Used 2012 Fender Custom Shop 1959 Stratocaster – Closet Classic

Condition Report

This Custom Shop '59 Strat has seen some honest playwear, and it has undergone some additional relic work. The frets show moderate wear, and there are some dings on the top, back and sides. The body also shows some moderate checking.

This guitar has also undergone some modifications. A previous owner routed the pickup cavities to be deeper (likely to accommodate a stack pickup) and relic'd the neck. The fretboard shows a non-original wear pattern, and the back of the neck has had its finish sanded off. The headstock and the first fret have received a stain as well. While it's not an original relic, it looks pretty cool!

It comes with its original hardshell case and a certificate of authenticity from the Fender Custom Shop, too!

Sonic Evaluation

This Custom Shop '59 Strat's powerful resonance and rich voice laden with harmonic overtones are immediately apparent, even when you're playing it unplugged. I hit a loud pinch harmonic as I was tuning it up acoustically, and its power shocked me! When I plugged in, my thoughts immediately went ot one man: David Gilmour. I always say Strats fall on a scale of Hendrix to Gilmour, and this one leans firmly to the dark side of the moon.

In concrete terms, that means it's bright and sunny but without any icepick-y harsh frequencies, just pleasant, sweet chime. The highs sizzle and sparkle, the midrange is throaty and vocal, and the lows are substantial but not so much as to upset the guitar's balance. The bridge pickup stings like a bee and floats like a butterfly with its focused bite beautiful jangle, the middle pickup brings more midrange grunt and gets glassier and smoother, and the neck pickup is righteously thick and chewy.

If you're looking for a fantastic example of a sunny-sounding Strat, check this serial out!