Fender Custom Shop 1962 Stratocaster Heavy Relic - Candy Apple Red

This 1962 Stratocaster from the Fender Custom Shop captures the spirit of early-'60s craftsmanship with a bold Candy Apple Red finish and a heavy relic treatment that feels broken-in from day one. Built from lightweight alder and topped with a urethane NOS coat, it’s a guitar that looks and sounds like it’s lived a few lifetimes.

The maple neck features a rosewood fingerboard with a 9.5" radius and 6105 frets for smooth, expressive play. A medium C profile and medium tint finish offer comfort and vintage character, while rifle dot markers and a classic '60s headstock decal complete the look.

Under the hood, you’ll find handwound '60/'63 Strat pickups wired to a 5-way CRL switch and vintage-style controls. Chrome hardware, a relic’d 1963–76 GBG pickguard, and vintage-style tuners with the Fender logo round out the build.

This Strat is a player’s dream and a collector’s gem, crafted for tone, feel, and timeless style.

Model: W25-1962 Strat HREL-CAR
Serial Number: CZ537014
Body Wood Type: Alder (sorted for light weight)
Color: Candy Apple Red
Finish: NOS (New Old Stock)
Top Coat: Urethane
Hardware: Chrome
Bridge: American Vintage Stratocaster, Relic
Pickguard: 1963–76 Strat GBG, Relic
Control Plate: None
Output Jack: Vintage Strat, Relic
Back Plate: None
Neck Type: ’60s Strat, Closet Classic / Relic
Neck Wood: Maple
Fingerboard: Rosewood Radius: 9.5"
Frets: 6105
Nut Width: 1.650"
Shape: ’60s Strat Medium C
Finish: Medium Tint
Headstock Decal: ’60s Strat
Notes: Rifle dots
Pickups: Handwound ’60/’63 Strat, Relic
Switch: 5-way CRL lever
Controls: Vintage Strat layout (Volume / Tone / Tone)
Tuners: Vintage with Fender logo, Relic
String Tree: American Vintage
Strap Locks: None
Neck Plate: Vintage, Relic
Jack: Vintage Strat, Relic