It gives this Traditional 50s model an immediately recognisable Fender appearance without relying on artificial ageing or relic treatment.

Made In Japan Construction

Japanese Fender guitars have developed a strong following among players who appreciate their consistency, clean construction and distinctive model ranges.

The Traditional series specifically combines that Japanese production with styling drawn from Fender's historic instruments.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Traditional 50s vs Traditional 60s Stratocaster

The Traditional 50s uses a maple fingerboard and visual appointments associated with Fender's earliest Stratocasters. The Traditional 60s moves towards the rosewood-board look associated with the following decade.

Traditional 50s vs Made in Japan Heritage 50s

The Heritage range takes historical recreation considerably further, with more period-focused materials, neck specifications and finishing. The Traditional is better suited to someone who wants vintage character without requiring strict vintage accuracy.

Traditional 50s vs Fender Player Stratocaster

The Player range offers a more contemporary Mexican-made interpretation of the Stratocaster, while the MIJ Traditional places greater emphasis on vintage-style appearance, fretwork and hardware.

Traditional 50s vs American Vintage II Stratocaster

The American Vintage II sits further up Fender's range and focuses more heavily on historically specific USA-made construction. The Japanese Traditional provides the fundamental 50s-inspired Fender experience at a different price point.

Who Is It For?

Blues Guitarists

The Stratocaster neck pickup and intermediate settings are particularly effective with clean and edge-of-breakup amplifier tones.

Classic Rock Players

The bridge and middle positions retain plenty of definition with overdrive, while the guitar responds naturally to changes in picking dynamics.

Funk And Soul Players

The characteristic Stratocaster intermediate pickup combinations provide the bright, percussive attack required for clean rhythm work.

Indie And Alternative Musicians

The simple passive electronics provide an excellent platform for pedals, including fuzz, overdrive, modulation, delay and reverb.

Fender Japan Enthusiasts

Players specifically looking for Made in Japan Fender instruments will appreciate the Traditional series' combination of Japanese construction and vintage-inspired styling.

Suitable Genres And Uses

• Blues
• Blues rock
• Classic rock
• Pop
• Funk
• Soul
• Indie
• Alternative
• Country
• Surf
• Rhythm guitar
• Lead guitar
• Studio recording
• Live performance
• Effects-based rigs

Why Choose A 50s-Style Stratocaster?

The original Stratocaster design established many of the features guitarists now take for granted: a contoured double-cutaway body, three pickups, a synchronized tremolo and an ergonomically positioned control layout.

A 50s-inspired Strat keeps the visual character of those earliest instruments, particularly through the combination of 2-Color Sunburst and maple fingerboard, while the Made in Japan Traditional interpretation is designed as a practical everyday guitar rather than a museum-level recreation.

That makes it particularly suitable for players who like vintage Fender styling but still want an instrument they can comfortably gig, rehearse and record with.

Story & Context: Fender Made in Japan Traditional

The Fender Stratocaster was introduced in 1954, following the Telecaster and Precision Bass as one of the company's defining solid-body designs.

Its body contours, three-pickup configuration and synchronized tremolo made it considerably more elaborate than Fender's earlier Telecaster, and the design quickly became one of the foundations of electric guitar music.

Fender's Japanese manufacturing story began decades later, but Made in Japan instruments went on to develop their own strong reputation and following.

The Made in Japan Traditional series takes recognisable elements from different periods of Fender history and combines them with Japanese production. The Traditional 50s Stratocaster therefore captures the aesthetic of an early maple-board Strat while remaining a production instrument intended for modern players.

Technical Specifications

Specification Note

Fender has produced more than one generation of the Made in Japan Traditional 50s Stratocaster, and some detailed specifications changed between versions.

In particular, earlier Traditional examples used a more vintage-oriented fingerboard radius, while Fender's current specification uses a 9.5" radius. No serial number or production year has been supplied for this individual guitar, so version-dependent dimensions have deliberately been omitted rather than assumed.

Power Requirements

No battery or external power supply is required.

The three single-coil pickups and guitar electronics are entirely passive. Connect the guitar to a suitable amplifier, pedalboard, modeller or recording interface using a standard 1/4" instrument cable.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Buying Pre-Owned can be an excellent way to access Japanese Fender models, particularly versions or finishes that may have changed between different production periods.

A Traditional Stratocaster is also an instrument designed to be played. This Very Good-condition example allows you to enjoy the build and character of a Made in Japan Fender without paying a premium purely for untouched cosmetic condition.

Every Pre-Owned guitar at Fair Deal Music is individually checked and assessed before sale.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Fender Made in Japan Traditional 50s Stratocaster in 2-Color Sunburst offers a particularly appealing combination of classic Fender styling and Japanese construction.

The maple fingerboard, Sunburst finish and straightforward SSS electronics give it everything most players want visually and sonically from a vintage-inspired Strat, while its Made in Japan origin gives the model a distinct identity within Fender's wider range.

Best suited for: Blues, rock, funk, pop, indie and players specifically looking for a Japanese Fender Stratocaster.

Customers usually upgrade from: Squier Classic Vibe instruments, Fender Player models and more affordable S-style guitars.

Most commonly paired with: Valve amplifiers, overdrive, fuzz, compressor, chorus, delay and reverb.

Our tip: Don't overlook the guitar's volume control. Backing a Strat slightly away from full output can soften the attack beautifully for cleaner rhythm work before you need to touch the amp.

Showroom feedback: The 2-Color Sunburst and maple-board combination gives this model the classic early-Strat appearance, while the Japanese build makes it feel like a serious working guitar rather than simply a retro-styled instrument.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Our knowledgeable musician-led team can help you choose the right instrument whether you're buying your first serious guitar, upgrading an existing setup or searching for something distinctive within the Pre-Owned market.

You can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians
• Carefully checked new and Pre-Owned equipment
• Birmingham showroom
• Secure ordering
• Fast UK delivery
• Friendly support before and after your purchase
• Decades of experience with new and second hand musical equipment

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

Fair Deal Music considers trade-ins and part exchanges across a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Your existing guitar, bass, amplifier, keyboard or other gear could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this Fender made in Japan?

Yes. The Traditional series is part of Fender's Japanese-made range.

Does it have a maple fingerboard?

Yes. This 50s-inspired version uses a maple neck and maple fingerboard.

What pickups does it use?

The Traditional 50s specification uses three vintage-style Stratocaster single-coil pickups in a conventional SSS arrangement.

Does it have five-way switching?

Yes. The five-way blade provides the three individual pickups plus the familiar bridge/middle and middle/neck combinations.

Is the tremolo vintage style?

Yes. It uses a six-saddle vintage-style synchronized tremolo.

What fingerboard radius does this guitar have?

Fender has used different radii across generations of the Traditional 50s Stratocaster. Without the serial number or manufacturing year for this individual guitar, the exact radius has intentionally not been assumed.

Is the hardcase included?

Yes. This Pre-Owned example is supplied with a hardcase.

Can I request a closer look before buying?

Yes. Our Request a Video Demo option is useful if you'd like to see and hear this individual Pre-Owned Fender in greater detail before purchasing.