New for 2023, the Fender Custom Shop introduces this Limited Edition ’61 Stratocaster Super Heavy Relic, and believe us—it’s very aptly named. The two-piece select alder body wears Heavy Relic lacquer finishes in Faded Aged Sonic Blue over Three-Color Sunburst. This is the heaviest of the Relic treatments, with each imparting the look of a golden-era 1961 Strat that has not exactly been handled gingerly over six-plus decades. From seriously dinged and damaged wear to intensely discolored hardware and finish, this is a guitar that has been to Hell and back more than once; a guitar that has repeatedly been through the ringer and then some, laughing all the while even as it demands more punishment.
Classic appointments abound: Its quartersawn maple neck has an easy-playing ’60-style Oval “C” profile, topped by a flat-lam rosewood fingerboard with a 9.5” radius, 21 jumbo (6100) frets and a bone nut. Three Custom Shop Hand-Wound M.D. BONE TONE pickups brings out the best in Strat® tone with clear highs, chirpy midrange and tight lows.
Other premium features include a three-ply mint green pickguard, five-way pickup switch, Custom Shop vintage synchronized tremolo bridge, vintage-style tuners, wing string tree with tall metal spacer, deluxe hardshell Brown case, strap and certificate of authenticity.
General:
Model Number: 9236081309
Series: Time Machine
Color: Aged Sonic Blue over 3-Color Sunburst
Orientation: Right-Hand
Body:
Body Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Shape: Stratocaster®
Body Material: 2-Piece Select Alder
Neck:
Neck Material: Quartersawn Maple
Neck Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Neck Shape: '60s Oval "C"
Fingerboard Radius: 9.5" (241 mm)
Fingerboard Material: Flat-Laminated Rosewood
Number of Frets: 21
Fret Size: Jumbo (6100)
Nut Width: 1.650" (42 mm)
Position Inlays: Vintage Clay Dot
Headstock: Stratocaster® Small
Neck Plate: Engraved Limited Edition
Hardware:
Bridge: Custom Shop Vintage Synchronized Tremolo
Tuning Machines: Vintage-Style with Fender Logo
Pickguard: 3-Ply Mint Green
Control Knobs: Vintage-Style Skirted White Plastic
Electronics:
Bridge Pickup: Custom Shop Hand-Wound M.D. BONE TONE Bridge
Middle Pickup: Custom Shop Hand-Wound M.D. BONE TONE Middle
Neck Pickup: Custom Shop Hand-Wound M.D. BONE TONE Neck
Controls: FAT 50 Strat 1/2 Blender
Configuration: SSS
This guitar, part of the Limited Edition series, is a fusion of vintage Stratocaster® design and contemporary innovation, offering a remarkable playing experience for musicians seeking exceptional tone and style.
