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Average Price: $8,495

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$400

$1001+

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Description

The Fender Custom Shop Carved Top Stratocaster is a masterwork of craftsmanship and innovation, seamlessly blending classic aesthetics with modern performance. Designed for musicians who appreciate the nuances of superior sound and playability, this guitar stands as a testament to Fender's commitment to quality. Its carved top design provides a unique visual appeal while enhancing the tonal resonance, setting it apart from traditional Stratocasters.

This electric guitar features a solid alder body, renowned for its balanced tone and sustain, making it suitable for a variety of musical styles. The neck is crafted from select maple, offering a smooth playing experience due to its satin finish and comfortable profile. The fingerboard, available in either rosewood or maple, provides a tactile response that is both responsive and versatile.

Equipped with a trio of Custom Shop single-coil pickups, the Carved Top Stratocaster delivers a range of tones from crisp cleans to gritty overdrives. The Custom Shop electronics are meticulously wired to ensure maximum clarity and definition, allowing every nuance of your playing to shine through. With a 5-way pickup selector, players can easily switch between different tones, making this guitar perfect for both stage and studio.

Carefully designed for the discerning guitarist, the Fender Custom Shop Carved Top Stratocaster embodies the spirit of innovation while retaining the iconic features that have made the Stratocaster a staple in the music world.

Key Features:

  • Solid alder body with carved top design
  • Maple neck with satin finish
  • Choice of rosewood or maple fingerboard
  • Custom Shop single-coil pickups
  • 5-way pickup selector switch
  • Vintage-style synchronized tremolo bridge
  • Includes hard-shell case and certificate of authenticity

Product specs

Brand Fender
Model Custom Shop Carved Top Stratocaster
Made In United States
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape S-Style
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Tremolo Bridge
Model Family Fender Stratocaster
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration HSS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 25.5"
Series Fender Custom Shop

FAQs

What is the neck profile like on the Fender Custom Shop Carved Top Stratocaster?

The Fender Custom Shop Carved Top Stratocaster features a comfortable modern "C" neck profile, which is ideal for a wide range of playing styles and offers smooth playability across all 22 frets.

What type of pickups does the Fender Custom Shop Carved Top Stratocaster have?

This Stratocaster is equipped with an HSS configuration, featuring a humbucker in the bridge position and single-coil pickups in the middle and neck positions, providing versatile tones suitable for rock, blues, and more.

Is the Fender Custom Shop Carved Top Stratocaster suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Stratocaster's solid body and versatile pickup configuration make it well-suited for live performances, offering a variety of tonal options and reliable tuning stability with its tremolo bridge.

How does the carved top affect the sound of the Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster?

The carved top adds a unique aesthetic and can subtly enhance resonance and sustain, contributing to a richer overall tonal character compared to standard flat-top models.

What kind of music genres is the Fender Custom Shop Carved Top Stratocaster best suited for?

This Stratocaster is highly versatile, making it suitable for genres like rock, blues, jazz, and pop, thanks to its HSS pickup configuration and classic Stratocaster tonal qualities.

Does the Fender Custom Shop Carved Top Stratocaster come with a case?

Yes, the Fender Custom Shop Carved Top Stratocaster typically includes a high-quality hardshell case to protect the instrument during transport and storage.

The Trogly's Guitar Show

The Trogly's Guitar Show

I've Never Seen A Strat Like THIS! | 2020 Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt Yuriy Shishkov Carved Top

Video thumbnail for I've Never Seen A Strat Like THIS! | 2020 Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt Yuriy Shishkov Carved Top by The Trogly's Guitar Show

I've Never Seen A Strat Like THIS! | 2020 Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt Yuriy Shishkov Carved Top

The Trogly's Guitar Show

The Trogly's Guitar Show

Video thumbnail for 1996 Fender Stratocaster Carved Top Custom Shop | Guitar Demo by Ten Guitars TV

1996 Fender Stratocaster Carved Top Custom Shop | Guitar Demo

Ten Guitars TV

Ten Guitars TV

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Custom Shop Carved Top Stratocaster.

Features and functionality

  • The Clapton Strat includes a TBX tone switch and mid boost, enhancing tonal flexibility with noiseless pickups for a cleaner sound.

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  • The Eric Clapton model is described as having a "steroid-like" output, offering significantly boosted performance compared to standard models.

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  • The bridge plate cover is highlighted as a solution for players who accidentally hit the volume knob during play.

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Build quality

  • Some owners praise the hand-carved roasted maple neck for its smooth playability and impeccable intonation, offering a modern feel with an 11" radius.

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  • The Cunetto Relic process is praised for its tasteful aging, offering a more realistic vintage look with minimal custom shop markings.

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  • The flamed maple neck is described as slim and comfortable, closely resembling a '59 Jazzmaster's neck profile without heavy relic treatment.

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Mods and upgrades

  • It's suggested that boutique or custom shop pickups can achieve desired sound for under $400, offering a cost-effective alternative to full guitar upgrades.

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  • Hand-wound Abigail Ybarra pickups are noted for delivering a vintage tone comparable to an authentic 1959 Jazzmaster.

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Comparisons

  • The Suhr ML/V63 single coils and Thornbucker pickups are highly rated, offering an alternative tonal quality to Fender's custom shop offerings.

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User experience

  • Owners with experience in both CS and non-CS Strats note a significant improvement in quality and playability with the Custom Shop models.

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  • A straight trade was seen as a fair deal for acquiring a Cunetto Relic, emphasizing its desirability among collectors.

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Value and pricing

  • Cunetto Relic Strats are currently priced between $4-6K, with expectations of reaching near $10K in value over the next five years.

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