I really love that combination if playing style and sound. To be honest, I'm mainly here because of Aaron Hiebert. His playing has such a unique voicing and elegance and let's these vintage instruments shine.
Man, this dude has some KILLER chops on him! Every demo I've watched him do for you guys has been absolutely outstanding. Currently one of my favorites.
I ordered a mixed bag of screw lengths, for my Tele, and chose the appropriate lengths, for each. Nothing but brass barrels on my palm. Super easy upgrade, for a player grade, since it isn’t all original. I don’t know how people can comfortably play with that much exposed
Oh my God. My knees are weak. I don’t know what I love more, that tone or the Player. Ok. Deal. I love them both, equally!!! Gorgeous tone. Gorgeous Player. 🎶🎶🌻🌈🌅🎶🎶
It's amazing how the strings are perfectly centered over the polepieces...As a professional guitar maker I have worked on thousands of strats in my career and strings aren't always centered like that even on expensive ones... That really shows how artisanal strats were in the early years... Amazing video... Eric Johnson would love this one I'm sure...
Nice when the fretboard dots are also perfectly aligned / centered between the D and G strings. As a guy who has been painting bodies and necks and putting together strats and teles for 30 plus years, when both these things magically align after just simply bolting up, I know my life just got a little better lol. Usually, those are the good ones, but there is also satisfaction in really physically abusing the guitar and getting things to snap into place as well! Amazing how much Leo got right and how forgiving they can be!?
@@seangrexa4707 They're not perfectly centered over the polepieces. Watch the video again. In fact, on the Strat, and over the low E string specifically it's impossible to make it happen as the neck is not wide enough to allow it to happen.
I bought the 2004 50th anniversary sunburst Stratocaster that was based on this model because I always loved this guitar version. Nice story and cool guitar.
Awesome guitar awesome player, better than awesome I can't find words for how much I enjoyed listening to this guitar in the hands of this master player.
Okayyyy...I'm the guy that did the work on the Strat, back in the mid-80's. It was brought to me completely stripped of it's finish, with all the parts and hardware in a couple of boxes. There was no internet then, and not a lot of resources available for this kind of stuff, especially locally in Huntington, WV. Originally a sunburst. I didn't have a full-repair shop then like I do now, so I did a rattle-can finish, and tried to restore and preserve as much as I could. The decal was intact, but that's about all there was left that hadn't been stripped or molested. Some of the hardware had been painted with what looked like varnish and had to be soaked in remover. The middle pickup was toast, and I had no rewinding availability at the time, so I wired it like a Tele so it would have a "middle" tone. Someone else must have messed with the pickguard and pots later...I remember putting a correct single-ply on there. Tried hard to buy it at the time, but it was "NOT FOR SALE" at any price, although John W., the owner, promised to let me know if it ever were.....obviously that memo didn't get passed on! If I'd had the resources and experience then that I do now, a more accurate restoration would have occurred, but considering it was bare stripped wood in a box with another box full of parts when I first saw it, I did the best I could at the time!
Same amp used in yesterdays video of him playing a old telecaster. I’m sure the guitar is great but that amp is fantastic! Besides as my old great uncle used to say “ a guitar is just something you play your amp with”. I never really understood that but now I’m getting it. That amp would make a 1 string broomstick 🧹 sound good 👍🏻
What amp is it? I don't see it in the video. Awesome sounding amp! I checked the other video, apparently a vibrolux. I had one, great breakup when up past 4 on the volume
I bought an old 1970s Memphis guitar for $25. In the case was a Fender made in Italy ( hippie/ Hendrix looking ) neck strap from the late 60s. I love old guitar cases, they're like time capsule treasure chests.
Absolutely gorgeous. Love the story. Just curious, I noticed the poles in the neck were even and the middle and bridge were staggered. Why? Is that common?
Awesome demo Aaron!!! That's how a Strat should sound. I'm in the Virginia/W.Va. area, I wonder where this baby was sleeping all these years in West Virginia? 👍❤️🎸
Aaron you are by far my favorite player/artist that always highlights every aspect of every guitar you pick up. My question is… when you pick up a guitar and you start riffing are those licks that you’ve created or are they spontaneous or a combo of both. Also once that specific guitar is in your hands does the feel and sound propel you to a place which is new and exploratory? Always great playing!!!
