A Relic with a Story to Tell
This isn’t just another Strat; this is a sonic time capsule with a twist. Right off the bat, the Fender Custom Shop ’62 Heavy Relic commands your attention with its incredible Aged Daphne Blue over 3-Color Sunburst finish. Every ding, check, and worn spot tells a story, giving it the look and feel of a road warrior that’s seen decades of legendary gigs. Paired with the tastefully aged gold hardware and a Voo Doo Shell pickguard, this guitar has an undeniable vintage mojo that feels earned, not just applied.
A Trio of Hand-Wound Tonal Titans
Here’s where things get really interesting. The Custom Shop loaded this Strat with a very specific trio of hand-wound pickups for maximum versatility. In the neck, you’ve got a Hand-Wound ’69 for those glassy, bell-like Hendrix and Gilmour tones. Think pure, articulate, chime with a touch of psychedelic bloom. The middle position houses a Hand-Wound Fat 50’s for a beefier, warmer take on classic Strat quack, perfect for rhythm work that needs to cut. Then, prepare for liftoff. The bridge is a Hand-Wound Texas Special, reverse-angled for tighter lows and fatter highs, delivering that iconic SRV-style bite and searing lead tone that pushes an amp into sweet, gritty overdrive.
Plays Like a Dream
The foundation of this guitar’s incredible feel is its quarter-sawn roasted maple neck, shaped into a substantial Large “C” profile that really fills the hand. It’s topped with a dark AAA rosewood fingerboard with a modern 9.5″ radius and 21 jumbo frets, making big bends and slick lead lines feel absolutely effortless. The heavy relic treatment on the neck back feels like you’ve been playing it for years, smooth, worn-in, and utterly comfortable from the first chord.
