Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 4 stores. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $4,935
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster - Heavy Relic". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster - Heavy Relic is a masterful homage to the legendary 1959 Strat, capturing the essence of a pivotal year in guitar history with authentic, hand-wound Texas Special pickups. This instrument is more than just a guitar; it's a storyteller, boasting a two-piece select alder body cloaked in a Heavy Relic nitrocellulose lacquer finish that exudes a vintage, well-loved appearance. The rift-sawn maple neck, featuring an "oval C" profile, is complemented by a 9.5"-radius flat-lam rosewood fingerboard, offering a smooth and comfortable playing experience, perfect for deep bends and expressive solos.
True to its heritage, this Stratocaster comes equipped with a vintage-style synchronized tremolo and an 11-hole single-ply parchment pickguard, nodding to the transitional quirks of its era. The meticulous craftsmanship is evident in every detail, from the vintage-style tuning machines to the bone nut, ensuring that each note resonates with clarity and precision. Whether you're a purist seeking the nostalgic tones of yesteryears or a modern player yearning for timeless style and sound, this guitar is a bridge between the past and the present.
Key Features:
- Two-piece select alder body with Heavy Relic nitrocellulose lacquer finish
- Rift-sawn maple neck with "oval C" profile
- 9.5"-radius flat-lam rosewood fingerboard with 21 jumbo frets
- Hand-wound Texas Special single-coil pickups
- 5-way pickup switch with vintage modified #2 wiring
- Custom Shop vintage-style synchronized tremolo
- Vintage-style tuning machines
- Includes deluxe hardshell case, strap, and certificate of authenticity
Product specs
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Type | Solidbody |
| Body Shape | Stratocaster |
| Body Material | Alder |
| Body Finish | Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Neck Material | Quartersawn Maple |
| Neck Shape | '60s Oval C |
| Neck Joint | Bolt-on |
| Radius | 9.5" |
| Fingerboard Material | Flat-Laminated Rosewood |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Vintage Clay Dot |
| Number of Frets | 21, Jumbo |
| Scale Length | 25.5" |
| Nut Width | 1.650" |
| Nut Material | Bone |
| Bridge/Tailpiece | Fender Custom Shop Vintage Synchronized Tremolo |
| Tuners | Fender Vintage-Style |
| Neck Pickup | Custom Shop Hand-Wound Texas Special Single-Coil |
| Middle Pickup | Custom Shop Hand-Wound Texas Special Single-Coil |
| Bridge Pickup | Custom Shop Hand-Wound Texas Special Single-Coil |
| Controls | 1 x volume, 2 x tone |
| Switching | 5-way blade pickup switch |
| Strings | Fender 250R, .010-.046 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Hardshell Case |
FAQs
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What is the neck profile of the Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster - Heavy Relic?
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The neck profile of this Stratocaster is a '60s Oval C shape, offering a comfortable and familiar feel for players who appreciate vintage-style necks.
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What kind of tone can I expect from the Custom Shop Hand-Wound Texas Special pickups?
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The Custom Shop Hand-Wound Texas Special pickups deliver a powerful, midrange-heavy tone with a touch of vintage warmth, ideal for blues and rock styles.
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Is the Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster - Heavy Relic suitable for advanced players?
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Yes, this guitar is well-suited for advanced players due to its high-quality craftsmanship, vintage-inspired features, and versatile tone options.
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What does the "Heavy Relic" finish mean on this Stratocaster?
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The "Heavy Relic" finish means the guitar has been intentionally aged to replicate the look and feel of a well-worn, vintage instrument, with significant wear and tear for an authentic, broken-in appearance.
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Is the Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster - Heavy Relic easy to play?
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With its 9.5" radius and jumbo frets, this guitar offers smooth playability and easy bending, making it comfortable for various playing styles.
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Does the Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster - Heavy Relic come with a case?
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Yes, this guitar comes with a hardshell case for protection and easy transport.
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster - Heavy Relic.
Build quality
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The neck is highly praised for its feel, featuring a smooth, non-sticky finish and nicely rolled edges, making it comfortable for thumb-over playing.
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The pickguard and knobs have more domed, rounded edges, which are reminiscent of specific vintage eras, enhancing the relic authenticity.
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Features and functionality
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The guitar's relic finish includes a unique color scheme where a blue layer is sprayed over a sunburst, which is a nod to Fender's historical custom color practices.
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The guitar features a dark rosewood fretboard that is so deep in color it could be mistaken for ebony, adding to its vintage aesthetic.
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Mods and upgrades
User experience
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The relic finish provides a relaxed playing experience, as players feel less worried about damaging the guitar, encouraging a more aggressive playing style.
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Some users enjoy the storytelling aspect, imagining a "50-year backstory" for their relic’d guitars, which adds a personal touch to the relic process.
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The guitar's "worn out" feel eliminates neck friction, enhancing playability and inspiring creativity.
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Some players report their Custom Shop Strats retaining value, motivating them to consider selling lesser-used gear.
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Use cases and applications
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The relic finish is reminiscent of iconic worn guitars like those of Rory Gallagher and Stevie Ray Vaughan, appealing to fans of vintage aesthetics.
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Setup and maintenance
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Pickup heights are recommended at 3/32" on the bass side and 2/32" on the treble side for optimal sound balance.
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Comparisons
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Owners compare Texas Special pickups favorably over other models like Fat '50s, noting a preference for their tonal characteristics.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 5 Ratings
47
Best Guitar I have owned
Mine is a '56 HR, and absolutely is the best guitar I have owned. Lot's of tonal options and fits in perfectly with my tonal needs.
Artist usage
Add artist
In this picture, Avril is using a Fender Custom Shop Heavy Relic Stratocaster electric guitar in sonic blue
Mauricio debuted this guitar in the concerts that Los Bunkers held within the framework of the social outbreak in Chile, in December 2019, then it was used for the concerts for the return of Los Bunkers in March 2023
Ángel Parra used the Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster - Heavy Relic during his solo carreer and some concerts with Los Tres from 2006 to 2013 when he left the band. and was used again at the widely attended concert of Los Tres at the Estadio Ester Roa on April 6, 2024, in Concepción.
In this YouTube video at 0:13, you can see Woosung with his Fender Custom Shop Heavy Relic Strat.
It can also be seen in the M/V version of this song at 0:04 -https://youtu.be/fuzLp9gDcwY?feature=shared&t=4
http://robert.guillerault.free.fr/magma/textes/2010/xtreme.htm (2010):
Sinon, avec Magma, depuis 99, je joue essentiellement avec une Gibson Les Paul custom, une Strat custom shop relic, la Frankenbanez éventuellement, et une Telecaster modifiée.
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 Stratocaster - Heavy Relic, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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