Thanks John!! Really appreciate that man! It's usually a combo of both. I try not to repeat songs/idea too much so I usually have ideas in my back pocket I can use that I haven't played before. Everything else is just made up on the spot depending on the guitar I'm playing. The fun part is I usually don't know what guitar or amp I'm going to play so it's a fun challenge to come up with something and adapt to a guitar and amp setup I might not be use to. String gauge, fret size, neck shape, pickups, the amp it's plugged into, they can all inspire something different. Long winded answer haha. :) Thanks again for the kind words! Cheers!
@@aaronhiebert4745 thanks so much for this detailed response! I kind of sensed you were going to say that. You do have a touch and tone sensibility that is unique and creative. I know what your saying from personal experience playing through different guitars and amps. I must say except for whatever the amp they provide with it’s own set of tone shaping, I really appreciated that there are no pedals used, even though I love pedals. Last question… What too 3 guitars and amp combos just knocked you out? Thanks for your time.
Love it, wow 1954. I'm a Southpaw and could only wish to find one as early as that. I noticed it has the Walnut Skunk stripe on the back of the neck. My 63 has no stripe just Maple with the Fretboard over the Truss rod. Really cool find.
Yeah, apparently maple boards were available in very small numbers during the first half of the 60's. Yours doesn't have a walnut stripe because it was done with the same tooling and method as the rosewood board guitars from the same period. Maybe you already know that, but posting for someone that might find it interesting.
I'm a lefty as well and I don't need to tell u how hard it is finding true left handed vintage guitars. Is ur 63 a true left handed one or is it right handed flipped upside down
Awesome video! Definitely jealous too… Yngwie Malmsteen has a ‘54 strat that he just throws in a pile of various guitars, and ‘72 strats…There is a video of it, and he claims it is “all original.”
3:30 Speaking of Smokey Amps , WTH happened? In 2009 I bought like 7 of them and was handing them out as presents to my buds. They were under 20 bucks. Now you can’t touch them anymore for under 100 bucks. I keep at least one for myself but have no idea where it is. So bummed.
I wonder why you didn’t try to re-magnetize the pickups instead of re-wind them? Wire doesn’t wear out but alnico does lose its strength after a few decades.
Since I was a kid my 1st choice was the Strat then the Paul The Strat being like Bruce Lee, The Paul being like Muhammad Ali, The interesting thing is this guitar was made the month and year I was born July of "54" . Go Figure !!!! 👀🎸 On that note God-bless all you strummers and strokers. 🌬🔊Rock on🎼
I'm not a big believer in the vintage mojo thing, but this guitar has something a little special about it "sonically." Maybe it's the lower output pickups.
Listen to the telecaster he played yesterday in a video. He uses the same amp as he’s using in this video. It’s a old vibrolux reverb. That amp certainly has something going on 😎. My great uncle was a lifetime musician and always said “ a guitar is just something you play your amp with”. I never really understood that completely but now I think I do. The old guitars are certainly cool but those old amps are what really make them shine. That being said I can’t afford vintage amps either lol 😆
@@JohnnyRebKy Amps and guitars both have unique qualities. I have two Strats. They sound very different going through the same amp. One is a 2k American Series all original and the other is 2020 or 21, I forgot, Custom Shop Fender 59 slab with Josefina pickups. They both have a place, but I mostly play the CS. I prefer the Vintage tone. But some of my friends like the modern tone better. They all can hear a huge difference in tone. Just as I am sure they would if it was 1 guitar and that one old Fender and my Marshall. Getting a good amp and a good guitar...without a good player like Aaron wouldn't even matter. This guy could make anything sound good. I feel about the player as your Uncle does about amps. Get all three with mojo and it's amazing, as it is on this channel all the time.
@@chuckyz2 well I didn’t intend to suggest the guitar itself doesn’t have a lot to do with it. And of course the player. No doubt about it. I just don’t like to forget the amp. A fantastic guitar shines brightest when plugged into a fantastic amp. Sometimes the right guitar just meets the right amp. I think one of those rare occasions has been caught on film here 👍🏻😎.
