Guitars from the Fender Custom Shop are truly something else. With these hand-built instruments, Fender shows - and especially hears - that they unmistakably rule when it comes to the most tone-full, authentic sounding Strats, Tele's, Offset's, Jazz and P basses.
The level of output, tonal range and especially the special character of the Custom Shop instruments is unprecedented and incomparable. In addition, Fender's master luthiers know better than anyone else how to recreate the looks of the vintage Fender's so coveted by many.
The pursuit of that one unique vintage instrument may have become a hopeless task by now; the truly good and original Fenders still in circulation are often priceless. In addition, it is questionable whether you would want to play with such collectibles because of their value.
And in that respect Fender Custom Shop offers the ultimate solution; all the sound, looks, feel and vibe of the authentic Fender guitars, without the worries about playability, damage or wear (and therefore loss of value) and -in relation to the pricing of vintage guitars- in a realistic price range.
This 1961 Stratocaster has a roasted ash body, a roasted quarter sawn maple neck, round-laminated indian-rosewood fingerboard with 9.5" radius, 21 jumbo frets and a chunky C-shaped profile. The pickups are a trio of hand-wound Texas Special elements, with an RWRP middle element. The pickups are switchable via a traditional 5-position circuit with Vintage Mod 2 wiring, which lets players blend the neck and bridge pickup in switch positions 1 and 2. The bridge is a Custom Shop vintage synchonized tremolo and the tuners are vintage "Kluson-style."
The Strat sounds authentic, old and woody. Actually; it sounds the way it looks. And we mean that in the most positive sense! This is a very musical and inspiring Strat that sounds as twangy as it sounds fat. It pack a bunch of low end and all the definition in its top end. An awesome guitar for someone who is rock / blues minded and wants a Stratocaster for heavier playing.
Fender's Custom Shop luthiers have mastered the craft of applying the aged look like no other. This Limited Edition has a highly detailed and handcrafted Heavy Relic finish, though the level of aging on this particular natural finish works out tastefully subtle. Very nice!
Included is the deluxe, original Fender case, matching accessories and, of course, the certificate.
Model: 9235001498
