Fender 55 Strat Hardtail WF2CS NOS

Fender 55 Strat Hardtail WF2CS NOS: technical review

The Fender 55 Strat Hardtail WF2CS NOS is a U.S.-made Custom Shop model based on the 1955 Stratocaster. It was part of Fender's 2022 vintage custom collection and is identified as a limited run for 2022. The listed price is 4,699; the supplied product data does not specify a currency. The model has been available since November 2022, and its item number is 532446.

The specifications describe a traditional Strat-style instrument with a notable construction choice: a vintage hardtail bridge, rather than a tremolo system. Its three-pickup layout and vintage-style wiring retain the familiar Strat control arrangement, while the body wood, neck profile, fingerboard radius, and finish are detailed as part of the Custom Shop specification.

Body, neck, and finish

The body is made from selected ash, with no separate top. Fender lists the color as Wide Fade 2-Color Sunburst. The finish designation is NOS, meaning New Old Stock in Fender's terminology. That label describes the finish specification; the available data does not establish how the guitar looks or feels in person, or make claims about aging or wear.

The one-piece, quarter-sawn maple neck has a 1954 U profile and a maple fingerboard. The "U" designation refers to the neck's cross-sectional shape. A compound fingerboard radius transitions from 7.25 inches to 9.5 inches. The supplied specifications give the scale length as 648 mm, approximately 25.5 inches, and list 21 medium vintage frets. A bone nut completes the stated neck and fingerboard materials.

These figures are useful for comparing the guitar with other Strat-style models, but they cannot substitute for measurements of an individual instrument. The specifications do not state neck thickness, fret dimensions, nut width, or setup details, so those points should be checked with the seller if they affect a buying decision.

Pickups and controls

Three hand-wound Custom Shop '55 Strat single-coil pickups provide the specified SSS configuration. The guitar uses vintage-style wiring, one volume control, two tone controls, and a five-way pickup selector. This describes the available pickup arrangement and switching, but the supplied data does not include output readings, magnet type, or frequency response. No tonal assessment can be made from those missing details alone.

The eggshell pickguard is a single-ply design. Combined with the listed sunburst finish and maple fingerboard, it gives a clear account of the model's stated visual specification, though color can appear different under varied lighting and display conditions.

Hardtail bridge and hardware

The vintage hardtail bridge is the key mechanical distinction in the specification. There is no tremolo system. Players who want a fixed bridge can compare this configuration with tremolo-equipped Stratocasters, while anyone seeking pitch movement from a tremolo arm should note that this model does not include one. The machine heads are vintage-style, and the hardware is nickel. The supplied information does not identify the bridge saddle material or the machine-head manufacturer.

What is included

A case and certificate are included. The general listing fields separately say "including case: yes" and "bag: no," which is consistent with the detailed inclusion of a case. The product is sold as one piece. No additional accessories are specified.

• Model: 1955 Stratocaster, Custom Shop
• Body: Selected ash, Wide Fade 2-Color Sunburst finish
• Neck and fingerboard: One-piece quarter-sawn maple, 1954 U profile
• Fingerboard radius: Compound, 7.25 to 9.5 inches
• Frets and scale: 21 medium vintage frets, 648 mm scale
• Pickups and controls: Three hand-wound single coils, five-way switch, one volume and two tone controls
• Bridge and hardware: Vintage hardtail, vintage-style machine heads, nickel hardware
• Included: Case and certificate

Buying considerations

This model's documented appeal is its specific combination of a 1950s-inspired neck and pickup specification with a fixed bridge. The detailed materials and control layout make it straightforward to compare against other vintage-style instruments. The listed limited-run year, Custom Shop designation, and U.S. Manufacture also distinguish it in the product record.

No customer reviews are available for this product, so there is no basis here for claims about playability, tuning stability, pickup character, finish quality, or consistency between examples. Prospective buyers should inspect the actual guitar, confirm its setup and condition, and verify the price currency and included certificate with the seller. Based solely on the supplied specifications, the Fender 55 Strat Hardtail WF2CS NOS is a fixed-bridge, three-single-coil Stratocaster built around selected ash and a one-piece maple neck.