Fucking. Beautiful. Video. Fucking. Brilliant. Playing. Also- did it sell already? I don't see it listed on the website. And.... what amp what Aaron playing through. We need to know...
for more provenance, all i could think about is, where are the old photos of jeremy's grandpop, and/or jeremy and his dad holding the axe? but mainly just a photo of grandpappy.
I love the idea of a player 54. I've never even sought to own a vintage guitar because I can't stand that I'd be afraid to play it. Instruments deserve to be played. I think this one might be more likely to live it's life in it's natural environment than a temperature/humidity controlled zoo. That thought just feels right. But unless I buy it I've no right to determine its fate, and I know that.
nope, under the scratchplate there are holes where fender put nails in when they where painting them "they didn't hang em high back then" they put nails in the front that would be covered by the scratchplate, painted the front turned it over to rest on the nails and painted the back. then when they pulled the nails out it was bare wood where the paint didnt get too. thats why if those nail holes are filled with paint you know its been re-finished.
Man, Aaron is such a good player. He really digs in!
Thank you!! :)
I really love that combination if playing style and sound. To be honest, I'm mainly here because of Aaron Hiebert. His playing has such a unique voicing and elegance and let's these vintage instruments shine.
Man, this dude has some KILLER chops on him! Every demo I've watched him do for you guys has been absolutely outstanding. Currently one of my favorites.
OMG adjust the saddle screw!!! It's crazy sticking up!!!! Just cut my self on a 55 Stratocaster with the same issue... Low E saddle first hex screw..
I ordered a mixed bag of screw lengths, for my Tele, and chose the appropriate lengths, for each. Nothing but brass barrels on my palm. Super easy upgrade, for a player grade, since it isn’t all original. I don’t know how people can comfortably play with that much exposed
That Strat’s two years younger than me, and in far better shape! Great demo once again Aaron - greetings from East Sussex, UK.
I know you UK boys LOVE Stratocasters....
Thank you!!
You may need a re-fret.
I've said it before - Aaron is the best gear demo-er since Phil x. he deserves a gig like phil x got!
Dude! That's a huge compliment! Thank you!!
Oh my God. My knees are weak. I don’t know what I love more, that tone or the Player. Ok. Deal. I love them both, equally!!! Gorgeous tone. Gorgeous Player. 🎶🎶🌻🌈🌅🎶🎶
Some tasty licks by the Strat Master! Very cool story, we’re lucky to get to experience it all with you! Thank you, guys!
Thanks Ryan!!!
It's amazing how the strings are perfectly centered over the polepieces...As a professional guitar maker I have worked on thousands of strats in my career and strings aren't always centered like that even on expensive ones...
That really shows how artisanal strats were in the early years...
Amazing video... Eric Johnson would love this one I'm sure...
Nice when the fretboard dots are also perfectly aligned / centered between the D and G strings. As a guy who has been painting bodies and necks and putting together strats and teles for 30 plus years, when both these things magically align after just simply bolting up, I know my life just got a little better lol. Usually, those are the good ones, but there is also satisfaction in really physically abusing the guitar and getting things to snap into place as well! Amazing how much Leo got right and how forgiving they can be!?
I noticed that too. Everything has to line up on these for that to happen, or there will be a gap somewhere.
@@seangrexa4707 Absolutely 👍
5:25 Perfectly centered over the polepieces!? Did you even watch the video!?
@@seangrexa4707 They're not perfectly centered over the polepieces. Watch the video again. In fact, on the Strat, and over the low E string specifically it's impossible to make it happen as the neck is not wide enough to allow it to happen.
I bought the 2004 50th anniversary sunburst Stratocaster that was based on this model because I always loved this guitar version. Nice story and cool guitar.
I’ve traveled all over WV for work, and there really are some great people there
So, awesome! I've heard some great '54s, but this one sounds to me as very special, and of course Aaron enhances anything he plays! Bravo guys!!!
Awesome guitar awesome player, better than awesome I can't find words for how much I enjoyed listening to this guitar in the hands of this master player.
After the Insta tease… this was worth the wait. Aaron’s playing, as always, is a delight!
Thanks Roger!! Much appreciated!!
