New for 2023, the Fender Custom Shop introduces the ’68 Stratocaster Deluxe Closet Classic Maple. 55 years after its namesake predecessor, the instrument is loaded with lightly aged looks, sound and vibe that expertly evoke the Stratocaster in the late 1960s.

Its two-piece select alder body wears Deluxe Closet Classic lacquer finishes in Three-Color Sunburst, Aged Vintage White, Aged Blue Ice Metallic and Aged Teal Green Metallic. This finely aged finish treatment imparts the look of a guitar owned with pride, well cared for and religiously polished over many years. Moderate finish checking and hardware oxidization, along with mild parts discoloration, combine into the distinct look and feel of an instrument that has evolved into something complex and refined, like a fine wine.



The flat-sawn maple neck has a ’68-’69-style “U” profile with a slightly thicker in-hand feel, topped by a round-lam maple fingerboard with a 9.5” radius, 21 narrow tall (6105) frets, bone nut and a period-correct polyurethane finish. Three Custom Shop hand-wound ’69 Underwound Stratocaster pickups deliver clear, airy tone with expressively sensitive dynamics, along with ’68-’69 vintage Strat® wiring and five-way switching.

DLX Closet Classic Owned with pride. Well taken care of and religiously polished throughout the years. The owner of this guitar took pride in keeping it clean and shiny. Over time the finish started showing age and like a fine wine it evolved into something complex and refined. Moderate finish checking, oxidation of hardware, and mild discoloration of parts give this finish its distinct look and feel.

• Model: Fender Custom Shop 1968 Stratocaster LCC
• Builder: Fender Custom Shop
• Year: 2024
• Body Type: Solid Body
• Body Wood: Alder
• Finish Type: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Finish Color: Aged Vintage White
• Aging: LCC - Deluxe Closet Classic
• Neck Wood: Maple
• Fingerboard: Maple
• Neck Carve: 1969 "U"
• Scale Length: 25.5" (64.77 cm)
• Neck Dimensions: .850'' - .910''
• Neck Radius: 9.50''
• Frets: 21 - 6105 Narrow Tall
• Nut Width: 1.650''
• Nut Material: Bone
• Neck Finish: Urethane with Light Tint
• Headstock: Large Headstock
• Neck Pickup: Custom Shop Hand-Wound Under-Wound '69 Single-Coil Strat®
• Middle Pickup: Custom Shop Hand-Wound Under-Wound '69 Single-Coil Strat®
• Bridge Pickup: Custom Shop Hand-Wound Under-Wound '69 Single-Coil Strat®
• Pickguard: 3-Ply Parchment
• Hardware: Nickel/Chrome
• Bridge: Custom Shop Vintage Synchronized Tremolo
• Tuners: Schaller® "F"
• Controls: 1 Volume, 2 Tone and 5-Way Switch
• Case: Fender Custom Shop / G&G Hardshell Case
• Weight: 7.95 Pounds (7 lbs 15 oz)