Fender Custom Shop 1956 Stratocaster Journeyman Relic, Aged Black

New for 2023, the Fender Custom Shop introduces the ’56 Stratocaster Journeyman Relic. More than 65 years after its namesake predecessor, the instrument is loaded with looks, sound and vibe that expertly evokes the Stratocaster in its original golden era.

The two-piece select ash body exudes balanced highs and sweet midrange with lively resonance, with an off-center seam and wrapped in stately Journeyman Relic flash coat lacquer finishes in Aged White Blonde, Wide Fade Two-Color Sunburst, Aged Black and Aged Sherwood Metallic. This special treatment imparts the look of a guitar that has changed hands or been handed down over the years, mostly played around the house and the occasional jam session or weekend gig. This generally well-cared-for look includes light finish checking, several “friendly” down-to-the-wood nicks and dings, some dulling of the hardware, and general moderate playing wear. The look of a very lucky find, in short.

The one-piece flat-sawn maple neck has a chunky ’54-style Soft “V” profile, topped by a comfortable vintage compound-radius (7.25”-9.5”) maple fingerboard that flattens slightly toward the nut for easy bending, with 21 medium vintage (47095) frets and a bone nut. All three Custom Shop hand-wound ’55 Strat® pickups (reverse-wound/reverse-polarity middle pickup for hum cancellation in switch positions 2 and 4) deliver crystal-clear highs and well-balanced midrange, with ’54-’58 vintage Strat wiring and five-way switching. Other premium features include a single-ply parchment pickguard, Custom Shop vintage synchronized tremolo bridge, vintage-style tuners, wing string tree with nylon spacer, deluxe hardshell case, strap and certificate of authenticity.

Please note: The photos of this guitar are stock images and may not be the exact guitar that arrives with us. Photos of the specific guitar will be taken when the instrument lands in store.

Specifications

General

• Series: Time Machine™
• Orientation: Right-Hand
• Colour: Aged Black
• Country Of Origin: US

Neck

• Headstock: Stratocaster® Small
• Neck Material: Maple
• Neck Finish: Flash Coat Lacquer
• Neck Shape: 1954 “Soft V”
• Neck Thickness: .940"
• Neck Butt Width: 2.200"
• Neck Thickness 12th Fret: .970"
• Fingerboard Radius: 7.25" to 9.5" Vintage Compound Radius (184 mm to 241 mm)
• Fingerboard Material: 1-Piece Maple Neck
• Position Inlays: Black Micarta Dot, 0.25" (6.35 mm)
• Side Dots: Black Micarta, 3/32" (2.38 mm)
• Number Of Frets: 21
• Truss Rod: Vintage-Style Butt Adjust
• String Nut: Bone
• Nut Width: 1.625" (41.3 mm)
• Nut Material: Bone

Body

• Body: 2-Piece Offset Seam Ash
• Body Finish: Flash Coat Lacquer
• Body Shape: Stratocaster®
• Body Material: 2-Piece Offset Seam Ash

Hardware

• Bridge: Custom Shop Vintage Synchronized Tremolo
• Pickguard: 1-Ply Parchment
• Control Knobs: Vintage White Plastic
• Switch Tip: Vintage White
• Hardware Finish: Nickel/Chrome
• Tuning Machines: Vintage-Style With Fender® Logo
• String Trees: Vintage-Style Disc
• Strings: Fender® USA 250R Nickel Plated Steel (.010-.046 Gauges), PN 0730250406
• Tremolo Arm: Vintage-Style Tremolo Arm
• Neck Plate: 4-Bolt with Custom Shop “V” Logo

Electronics

• Bridge Pickup: Custom Shop Hand-Wound ‘55 Single-Coil Strat®
• Middle Pickup: Custom Shop Hand-Wound Rwrp ‘55 Single-Coil Strat®
• Neck Pickup: Custom Shop Hand-Wound ‘55 Single-Coil Strat®
• Pickup Configuration: SSS
• Controls: Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone 2. (Middle Pickup)
• Switching: 5-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup, Position 3. Middle Pickup, Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup, Position 5. Neck Pickup
• Potentiometers: 250K 10% Taper Split

Accessories

• Deluxe Hardshell Case, Strap and Certificate of Authenticity.