~Guitar pictured is the actual guitar that you will receive~

“For over 25 years, the Strat has been my go-to. The look, sound, and versatility of the Stratocaster, and the iconic heroes who play them, has been at the foundation of my experience as a musician. The Empire ‘59 Transition Strat draws on everything I love about the most expressive guitars ever made. Players will appreciate the familiar played-in neck and body feel, and the maturity and sweetness of our hand wound ‘59 pickups. These Strats are among the best I’ve played, and are a tribute to the deep connection between the Fender Stratocaster and the musicians who play them” - Justin, Empire Music

1959 was a turning point for the Fender Stratocaster. Fingerboard materials shifted, pickguards evolved, and the Strat’s voice matured into what would define the next era of music. Inspired by that moment in time — the bridge between the ’50s and ’60s — we wanted to deliver a guitar that feels inspiring, vintage-familiar, and player-ready today. With its hand-shaped neck, rolled fingerboard edges, and custom-wound pickups, the Empire ‘59 Transition Strat is a guitar that feels broken-in from day one and delivers all the clarity and responsiveness players demand today.

The Look and Feel
The Empire 59 “C” sits in the sweet spot of neck thicknesses, thin enough to be approachable and familiar, and ever so slightly fuller up top – a nod to the legendary oval-to-rounded neck profiles of the late 50s. It’s a neck that instantly feels like home in the hands of any player. Rolled edges on either maple or rosewood fingerboards create a seasoned, comfortable, and broken-in feel that's a hallmark feature of these guitars. A roasted quartersawn maple neck provides stability and an unmistakably distinguished look. Finally, a deliberately thin nitro finish enhances the breathability and resonance of the lightweight alder body. This upgraded finish feels broken-in from day one and carries the played-in neck feel through the entire experience of the guitar.

The Sound
The Empire ‘59 Hand Wound Pickups offer all the dynamic response and sweet character you’d expect from a 50’s pickup, but without overabundant brittleness and harshness – all wrapped in just enough warmth to give a vintage tonal experience. Over the course of a long development process that included many subtle tweaks to numerous pickup prototypes, we worked with the Fender Custom Shop to find this unique sonic lane, and achieve a Strat pickup that sounds responsive, lively, and mature. Expect defined low end, slightly scooped midrange, and sweet rounded top end chime. A half blender system allows the neck pickup to be rolled into the bridge and middle pickup positions (positions 1&2), injecting additional warmth into traditionally bright Strat sounds.

Final Details
Final features include an easy access top-adjust truss rod, a contoured neck heel, and a 7.25” to 9.5” compound radius. These final touches will accommodate the demands of the discerning modern player.

Shaped by years of listening to players and guiding countless custom builds, we worked closely with the Fender Custom Shop to get this build right. The result is a Stratocaster that feels timeless on day one and only grows more inspiring with every note you play.

Specifications:

• Serial #: XN19694
• Model#: 9232003231
• Base Model: 56 Strat
• Finish Type: NOS
• Case: FCS Strat/Tele Tweed
• Plating: Chrome/Nickel Hardware
• Left Or Right: Right Hand
• Body Wood: Alder
• Sort for Weight: Yes
• Neck Mtg.Holes: 4 Bolt w/ Contour
• Bridge Holes: Am Vint Strat Brg
• Body Finish: Lacquer
• Top Color: Midnight Blue
• Bridge: Am Vint Strat Brg
• Output: Vint Strat
• Neck Plate: Contour V Logo Sn
• Rear Cover: None
• Strings: 10-46
• String Tree: Am Vint 59-64 Metal Spr
• Strap Lock: None
• Trem Arm: Vintage Strat
• Trem Arm Tip: White
• Pickguard: 59 Strat 9H .060 Parchment
• Controls: Strat 1/2 Blender W/Saver
• Selector Switch: Switch 5-Way Lever Crl
• Switch Tip: White
• Tone Knob: Strat Sm Ft Tone White
• Volume Knob: Strat Sm Ft Vol White
• Pots: 250k 10% Taper Split
• Neck P/U: Hw Empire 59 Nk/Mid
• Middle P/U: Hw Empire 59 Rwrp
• Bridge P/U: Hw Empire 59 Brg
• Neck Finish: Med_Tint Ncl
• Neck Blank: Maple Roasted Quatersawn
• Round Lam Or Slab: Flat Lam Slab
• Fretboard Wood: Roasted Quartersawn Maple
• Truss Rod: Bi-Flex American Standard
• No. Of Frets: 21
• Tuning Keys: Vintage Fender Logo
• Head Style: Small
• Head Scoop: 59
• Head Thickness: 0.54”
• Fret Wire: Narrow Tall/6105
• Facedots: Micarta Black .250"
• Dot Spacing: Wide
• Fretboard Radius: 7.25"-9.50" Compound
• Nut Width: 1.650”
• Butt Width: 2.200”
• Neck Shape: Empire 59 “C”
• Neck Spec 1st: .790”
• 12th Fret: .950”
• Neck Binding: No
• Nut: Bone
• Side Dots: Micarta Black 3/32"
• Headstock Binding: No
• Decal: 54-60 Strat w/ OCB
• Weight: 7lbs 3oz

Our Custom Shop Authorized technicians complete a full professional factory-spec setup and inspection before shipping or in-store pickup, ensuring an extraordinary playing experience!