2006 Fender Custom Shop '60 Stratocaster Relic – Olympic White – Masterbuilt by Dennis Galuszka – Brazilian Rosewood – Includes Blonde Hardshell Case and COA – Used Excellent
Dennis Galuszka joined the Fender Custom Shop as an apprentice in 1999 and was promoted to Master Builder after only eight months — one of the fastest ascents in the Custom Shop's history. In the years since he has built instruments for Paul McCartney, Andy Summers, Johnny Marr, Sting, Mike Dirnt, and Patrick Stump, among many others, and established himself as one of the most respected and sought-after builders in Fender's storied Corona facility. His work is characterized by an obsessive attention to feel and playability — he has said that those things are number one with him, above everything else — and this 2006 '60 Strat Relic is a clear expression of that philosophy.
The alder body is finished in Olympic White with a tasteful relic treatment that reads as genuinely aged rather than artificially distressed — the finish has the kind of character and authenticity that takes real skill to achieve, evoking decades of honest use without tipping into theater. The mint green pickguard is the perfect period-correct complement. The Brazilian rosewood fingerboard is the tonewood that defined the finest Fender instruments of the early 1960s — dense, complex, and naturally resonant — and finding it on a 2006 build reflects the kind of material access that only the Custom Shop commands. The full vintage C neck profile measures .819 inches at the first fret and .984 inches at the 12th — substantial and full in the hand, and feels great. The saddles have been tastefully swapped to Callaham — some of the best replacement Strat saddles available, improving sustain and intonation while maintaining the period-correct aesthetic. Three single-coil pickups with 5-way switching give you the full spectrum of classic Strat tones from glassy and clean to that unmistakable quacky in-between character.
At 7 pounds 10 ounces this guitar is light, balanced, and immediately comfortable — the kind of instrument that settles into your hands and makes you want to stay there. Minor fret wear in the cowboy chord area that has no impact on playability. Truly the feeling one is looking for in the best vintage Strats — it could easily become your new best friend. Comes with the original blonde hardshell case and Certificate of Authenticity.
- Make: Fender Custom Shop
- Model: '60 Stratocaster Relic
- Year: 2006
- Serial number: CZ505688
- Master Builder: Dennis Galuszka
- Country of origin: USA (Corona, CA)
- Body: Alder
- Finish: Olympic White, relic nitrocellulose lacquer
- Pickguard: Mint green
- Neck: Maple, full vintage C profile
- Neck depth: .819" at 1st fret, .984" at 12th fret
- Fingerboard: Brazilian rosewood
- Nut width: 1.66"
- Scale length: 25.5"
- Vintage string spacing at bridge
- Frets: 6105, minor wear in cowboy chord area, no impact on playability
- Pickups: 3 Custom Shop single-coil Strat pickups
- Controls: Master volume, 2 tone, 5-way blade switch
- Bridge: Vintage-style with Callaham saddles (tasteful upgrade)
- Hardware: Chrome/nickel
- Weight: 7 lbs 10 oz
- Modifications: Callaham saddles installed
- Condition: Used Excellent – tasteful relic finish, minor fret wear cowboy chord area, Callaham saddles
- Includes: Original blonde hardshell case, Certificate of Authenticity
Ships carefully packed and insured for full value. International buyers are welcome — please contact us for a shipping quote before purchasing.
About Mill River Music
Mill River Music is an independent, human-powered music shop located in downtown Northampton, MA, run by a team of players, enthusiasts, and certified repair technicians. Every piece of used gear we sell is personally inspected, tested, and set up before it ships — we don't list it until we'd be happy to play it ourselves.
As Martin and Taylor certified techs, we hold our guitar work to a high standard, and we're committed to full transparency about the condition of everything we sell. No surprises.
When you buy from Mill River, you're supporting an independent local business that genuinely cares — about gear, about players, and about doing things right. We're here every step of the way. Reach out anytime.