The Fender Custom Shop 2018 NAMM Limited 1962 Stratocaster Heavy Relic is one of the most visually and tonally distinctive Stratocasters the Custom Shop has produced - a guitar built to recreate the worn, resonant character of a beloved and heavily played early 1960s Stratocaster, certified as a Limited Edition by masterbuilder C.W. Fleming and completed on 13 August 2018. The Sonic Blue over 3-Colour Sunburst finish option is a rare and striking specification - the Sonic Blue top colour revealing the 3-colour sunburst beneath through the heavy relic aging process, creating an aged, layered visual effect that is as unique as any Custom Shop guitar in existence. The 2-piece ash body finished in flat coat lacquer delivers the characteristic bright, punchy, resonant tonal foundation that ash is celebrated for - a livelier, more open acoustic character than the more common alder body Stratocasters of the same era.

Three Hand-Wound 60/63 Custom Shop pickups are wired through a Vintage Modified wiring assembly, delivering the clear, sparkling, and dynamically expressive single-coil voice of the golden era Stratocaster with period-correct vintage character throughout. The maple neck with 1960-Style oval C neck shape recreates the playing feel of an original 1962 neck with exceptional authenticity. Vintage-style Fender logo relay chrome tuners, American Vintage Strat bridge, and aged chrome hardware throughout complete a specification that is as thoroughly considered as the most significant NAMM limited editions Fender produces. 

This 2018-built Strat is simply as good as it gets - it sounds and feels like a vintage guitar, with one of the most approachable and comfortable necks I've ever come across. The finish is incredible, and feels nicely worn-in like a vintage guitar should. If you've been looking for the Strat - don't miss this one. Includes original hardshell case and all case candy. 

Specs

• Model: Fender Custom Shop 2018 NAMM Limited 1962 Stratocaster Heavy Relic
• Serial number: CZ537228
• Date: 13 August 2018
• Masterbuilder: C.W. Fleming (seq. 6209)
• Body: Ash, 2-piece, 60 Strat style
• Body finish: Flat coat lacquer, Heavy Relic
• Top colour: Sonic Blue (72)
• Bottom colour: 3-Colour Sunburst (00)
• Neck: Maple plain grain, 60 Style oval C profile
• Neck finish: Dark tint flat coat lacquer
• Headstock: Small, flat laminate, reverse flat laminate
• Fingerboard: Guitar Cities rosewood, AAA 9mm, sort/dark RW
• Fingerboard radius: 9.50"
• Frets: 21
• Fret wire: Sanko 6105
• Nut width: 1.650"
• Butt width: 2.200"
• Neck depth at 1st fret: 0.790"
• Neck depth at 12th fret: 0.930"
• Facedots: Vintage clay, wide spacing
• Pickups: HW 60/63 Strat neck relay, HW 60/63 Strat mid RWRP relay, HW 60/63 Strat bridge relay
• Controls: Strat Vintage Mod wiring #2 relay
• Bridge: American Vintage Strat bridge relay
• Tuners: Vintage Fender logo relay, chrome
• Hardware: Chrome/nickel
• Relic level: Heavy Relic
• Orientation: Right-hand
• Includes: FCS Strat/Tele brown case (56293)
• Made in: USA (Corona, California)