FENDER USA Custom Shop Masterbuilt 58' Stratocaster Relic *Dale Wilson "Aged Sonic Blue/ Three tone" (2020)

Specs:
• Model: 1958 Stratocaster Reissue
• Masterbuilder: Dale Wilson
• Finish: Aged Sonic Blue over 3-Tone Sunburst
• Ageing: Heavy Relic
• Body: 2-Piece Ash
• Body Style: ’56 Stratocaster
• Body Contours: ’57-Style
• Body Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Finish Treatment: Heavily Aged Pale Sonic Blue over Chocolate-Faded 3-Tone Sunburst
• Neck: AAA Flame Maple
• Neck Finish: Medium Tint Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Neck Profile: Large C
• Neck Depth: .880" at 1st Fret / .975" at 12th Fret
• Fingerboard: One-Piece Maple
• Fingerboard Radius: 9.5"
• Frets: 21
• Nut: Bone
• Nut Width: 1.650"
• Side Dots: Micarta Black 3/32"
• Headstock: Small Vintage-Style
• Neck Joint: 4-Bolt
• Truss Rod: ’50s Style
• Pickup Configuration: SSS
• Neck Pickup: Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound Fat ’50s Strat
• Middle Pickup: Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound Fat ’50s Strat RWRP
• Bridge Pickup: Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound Fat ’50s Strat
• Controls: Master Volume, 2 x Tone
• Switching: 5-Way Blade Pickup Selector
• Control Plastics: Coffee White Relic
• Bridge: American Vintage Stratocaster Tremolo, Relic
• Pickguard: 8-Hole Gold Anodised Aluminium
• Hardware: Aged Chrome / Nickel
• Case: Fender Custom Shop Strat / Tele Tweed Case
• Certificate of Authenticity: Included
• Shop Floor Traveller: Included
• Country: USA
• Year: 2020

Personal Thoughts:
This is an exceptional Dale Wilson Masterbuilt Strat and exactly the sort of layered relic work that has made his guitars so sought after. The heavily aged pale Sonic Blue has worn dramatically through into the faded 3-Tone Sunburst beneath, with large areas of exposed timber and extensive lacquer checking giving it the appearance of a genuinely refinished vintage Strat that has spent decades being played.

The neck is another major highlight. Rather than a conventional plain maple neck, this example was specified with AAA flame maple and a substantial Large C profile measuring .880" at the first fret and .975" at the twelfth. Combined with the 9.5" radius, it retains plenty of vintage character while offering a more forgiving playing surface than a completely period-correct ’50s setup. The heavy simulated wear across the maple board is particularly convincing and ties beautifully into the extreme ageing across the body.

A full set of hand-wound Fat ’50s pickups provides the classic Strat foundation, with the RWRP middle pickup helping reduce noise in the combined positions. The gold anodised aluminium guard is a superb finishing detail, adding a little late-’50s character against the pale blue and exposed sunburst layers. A very distinctive Dale Wilson build with exceptional ageing, a highly figured neck and an unusually strong factory specification.

Condition Report:
Mint condition beyond the intentional Fender Custom Shop Heavy Relic treatment. The extensive finish checking, chips, exposed timber, worn-through Sonic Blue and visible 3-Tone Sunburst are all deliberate factory ageing rather than subsequent damage. No noteworthy additional wear or issues to mention. Supplied with its original Fender Custom Shop tweed 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.