NGD: FCS '55 Time Capsule White Blonde Stratocaster Hardtail

[Double Stop]

Sold my other FCS ’60 3-Color Sunburst Hardtail Journeyman a while back to make way for this FCS ’55 blonde beauty in a lovely “Time Capsule” finish. Got it from the always awesome Wildwood.

The Hardtail I sold was a mighty fine guitar in its own right, but I just couldn’t resist the big ‘ol chunky U-Neck on this one coupled with the compound radius, and just sheer beauty of the finish. The things I really love about White Blonde finishes is that how nicely it showcases the gorgeous ash grain and depending the light, how it can look like alabaster or a mild butter color. Also, when it comes to FCS, my tastes are leaning more towards “NOS” or “Time Capsule”. It’s my kind of “perfect” hardtail.

This now makes a total of four Strats in my collection (2 FCS and 2 Suhrs). Strat wise, life is good (for now………!!)

• Model: Vintage Custom 1955 Hardtail Stratocaster
• Finish Color: Aged White Blonde
• Aging: Time Capsule
• Finish Type: Flash-Coat Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Weight: 7.29 lbs.
• Body Wood: 2-Piece Select Ash
• Neck Wood: One Piece of Riftsawn Maple
• Neck Shape: 1954 U
• Neck Dimensions: .910 1st - .990 12th
• Fingerboard Radius: Compound 7.25"-9.5"
• Scale Length: 25.5"
• Nut Width: 1.650"
• Nut Material: Bone
• Frets: 21
• Fret Wire: 47095 Medium Vintage
• Pickups: 3 Custom Shop Hand-wound '55 Strat Single-Coils
• Controls: 1 Volume, 2 Tone, 5-Way
• Hardware: Nickel/Chrome
• Tuners: Vintage-Style
• Bridge: 6-Saddle Hardtail with "Pat. Pend." Saddles
• Pickguard: 1-Ply Eggshell
• Case: Tweed Hardshell Case

 

[Dostradamas]

Love that finish and grain.

Looks fabulous

Congrats!

 

[daveIT]

Bet it plays as good as it looks. Love that color…so classy.

 

[Blackmore Fan]

Sold my other FCS ’60 3-Color Sunburst Hardtail Journeyman a while back to make way for this FCS ’55 blonde beauty in a lovely “Time Capsule” finish. Got it from the always awesome Wildwood.

The Hardtail I sold was a mighty fine guitar in its own right, but I just couldn’t resist the big ‘ol chunky U-Neck on this one coupled with the compound radius, and just sheer beauty of the finish. The things I really love about White Blonde finishes is that how nicely it showcases the gorgeous ash grain and depending the light, how it can look like alabaster or a mild butter color. Also, when it comes to FCS, my tastes are leaning more towards “NOS” or “Time Capsule”. It’s my kind of “perfect” hardtail.

This now makes a total of four Strats in my collection (2 FCS and 2 Suhrs). Strat wise, life is good (for now………!!)

• Model: Vintage Custom 1955 Hardtail Stratocaster
• Finish Color: Aged White Blonde
• Aging: Time Capsule
• Finish Type: Flash-Coat Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Weight: 7.29 lbs.
• Body Wood: 2-Piece Select Ash
• Neck Wood: One Piece of Riftsawn Maple
• Neck Shape: 1954 U
• Neck Dimensions: .910 1st - .990 12th
• Fingerboard Radius: Compound 7.25"-9.5"
• Scale Length: 25.5"
• Nut Width: 1.650"
• Nut Material: Bone
• Frets: 21
• Fret Wire: 47095 Medium Vintage
• Pickups: 3 Custom Shop Hand-wound '55 Strat Single-Coils
• Controls: 1 Volume, 2 Tone, 5-Way
• Hardware: Nickel/Chrome
• Tuners: Vintage-Style
• Bridge: 6-Saddle Hardtail with "Pat. Pend." Saddles
• Pickguard: 1-Ply Eggshell
• Case: Tweed Hardshell Case

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What a beautiful Strat! You did well!

 

[Wildeman]

That's lovely.

 

[Lou Tencodpees]

Fret Wire: 47095 Medium Vintage

Have not heard of this wire. How does it compare to vintage wire or 6105 wire?

Beautiful guitar and specs. Just curious, is this the same finish also referred to Mary Kaye or are there subtle differences?

 

[fretbuzzard]

Love those deep contours. And no matter what the skeptics say, hard tails DO play and sound different (and great)!

 

[donrichfan]

That’s gorgeous

 

[Double Stop]

Have not heard of this wire. How does it compare to vintage wire or 6105 wire?

Beautiful guitar and specs. Just curious, is this the same finish also referred to Mary Kaye or are there subtle differences?

The 47095 wire is one of my favorites. I'm pretty comfortable playing all different sizes of fret wire but I lean towards a "Medium Jumbo" which is 0.047" H x 0.104" W.

The 47095 on the other hand is 0.047" H x 0.095" W, so it offers the same height as the Medium Jumbo but slightly narrower, which makes for very comfortable playing, especially with keeping chords in tune if you have a slightly heavier touch. The relatively lower height prevents me for pulling notes a little sharp with chords as opposed to playing say 6105 "Narrow Tall" or 6100 Jumbos where a lighter touch is required.

I suppose a white blonde finish is similar to the "Mary Kaye", but I've actually never seen a Mary Kaye finish in person so I'm no expert. Typically, the Mary Kaye finished guitars I've seen pictures of have Gold hardware, though.

 

[schmee]

Love that body, but not too sure about the yellow tint neck fail!

 

[Double Stop]

Love that body, but not too sure about the yellow tint neck fail!

Thank you. Yeah, I love this finish.

Actually, the tint is no more 'yellowy' or "orangey" than any of my other Teles for example (I don't have any other Strats with maple necks). Part of what you may be seeing is the tint of the neck in relation to the starkness of the translucent white blonde finish, sort of tricking the eye. Put the very same neck on a butterscotch body and it wouldn't "pop" as much. Also, depending on the lighting in the various photos I took, it appears both lighter and darker.

 

[brookdalebill]

Wow!

 

[MattAndTheMachine]

Very nice, HNGD!