1954-1959 PRE-CBS MAPLE NECK
The first period of Strats is identified by a solid maple neck with frets laid in directly; nickel Kluson machines; a relatively narrow headstock shape; a contrasting walnut strip down the back of the neck where the truss rod has been inserted; a four-screw neck/body join; and a one-piece white scratchplate. The 1954 US price for the Strat was $229.50 ($249.50 with tremolo).

1954-1955 PRODUCTION
During this period Fender estimates to have made about 10,000 Stratocasters.

1956-1958 GOLD-PLATED hardware was available as an option.

1956 PATENT
On 10 April a patent was granted for the Stratocaster's tremolo system.

1959 SUNBURST
Third colour (red) added to enrich existing two-colour (brown and yellow) sunburst.

1959-1965 PRE-CBS ROSEWOOD FINGERBOARD
The second major period of Strats is identified by a rosewood fingerboard; truss rod added from above neck (ie no walnut strip on back); and a three-piece white/black/white laminated scratchplate.

1960 ADS
The first UK ads for the Stratocaster began to appear: in Melody Maker of 9 April Jennings Musical Industries announce that "Fender guitars are priced from £64.7.4", and on 12 November they offer the "Fender Stratocaster with tremolo arm at £148".

1965 CBS take control of the Fender plant on 4 January after paying $13,000,000 for the Fender companies.

1965-1971 CBS WITHOUT TILT-NECK
Third period of Strats is identified by a relatively larger headstock shape and an "F" logo stamped on the neck/body joining plate.

1971-1981 "PRE-SMITH" CBS WITH NECK-TILT, 3-BOLT NECK
Fourth period of Strats, identified by Fender machine heads, three-screw neck join, truss rod adjusting bullet at headstock, and neck tilt angle adjuster designed by Leo Fender (in advisory role for CBS).

1974 RHINESTONE STRAT
One prototype and six production models, made of cold-cast-bronze bodies with Rhinestone design, sculpted by Jon Douglas and ordered by CBS/Arbiter, UK distributors. Six models destroyed in CBS Soundhouse fire — only the prototype survives.

1975 SCRATCHPLATE laminate changed to black/white/black.

1976 (approx) PAISLEY STRAT
Only one example survives (some might say fortunately) of this ornately finished Strat with totally over-the-top paisley paintwork.

1977 FIVE-WAY PICKUP SELECTOR becomes stock on the Stratocaster (at last). A sixth position is possible — between 4 and 5 — which, after careful tweaking of one of the poet's tags, gives the bridge pickup plus the tone control working on the middle pickup.

1979 ANNIVERSARY STRAT
25 years celebration model: metallic finish; "ANNIVERSARY" on upper bout; four-screw neck join. Fender say about 10,000 were made.

1980 THE STRAT
Fender finally get around to revamping the Stratocaster and call it by the name that everyone uses for it anyway. "The Strat" boasts: brass hardware; XI pickups; two-position Selector Mode switch replacing middle pickup tone and giving two distinct areas of sound to modify with five-position selector; master volume remains; neck pickup tone becomes master tone.

1980 WALNUT STRAT
Made entirely from American black walnut.

1981-1982 "POST-SMITH" CBS 4-BOLT NECK
Final period of Strat production identified by relatively smaller headstock, four-screw neck/body join; white/black/white scratchplate; XI pickup added.

1982 SQUIER SERIES
Fender Japan formed to make instruments at factories owned by Fuji Gen-Gakki. Two Strat models — well-priced revitalisations of 1957 and 1962 style Strats. Original Squier models had "Fender" logo; subsequent models have proper "Squier" marque.

1982 VINTAGE SERIES
American-made re-issues of 1957- and 1962-style Strats.

1982 GOLD STRAT
"Post-Smith" Strat with gold hardware.

1983 STANDARD STRAT
Revamped Strat: one volume, one tone control; "Biflex" truss-rod system; Strap-locks.

1983 ELITE STRAT
Revamped active Strat: three new "noise-cancelling" pickups; controls for volume, tone and mid-boost; pushbutton pickup selectors; "Freeflyte" tremolo; edge-mounted jack socket; Strap-locks.

1984 NEW SQUIER SERIES
Three new Strat models launched at Frankfurt show (February). Some Squier models may be produced in Japanese factories other than those owned by Fuji.

1984 ULTRA STRAT may be released: improved cosmetics, new version of Elite's "Freeflyte" tremolo, and maybe a through-neck. We'll see...

SECONDHAND PRICES
If you decide to go for a proper vintage Strat, then you've naturally got no option but to dive into the sometimes dodgy area of secondhand guitars.

Original maple-neck Strats (54-59) will cost you the price of a reasonable polysynth these days — around £1500 for the earliest years. Second batch rosewood-fingerboard Strats (59-65) are nearer the grasp of mere mortals — you'll probably pay anywhere from the low 300s up to about 600 for an immaculate example. 1962 and 1963 models are by far the most plentiful.

A CBS Strat without tilt-neck (65-71) can be had for between £200 and £450 depending on its precise age and state, while the later model with tilt-neck (71-81) is in a sensible cash situation at between £200 and £275. The unpopular 1979 "Anniversary" Strat can be picked up for £250, which is what you'd expect to pay for a 4-bolt 81-82 Strat.

Original Fender-logo Squiers can sell for more than the current Squiers — perhaps £30 or £40 added on to the £175 or so you might pay for a Squier 57 Strat, and £20 or £30 on the £160 for a Squier 62 Strat.