2006 Fender Classic Player '60s Stratocaster, 3-Color Sunburst, made in Mexico. From the personal collection of Texas blues artist Omar Kent Dykes.

Omar picked this one up new. In his own words:

“I got this guitar at the Guitar Center right when they first came out. I think they came out in 2006.”

Watch Omar tell the full story himself in the video above.

This is the specific variant collectors look for: all three pickups were wound in the Fender Custom Shop under the oversight of Abigail Ybarra, initialed “AY” and dated 10-30-06 on every pickup. Ybarra retired from Fender in 2013, and her hand-supervised, signed and dated pickups are genuinely sought after independent of any other provenance, this exact detail is what separates this guitar from an ordinary Classic Player Strat.

The Guitar

This guitar was made in Mexico and designed by Fender Custom Shop Master Builder Greg Fessler, carrying a Custom Shop Designed neck plate. It is not a USA Custom Shop build, the body and neck are standard Classic Player construction, the Custom Shop connection is specifically the pickups. Alder body, C-shape maple neck, rosewood fingerboard with a 12-inch radius, synthetic bone nut, 21 medium jumbo frets, 5-position blade switching, 2-point vintage synchronized tremolo with steel saddles.

Fretboard oiled and restrung with fresh 9s. Condition is excellent with one small noted finish check. Please review all photographs carefully, they are part of the description.

Specifications

•Make / Model: Fender Classic Player '60s Stratocaster

•Year: 2006 (first-year production of this model)

•Country of Origin: Mexico

•Body: Alder

•Neck: C-shape maple

•Fretboard: Rosewood, 12-inch radius

•Nut: Synthetic bone

•Frets: 21 medium jumbo

•Finish: 3-Color Sunburst

•Pickups: Custom '69 single coils, wound in the Fender Custom Shop under Abigail Ybarra's oversight, initialed AY and dated 10-30-06 on all three

•Switching: 5-position blade

•Bridge: 2-point vintage synchronized tremolo, steel saddles

•Neck Plate: Custom Shop Designed

Condition

Very Good, with one small noted finish check. Fretboard oiled, restrung with fresh strings.

Provenance Included

•Certificate of Authenticity signed by Omar Kent Dykes

•1 recent photograph of Omar holding this specific guitar, provided for authentication purposes

•Omar tells the full story of this guitar himself in a video, watch it above

•Purchased new by Omar in 2006

About Howlers Vault

This instrument is being offered directly from Omar Kent Dykes' personal collection through Howlers Vault, a project dedicated to preserving and placing significant instruments and memorabilia from Omar's career with collectors, fans, and musicians who appreciate Texas blues history.

All photography for this listing by Mojo Lens Photography, original guitar and live music photography.

Shipping

Ships fully insured with signature required. Buyer pays actual shipping, insurance, and applicable taxes. Howlers Vault does not profit from shipping charges. International buyers are responsible for any customs duties, import taxes, or fees assessed by their country.

Returns

All sales final. Exceptions made only for damage confirmed to have occurred in shipping. Damage claims must be reported within 48 hours of delivery with photos of both the item and the packaging. All shipments are insured, and any transit damage claim will be handled through the carrier/insurance process.