The 2020 Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt Jason Smith Stratocaster Landau ’68 Relic Black is a top-tier instrument that blends the aesthetics and feel of late-60s Fender guitars with the precision craftsmanship of one of the Custom Shop’s most acclaimed Master Builders. The alder body, featuring a Relic Black nitrocellulose finish, offers an instantly authentic vintage look, while the rift-sawn maple neck—shaped to the Landau profile—provides a solid, natural, and highly balanced feel in the hand. The AAA rosewood fretboard, with its 7.25” radius, 21 Narrow Tall 6105 frets, and bone nut, maintains a strong vintage vibe while delivering precise response and exceptional playability. The true heart of the instrument lies in its three Hand-Wound Strat Fat ’50s pickups, wound by Josefina Campos, which deliver a rich, dynamic, and highly three-dimensional tone. The neck pickup offers depth and warmth, the middle pickup provides openness and definition, and the bridge pickup retains attack, brightness, and a pleasing presence in the mid-high frequencies. The intermediate positions preserve that signature springy, crystalline character expected of a great Stratocaster. The Landau Strat bridge, nickel hardware, and vintage-style tuners complete a build where every detail has been meticulously considered, while the 3.455 kg weight contributes to an incredibly balanced and resonant feel. This Masterbuilt instrument aims to recreate not merely the look of a vintage Stratocaster, but—more importantly—its playing dynamics: it is responsive, expressive, and capable of translating every nuance of the player's touch into sound. It is the ideal instrument for those seeking a truly special Custom Shop Stratocaster with a strong vintage identity and uncompromising build quality.