Thank you so much. I can’t wait to visit one day.
You really are very lucky to be able to touch that piece of history and make it roar as it deserves. Congratulations!!!
i wonder how long its gona take before this falls in the hands of bonamassa
God I hope not
Well. I have heard a lot of Stratocasters. This could very well be the best sounding of the bunch. And great playing, as usual.
That tone and sound just take you on a trip
7:20! Dear Lord, what is that you're playing?! It's... perfect!
Magnificent! Perfection! That is how a story with a vintage piece of Americana should be told! And sweet playin' dude...
Incredible story and amazing playing at the end. Thoroughly enjoyed. Thanks for sharing.
Dude! That is a gorgeous, gorgeous Strat! Sick! I love black Strats.
I'll take a hill billy 54' strat any day! Aaron, your playing inspires me so much! Do you do online lessons by any chance??
Man, Aarons got the chops!!
My very first guitar was a 1954 Stratocaster. Serial NO. 0517 my dad gave me for Christmas of 1963.
Okayyyy...I'm the guy that did the work on the Strat, back in the mid-80's. It was brought to me completely stripped of it's finish, with all the parts and hardware in a couple of boxes. There was no internet then, and not a lot of resources available for this kind of stuff, especially locally in Huntington, WV. Originally a sunburst. I didn't have a full-repair shop then like I do now, so I did a rattle-can finish, and tried to restore and preserve as much as I could. The decal was intact, but that's about all there was left that hadn't been stripped or molested. Some of the hardware had been painted with what looked like varnish and had to be soaked in remover. The middle pickup was toast, and I had no rewinding availability at the time, so I wired it like a Tele so it would have a "middle" tone. Someone else must have messed with the pickguard and pots later...I remember putting a correct single-ply on there. Tried hard to buy it at the time, but it was "NOT FOR SALE" at any price, although John W., the owner, promised to let me know if it ever were.....obviously that memo didn't get passed on! If I'd had the resources and experience then that I do now, a more accurate restoration would have occurred, but considering it was bare stripped wood in a box with another box full of parts when I first saw it, I did the best I could at the time!
Curious if u did the paint job?
Mentioned that in my comment.@@badlydrawnfrog
The "rattlecan finish" I suppose.
wow holly sound & great player !!!!
Great story, great demo. Well done.
Killer guitar, killer tone.
Same amp used in yesterdays video of him playing a old telecaster. I’m sure the guitar is great but that amp is fantastic! Besides as my old great uncle used to say “ a guitar is just something you play your amp with”. I never really understood that but now I’m getting it. That amp would make a 1 string broomstick 🧹 sound good 👍🏻
What amp is it? I don't see it in the video. Awesome sounding amp!
I checked the other video, apparently a vibrolux. I had one, great breakup when up past 4 on the volume
@@mikeb5372 vibrolux reverb
@@JohnnyRebKy yep, wish I still had it
Amazing story amazing strat and oh yeah Aron’s playing good one EC👍👍🔥🤙
Thanks Richard!!
wow, just wow... somehow it sounds bright but not whiny. And it looks great
The initial sound reminded me of the one and only Gish Strat :-)
Amazing playing as always! 🔥
great playing
I bought an old 1970s Memphis guitar for $25. In the case was a Fender made in Italy ( hippie/ Hendrix looking ) neck strap from the late 60s. I love old guitar cases, they're like time capsule treasure chests.
Absolutely gorgeous. Love the story. Just curious, I noticed the poles in the neck were even and the middle and bridge were staggered. Why? Is that common?
"I love '54 Strats" is like saying "I love my heartbeat". Who doesn't?!?
Outstanding playing on that Strat mate.
Whats with that one saddle screw? Ouch!!!
I always loved how maple fretboards have so much clarity, definition and cut through so beautifully
Lol.
I could stay ALL night long listing this guy.
Glorious!!
Righteous Aaron you wailed on it
I like the playing!
Awesome demo Aaron!!! That's how a Strat should sound. I'm in the Virginia/W.Va. area, I wonder where this baby was sleeping all these years in West Virginia? 👍❤️🎸
Huntington, WV :)
@@KarenSheamusic Awesome 😎. I'm in Bluefield Va. Thank you ❤️🎸
@@KarenSheamusic dang, 20 miles from me
The fit and finish on the frets and nut is amazing. Does custom shop even go that far?
