It is no secret that the Fender Custom Shop has been creating the best instruments since 1987. In keeping with the true spirit of Leo’s original vision of the company, each instrument is built with the highest level of care and excellence. Here at Chicago Music Exchange, we have collaborated with the best minds at Fender to build the best instruments from top to bottom, tirelessly going over each spec to ensure that we offer you the best of what Fender has to offer. 

Featuring measurements and components we hand-selected from across history, our “Chicago Special” Fender Custom Shop guitars highlight important years in the development of core models like the Stratocaster, Telecaster and more. We capture the energy and essence of their respective eras with iconic fingerboard radii and period-correct plastics, matched headstocks and slab fingerboards, classic finishes and not-so-classic colorways. But that’s just the beginning of what makes our Fender Custom Shop guitars so special. We take customization a step further with rift sawn necks for added resonance and expanded control sets for tonal versatility, and every “Chicago Special” Fender Custom Shop guitar features our own custom Chicago Special pickups, designed in conjunction with Fender Custom Shop Vice President of Product Development Mike Lewis.

"Chicago Special" Strat pickups: 

• Calibrated set - bridge to neck - for balanced output
• Each pickup as custom AlNiCo 5 magnet stagger for optimum output balance string-to-string 42 gauge enamel wire for round highs
• Potted in shellac for open wide range frequency response

Model Number: 9237101231
Serial Number: R118804
Finish Package: Relic
Case: Fender Custom Shop Brown
Weight: 7lbs 11oz

Body Wood: Alder
Body Color: Aged Midnight Purple Sparkle
Body Finish: Lacquer
Sort for Lightweight: Yes

Hardware Plating: Chrome/Nickel
Bridge Assembly: American Vintage
Output Assembly: Vintage
Control Assembly: 1/2 Blender
Neck Plate: R Serial Vintage
Back Plate & Trem Cover: Parchment
Tremolo Arm: Vintage Upgraded 60s
Tremolo Arm Tip: Aged White
Tuner Keys: Vintage w/Fender Logo
String Guide: 59-64 American Vintage
String Gauge: .010-.046

Neck Finish: Medium Tint Nitro Lacquer
Neck Blank: Roasted Rift Sawn Maple
Fingerboard: AAA Rosewood
Sort for Dark Rosewood? Yes
Truss Rod: Early 60s
Head Style: Small
Neck Head Thickness: 0.575"
Neck Scoop: 60
Dot Spacing: Narrow
Face Dot: Mother of Pearl
Side Dot: Mother of Pearl
Fret Wire: Jescar 47095
Number of Frets: 21
Fingerboard Radius: 9.50"
Neck Back Shape: 60 Style Oval "C"
Neck Nut Width: 1.650"
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: .790"
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: .930"
Neck Butt Width: 2.200"
Nut Material: Bone
Number of Bolts: 4
Head Cap Decal: 65 Strat
Neck Notes: Heavy Relic Back of Neck, No Finish Frets 1 - 12

Pickguard: Anodized Gold
Pickup Neck: Hand-Wound Chicago Special
Pickup Middle: Hand-Wound Chicago Special RWRP
Pickup Bridge: Hand-Wound Chicago Special
Control Knobs: Vintage White
Selector Switch Tip: Vintage White
Pots: 250K 10% Taper Split
Switch: 5-Way Lever