Fender Custom Shop Deluxe Stratocaster Heavy Relic, 3A Rosewood Fingerboard, Aged Black

It’s epic without trying too hard. No flashy colours or secret undercoats. Just a seriously tasteful, road-ready Strat that’s built to inspire. The aged black nitro finish over select ash wears its heavy relic scars with total confidence, like a perfectly broken-in leather jacket. Every nick and fade feels classy, never forced, and the matching relic’d headstock ties the whole look together in the most satisfying way. It’s the kind of guitar that makes you play better just by being in a 100km radius of it. ;)

The quartersawn maple neck with its ’60s oval “C” profile is pure comfort, instantly familiar. The rosewood board and narrow-tall frets strike that sweet spot between vintage vibe and modern playability, making bends smooth and articulate all the way up the neck. Finished in nitro and worn just right, it feels fast, organic, and alive, like it’s been shaped by decades of great hands.

Plug it in and the Custom Shop hand-wound Fat ’60s pickups absolutely sing. You get glassy highs, woody mids, and that chewy low end that only a great Strat can deliver, with every position on the 5 way switch offering a distinct, musical personality. From shimmering cleans to gritty edge-of-breakup tones, this guitar has range, soul, and attitude in equal measure. Feels like it’s already lived a thousand legendary gigs and is itching for a thousand more! Will you provide it the honour? :)

Body

Neck