Lol yes
Let me mod it...
put some EMG's pickup and route the bridge and install some Floyd Rose bridge..😁😜
Aaron you are by far my favorite player/artist that always highlights every aspect of every guitar you pick up.
My question is… when you pick up a guitar and you start riffing are those licks that you’ve created or are they spontaneous or a combo of both. Also once that specific guitar is in your hands does the feel and sound propel you to a place which is new and exploratory?
Always great playing!!!
Thanks John!! Really appreciate that man! It's usually a combo of both. I try not to repeat songs/idea too much so I usually have ideas in my back pocket I can use that I haven't played before. Everything else is just made up on the spot depending on the guitar I'm playing. The fun part is I usually don't know what guitar or amp I'm going to play so it's a fun challenge to come up with something and adapt to a guitar and amp setup I might not be use to. String gauge, fret size, neck shape, pickups, the amp it's plugged into, they can all inspire something different. Long winded answer haha. :) Thanks again for the kind words! Cheers!
@@aaronhiebert4745 thanks so much for this detailed response! I kind of sensed you were going to say that. You do have a touch and tone sensibility that is unique and creative. I know what your saying from personal experience playing through different guitars and amps. I must say except for whatever the amp they provide with it’s own set of tone shaping, I really appreciated that there are no pedals used, even though I love pedals. Last question…
What too 3 guitars and amp combos just knocked you out? Thanks for your time.
Love it, wow 1954. I'm a Southpaw and could only wish to find one as early as that. I noticed it has the Walnut Skunk stripe on the back of the neck. My 63 has no stripe just Maple with the Fretboard over the Truss rod. Really cool find.
Yeah, apparently maple boards were available in very small numbers during the first half of the 60's. Yours doesn't have a walnut stripe because it was done with the same tooling and method as the rosewood board guitars from the same period. Maybe you already know that, but posting for someone that might find it interesting.
I'm a lefty as well and I don't need to tell u how hard it is finding true left handed vintage guitars. Is ur 63 a true left handed one or is it right handed flipped upside down
This gem was in my own state all along?! Damn.
J ai réécouté 5 fois de suite les 2 dernières minutes.... Beautiful, comme on dit chez nous 👍🤤
Amazing player
What is with the set screw on the low E string saddle 😳?
I’ve never heard anyone play a 54 like that. That guitar is on another level. It’s fabulous. 👍☮️🌞🌟🎸🎵💕
The 54 55s always sound so meaty
If blindfolded and in a room with various Strats of various ages, would he pick the 54 as THE Strat? Just wondering...
Awesome video! Definitely jealous too… Yngwie Malmsteen has a ‘54 strat that he just throws in a pile of various guitars, and ‘72 strats…There is a video of it, and he claims it is “all original.”
Leo really did get it right way back when.
Nice 👍
3:30 Speaking of Smokey Amps , WTH happened? In 2009 I bought like 7 of them and was handing them out as presents to my buds. They were under 20 bucks. Now you can’t touch them anymore for under 100 bucks. I keep at least one for myself but have no idea where it is. So bummed.
That thing really sings!
Nice to see a 54 being played and not stuck in some glass case.
I wonder why you didn’t try to re-magnetize the pickups instead of re-wind them? Wire doesn’t wear out but alnico does lose its strength after a few decades.
She's a Beauty.....🎸💚
6:00 why wouldn't you change or fix that saddle adjustment screw?
I would tear my hand open on that, for certain.
How do tell what year they are?
He knocked the high E off the fingerboard at the end!.
killer playing
What amp you running this through?
Had gotten a 62 on my 14th birthday in 75 and sold it for $350 going rate at the time. 😰😭
Ouch!! I watched a clip with Eric Johnson saying you could buy 54s in pawn shops through the 1980s for $300 every day of the week!! Who knew??!!
@@tylerdurden5122 no doubt about it in the early 80's I've sold les Paul standards for $300in the 70's.
Since I was a kid my 1st choice was the Strat then the Paul
The Strat being like Bruce Lee,
The Paul being like Muhammad Ali,
The interesting thing is this guitar was made the month and year I was born July of "54" .
