Up for sale, a 2001 Fender Custom Shop 1956 Stratocaster Relic in exceptional condition and in perfect working order. Very faithful to vintage spec and capturing a distinct Clapton "Blackie" vibe, this Strat reflects the more tasteful and minimal relic work done by the Custom Shop when the Relic line of instruments was still fairly new and the production numbers were much lower than they are today. Quite simply, this guitar has a look and feel that truly evokes a well cared for and lightly played vintage instrument, with an incredibly resonant and well balanced feel on a strap, weighing in at 7lbs 7oz. There is a clear, full quality to the tone when strummed acoustically, with piano-like clarity and note separation that translates well through the stock black bobbin slingle coil pickups. Outfitted with a five-way pickup selector switch, this Strat can deliver bell-like and chiming bridge pickup tones, plenty to quack and cut in the 2 and 4 positions, and a neck pickup tone that is round and thick, perfect for singing lead lines. Professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar, we've dialed in this Strat with optimal intonation, low action, and fresh 10-46 strings.
The one-piece maple neck has a full and substantial soft V profile, with rolled edges, a silky smooth gloss nitro lacquer finish, and some of the deepest, most prominent tiger stripe flame figuring we've ever seen on a Fender neck. The profile is very inviting and comfortable, filling out to a full C in the higher registers of the fretboard with gently sloping shoulders and rolled fretboard edges. The fretboard has a vintage 7 1/4" radius with a gloss finish that has been tastefully worn from the factory as part of the relic process, showing faint wear down to the bare maple along the fretboard edges in the first position and beneath the treble strings from frets 1-7. The stock frets show faint wear on the crowns of the plain strings from frets 1-9, with no buzzing or dead spots and consistent, comfortable action all the way up the neck. The nut has Fender's traditional 1 5/8" width, and the stock nut is intact. On the headstock, the original Kluson style nickel tuners are intact and the Fender Stratocaster waterslide decal is present, with one scratch across the logo and a bit of wear between the D and E of "Fender." The heel of the neck has the appropriate "Relic" stamp, as well as a March 26, 2001 date stamp and an interesting penciled in "1 Off" text beneath the truss rod adjustment, suggesting that this may have been a special order neck (which wouldn't be surprising, given the jaw-dropping flame figuring).
The stock electronics work as they should and are faithful to vintage spec, with cloth wire, full size CTS pots, and original tone cap. The plastic parts and metal hardware have a light factory relic treatment as well, with just the right amount of patina to look vintage and not heavily used. All of the expected "Relic" and "Custom Shop" stamps are present on the body just below the pickup routes and beneath the neck plate, which has its correct "R" prefix serial number. The vibrato unit is setup with the original bar and three springs, for a very smooth and responsive action that jumps right back to the original pitch.
Of course it's always difficult to judge how much wear a Relic guitar has received from honest playwear as opposed to the factory distressing, but suffice it to say that this guitar has only had two owners over the past decade or so, and it has been very carefully stored and sparingly played in the time that we've kept track of its ownership. Aside from the chips and dings applied from the factory, this is an extremely well cared for Custom Shop Stratocaster.
The original brown G&G hardhsell case with plush gold interior is included, as well as the original COA, hangtags, polish cloth, and strap.
