Up for sale is a standout 2013 Fender Custom Shop Heavy Relic 1956 Stratocaster Reissue in a beautiful Mary Kaye motif finish. This guitar perfectly captures the spirit of a well-loved '56 while offering the refined build quality and playability that only the Custom Shop can deliver. It's lightweight, resonant, and an absolute joy to play.

The heavy relic treatment on the body is expertly done, giving it genuine vintage character with just the right amount of wear, checking, and patina that tells a story without feeling overdone. What really sets this one apart, though, is the neck. The '56-style profile is impressively comfortable - substantial enough to feel like a real handful in the lower registers (that classic vintage chunk) yet transitions beautifully for fast, effortless playing higher up the fretboard. The fretwork is flawless, the rolled edges make it incredibly smooth and inviting under the hand, and the back has that perfect well-worn FCS neck feel. It's one of those necks that makes you immediately comfortable and inspired the moment you pick it up - fast, controlled, and full of vintage mojo without any of the quirks that can sometimes come with actual vintage guitars.

Currently loaded with Grosh pickups and an Emerson wiring upgrade, this Strat delivers a distinctive '60s bite and sparkle while retaining that signature '50s glassy clarity and dynamic response. The Grosh set has excellent articulation and note definition - the cleans are chimey and bell-like without ever getting shrill, and the bridge has a satisfying twang and punch that cuts through nicely. It responds beautifully to playing dynamics and pairs perfectly with the guitar's natural resonance.

All the original Abby Ybarra hand-wound pickups and electronics are included as well, so you can easily swap back for a more period-correct '56 voice or keep the Grosh setup for its versatile, inspiring tone. These are quite a hot commodity in the pickup world, so my price reflects their value. If you'd like to purchase with only the Grosh pickups, please let me know when making an offer and I'd be happy to accomodate!

Fun note is that at this time Fender was shipping these with 3-way switches (similar to the actual vintage Strats they're meant to emmulate). You could still get the in-between pickup positions but you have to manually place the switch into that spot. Not necessarily for me, but fun and worth noting if you're a vintage strat guy!

Condition-wise, it's in excellent shape. I listed at "Very Good" to be above any criticism given that it is a relic. There is some very slight discoloration at either side of the neck as it joins the headstock indicative of hanger stains, but with the vintage tinted nitro relic job it's hard to say if that's intentional or not.

This is a true player's Custom Shop Strat that combines authentic vintage looks and feel with thoughtful modern upgrades. It comes complete with the original Fender Custom Shop hardshell case, candy, Certificate of Authenticity, and all original parts.

If you're looking for a special '56-style Strat that stands out from the pack, this one is it. Feel free to reach out with any questions!