Used 2023 Fender Custom Shop Collection Time Machine 1956 Stratocaster – Journeyman Relic

Sonic Evaluation

"Time Machine" is apt name for this '56 Strat reissue, because playing it made me feel like I was cruising to the sock hop in a aircraft carrier-sized Chevy with tail fins and white-wall tires! It nails the classic fifties Strat sound: warm, inviting lows, vocal midrange, and sparkling trebles. It has that inimitable woody, vintage characteristic, too. The bridge pickup is tight and focused with a lovely jangle, the middle pickup is punchy and muscular, and the neck pickup is throaty and sweet. IF you're lookign for fab '50s Fender tone, take this serial for a ride!

Condition Report

Wow, this '56 Strat reissue is in killer condition! It shows little to no wear, has no cosmetic flaws to report other than some dings that have been colored in, and has virtually no fretwear. Most importantly, those hand-wound '55 Strat single-coils sound gorgeous--fifties Fender tone for days!--and the '54 V neck profile with compound 7.25"-9/5" radius is outrageously fun to play. It comes with its original hardshell case, floor traveler, bridge cover, and hangtags.