Specs:
• Model: 1962 Stratocaster Reissue
• Finish: Black
• Ageing: Journeyman Relic
• Body: 2-Piece Alder
• Body Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Neck: Plain Grain Maple
• Neck Finish: Medium Tint Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Fingerboard: AAA Rosewood, 9mm
• Fingerboard Selection: Sorted for Dark Rosewood
• Neck Profile: ’60s Style Oval C
• Neck Depth: .790" at 1st Fret / .930" at 12th Fret
• Fingerboard Radius: 9.5"
• Frets: 21 Medium Jumbo
• Nut Width: 1.650"
• Side Dots: Micarta White 3/32"
• Headstock: Small Vintage-Style
• Neck Joint: 4-Bolt
• Truss Rod: ’60s Style
• Pickup Configuration: SSS
• Neck Pickup: Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound Fat ’60s Strat
• Middle Pickup: Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound Fat ’60s Strat RWRP
• Bridge Pickup: Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound Fat ’60s Strat
• Electronics: Strat Vintage Modified Wiring #1
• Controls: Master Volume, 2 x Tone
• Switching: 5-Way Blade Pickup Selector
• Bridge: American Vintage Stratocaster Tremolo, Relic
• Tuners: Vintage-Style Relic
• Pickguard: ’60s Strat Nitro Brown Shell, Relic
• Plastics: Coffee White Relic
• Hardware: Aged Chrome / Nickel
• Case: Original Fender Custom Shop Strat / Tele Brown Hardshell Case
• Certificate of Authenticity: Included
• Shop Floor Traveller: Included
• Country: USA
• Year: 2017

Personal Thoughts:
This is a really classy early-’60s Custom Shop Strat and the Black finish works superbly with the dark AAA rosewood fingerboard and brown shell guard. The Journeyman Relic treatment gives it enough checking, ageing and edge wear to feel properly played-in without pushing into the much more extreme Heavy Relic territory.

The neck specification is particularly appealing. Fender paired a traditional ’60s Oval C carve measuring .790" at the first fret and .930" at the twelfth with a more forgiving 9.5" radius and medium-jumbo frets. The AAA rosewood board was also specifically selected for its darker appearance, giving this example a noticeably richer look than a standard production rosewood board.

A complete set of hand-wound Fat ’60s pickups gives the guitar a slightly fuller and more muscular take on the classic Strat voice, while the RWRP middle pickup keeps the combined positions quieter. Vintage Modified Wiring #1 adds a little extra practicality without taking away from the traditional feel. A beautifully balanced Custom Shop Strat with a strong vintage aesthetic and a very usable modernised playing specification.

Condition Report:
Excellent condition. The checking, finish wear and aged hardware are part of Fender Custom Shop’s original Journeyman Relic treatment rather than subsequent damage. Beyond the factory ageing, the guitar presents very cleanly with only light signs of careful use. Supplied with its original Fender Custom Shop brown hardshell case, certificate of authenticity and Shop Floor Traveller.

Part Exchange Welcome:
Part exchange welcome, video demos are available via our YouTube channel at Squealing Pig Guitars, personal consignment service available via our site at 10% rate.