Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster 59 Heavy Relic Purple Metallic

Imagine a hot night in a blues club, where smoke, whisky, and sweat create a perfect atmosphere for dedicated players ripping their instruments. They've been coming here every weekend with just one aim - to express the song of their souls through screaming amps. They give it all like there's no tomorrow. This amazing Fender Stratocaster takes you back to this club. Being a creation of Custom Shop based on the 60s Stratocaster, it also has features associated with the 1959 model. 

Starting with the wood - a lightweight piece of ash was used for the body. Thanks to it the guitar's weight is low, around 3.15 kilograms. It helps to resonate better and in combination with a thicker, large C neck delivers sustain and punchy note dynamics. The hardware is pretty standard - American Vintage tremolo and tuning keys, a 5-way switch, 3 knobs, and an angled jack input. 

The neck feels nice and solid, not too thick yet on the larger side. Its back is sanded off to create the worn-out vintage feeling, worth noting is also the rolling of fret edges. All together it gives a nice vibe of an older, played-in instrument with a story.

As far as the pickups go, the 69/65/Texas Special combo has the appetite for a hotter blues drive. It's by no means a humble sound for those who like to be in the shadow - both in the clean and overdriven version it will be pushing you to the front with a nice balance of sparkle and midrange compression. 

Visually, the color is dominant, in your face plum purple with a metallic shine. The relic job is heavy, and there's a lot of wood sneaking from under the paint. Scratches, wears, and tears - it's all we're in for here. 

Specification

• Body: ash
• Body sorted for lightweight: yes
• Lacquer: purple metallic, nitro
• Relic: Heavy
• Neck: maple 5/4 quarter-sawn
• Neck profile: large C (.850" 1st fret - .950" 12th fret)
• Back of the neck finish: sanded off, worn, relic
• Fretboard: AAA rosewood
• Fretboard radius: 9.5"
• Frets: 6105 Sanko
• Pickups: 69 (neck) / 65 RWRP (middle) / Texas Special (bridge)
• Bridge: American Vintage Tremolo
• Tuners: American Vintage Tuners
• Weight: 3.15 kg
• Hardcase: yes
• Certificates: yes
• Relic: yes