2016 Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster, Journeyman Relic, Sunburst

A beautifully judged Custom Shop take on the classic Strat spec, this 2016 ’57 Stratocaster Journeyman Relic combines classic late-’50s style with a few player-friendly refinements and the feel of a well-loved original.

Finished in two-tone sunburst over a two-piece Ash body, the lightly aged Journeyman Relic treatment gives the guitar the look and feel of a cherished vintage instrument, with subtle wear throughout adding character without going too over-the-top. 

Tonally, this Strat is clear and articulate in the neck position, punchy through the middle pickup, and bright with plenty of bite at the bridge. The hand-wound Ancho Poblano single coils offer a slightly hotter, fuller take on classic Strat tones, retaining all the expected sparkle and quack while adding extra midrange push, increasing towards the bridge, while the neck pickup has been replaced with a Dave Gilmore-favoured Seymour Duncan SSL-5; the original is retained in the case.

The maple neck features a comfortable ’57 Soft “V” profile, measuring .850" at the 1st fret and .990" at the 12th fret, with a 9.5” radius, medium jumbo frets, and rolled fingerboard edges making chords and bends effortless, while the worn neck finish front and back gives it the broken-in feel of a long-time favourite.

 Supplied in its original Fender Custom Shop tweed case complete with case candy.