Go Figure !!!! 👀🎸
On that note God-bless all you strummers and strokers. 🌬🔊Rock on🎼
That does not appear a 1954 football selector switch tip. Rest of the plastics don't appear polystyrene.
I'm not a big believer in the vintage mojo thing, but this guitar has something a little special about it "sonically." Maybe it's the lower output pickups.
Listen to the telecaster he played yesterday in a video. He uses the same amp as he’s using in this video. It’s a old vibrolux reverb. That amp certainly has something going on 😎. My great uncle was a lifetime musician and always said “ a guitar is just something you play your amp with”. I never really understood that completely but now I think I do. The old guitars are certainly cool but those old amps are what really make them shine. That being said I can’t afford vintage amps either lol 😆
Curious to hear pre-rewind with some gain
@@JohnnyRebKy Amps and guitars both have unique qualities. I have two Strats. They sound very different going through the same amp. One is a 2k American Series all original and the other is 2020 or 21, I forgot, Custom Shop Fender 59 slab with Josefina pickups. They both have a place, but I mostly play the CS. I prefer the Vintage tone. But some of my friends like the modern tone better. They all can hear a huge difference in tone. Just as I am sure they would if it was 1 guitar and that one old Fender and my Marshall. Getting a good amp and a good guitar...without a good player like Aaron wouldn't even matter. This guy could make anything sound good. I feel about the player as your Uncle does about amps. Get all three with mojo and it's amazing, as it is on this channel all the time.
@@chuckyz2 well I didn’t intend to suggest the guitar itself doesn’t have a lot to do with it. And of course the player. No doubt about it. I just don’t like to forget the amp. A fantastic guitar shines brightest when plugged into a fantastic amp. Sometimes the right guitar just meets the right amp. I think one of those rare occasions has been caught on film here 👍🏻😎.
What's up with that too-tall set screw in the low E saddle? 🤔
It's to keep your palm in place so you don't accidentally turn the volume down 😜
Ok...that guy can play.
Fucking. Beautiful. Video. Fucking. Brilliant. Playing.
Also- did it sell already? I don't see it listed on the website.
And.... what amp what Aaron playing through. We need to know...
Grandpa would be proud.
Almost Heaven!
for more provenance, all i could think about is, where are the old photos of jeremy's grandpop, and/or jeremy and his dad holding the axe? but mainly just a photo of grandpappy.
Check our Instagram highlight story “54 Strat”
@@emeraldcityguitars ahhhh... gracias.
The 54 is one of those guitats you cant hate despite its youth in evolution.
A true Strat right there. 👌
That playing….. wowwwwww.
How much???? Isn't that what we all want to know?
I WANT IT!!!
Beast!
For sale? How much ? $
That sounded pretty stratty. Nice riffin' dude.
Looks like it needs a refret but its overall nice.
I love the idea of a player 54. I've never even sought to own a vintage guitar because I can't stand that I'd be afraid to play it. Instruments deserve to be played. I think this one might be more likely to live it's life in it's natural environment than a temperature/humidity controlled zoo. That thought just feels right. But unless I buy it I've no right to determine its fate, and I know that.
SWEEEEET oh my!
10:25 Damn Aaron! 😳
a pick up rewind on an original 1 owner 54' Strat ??
I was also surprised to hear that. Like wtf?
Anyone else notice that the neck is a 70’s non staggered pickup??
Yeah... A lot of things is off here
If I had this …. It would never be for sale ! And I have my dads 88 and I wouldn’t sell it for 5 million and it’s just a standard USA pewter grey
Nail holes? So Fender just ailed them together back in the day, huh? Pretty sure you meant screw holes.
nope, under the scratchplate there are holes where fender put nails in when they where painting them "they didn't hang em high back then" they put nails in the front that would be covered by the scratchplate, painted the front turned it over to rest on the nails and painted the back. then when they pulled the nails out it was bare wood where the paint didnt get too. thats why if those nail holes are filled with paint you know its been re-finished.
Good lord that start sounds good. I mean, great player too, but jaysus.
😳🤯🤘
I don’t see a Silver Sky doing that …