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Pricing and availability
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Description
Step back in time with the Fender Custom Shop 1961 Stratocaster Relic, a masterful tribute to the golden era of electric guitars. Channeling the spirit of the early '60s, this iconic model blends vintage aesthetics with modern playability, making it a dream for collectors and players alike. The lightweight alder body boasts comfortably deep contours, perfect for hours of effortless playing. Coupled with a quartersawn maple neck featuring an oval "C" profile, this Stratocaster promises unparalleled stability and a smooth, comfortable grip for both rhythm and lead work.
Texas Special single-coil pickups are the heartbeat of this instrument, delivering the quintessential Texas blues sound with their rich mids, sparkling highs, and tight lows. These Alnico V magnet pickups are designed to push your amplifier into a natural overdrive, providing that coveted, gritty tone with ease. The reverse-wound, reverse-polarity middle pickup significantly reduces hum, offering a pristine vintage sound without any unwanted noise.
The guitar's Relic finish and aged hardware evoke a well-loved instrument's character, capturing the essence of decades of playing. This meticulous attention to detail ensures that each scratch and imperfection tells a story, giving you the authentic feel and look of a true vintage guitar.
Key Features:
- Lightweight alder body with deep contours
- Quartersawn maple neck with oval "C" profile
- Texas Special single-coil pickups for rich, bluesy tones
- Reverse-wound, reverse-polarity middle pickup for reduced hum
- Relic finish and hardware for an authentic vintage vibe
- Modern 5-way pickup switching for versatile tonal options
Videos
GregsGuitars
2007 Fender Custom Shop 1961 Stratocaster, relic, olympic white Part2
2007 Fender Custom Shop 1961 Stratocaster, relic, olympic white Part2
GregsGuitars
2007 Fender Custom Shop 1961 Stratocaster, relic, olympic white Part1
GregsGuitars
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Custom Shop 1961 Stratocaster Relic.
Mods and upgrades
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Owners recommend checking out Japanese Heritage series Strats for authentic nitro finishes, excluding the 70s models for historical accuracy.
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A full setup, including fret leveling, is recommended to achieve optimal playability, especially if paying over £2000.
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Mark Foley BLK1 pickups offer a rich, warm, and harmonically complex tone, ideal for achieving the "Where the Light Is" John Mayer sound.
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Mark Foley pickups require additional routing to fit the Silver Sky body, making customization more complex.
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Comparisons
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The American Original series is praised for QC, closely approximating Custom Shop quality without the high price.
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The Fender's 10" radius allows for easier note bending and better sustain than the Silver Sky's 7.25" radius.
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The Custom Shop Stratocaster's worn-in neck offers a softer, more effortless play compared to the PRS Silver Sky's stiffer, more elastic string feel.
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Build quality
User experience
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Some find the 7.25" radius challenging for bends, but others report no issues even with 1.5-step bends.
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Some owners have noted that AVII models start showing natural relic signs like chipping and discoloration with use.
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The Custom Shop Stratocaster's fret polish is more refined, delivering a smoother play experience than the PRS Silver Sky.
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A clean boost pedal is recommended with Mark Foley pickups to counteract their low output and prevent them from feeling dead at low volume.
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Features and functionality
Value and pricing
Setup and maintenance
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Owners suggest action at 1.4mm on the bass side and 1.2mm on the treble side after a setup for smooth playability.
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Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
At 4:24, you can see the Fender Custom Shop logo and a heavily flamed neck. At 4:25, you can see Hiroto Wakai playing an aged Olympic White Stratocaster with tortoiseshell pickguard and the vintage pickguard screw arrangement. It has vintage-style tuners, tremolo, and 21 frets, so it's likely a 1960-1962 Custom Shop Stratocaster. Because there's basically no wear, I would guess it's either an NOS or Closet Classic.
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender Custom Shop 1961 Stratocaster Relic, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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