Fender Custom Shop 1960 Stratocaster Journeyman Relic, Aged Black Overview
The Fender Custom Shop 1960 Stratocaster Journeyman Relic in Aged Black is a remarkable recreation of the early '60s Stratocaster, offering vintage character combined with modern performance tweaks. Its carefully aged black finish and hardware deliver the vibe of a well-played instrument while maintaining modern playability and reliability.
Body:
- Body Wood: Alder, a classic Fender tonewood known for its balanced sound with prominent midrange, ideal for clarity and punch.
- Body Spread: 2-piece construction to ensure excellent resonance and sustain.
- Body Style: 1960 Stratocaster
- Finish: Nitrocellulose lacquer, thin enough to let the wood breathe and age naturally, giving the guitar a more open and resonant tone over time. The Journeyman Relic treatment simulates light wear, making the guitar look well-loved but not overly distressed.
- Color: Aged Black for a vintage and timeless aesthetic.
Hardware:
- Bridge: American Vintage Stratocaster bridge, Relic’d for authenticity and designed to replicate the original vintage bridges used in the '60s.
- Output Jack: Vintage-style Stratocaster output, Relic’d.
- Neck Plate: “R” serial vintage-style neck plate, Relic’d.
- Back Plate: Stratocaster parchment, Relic’d for a lightly aged appearance.
- Rear Cover: None (open tremolo cavity).
- Strings: .010-.046 gauge, a standard set for balanced tension and versatility.
- Strap Locks: No strap locks.
- Tremolo Arm: Vintage upgraded '60s style, Relic’d, with a white tip.
- Pickguard: '60 Stratocaster nitrocellulose 3-ply (green/black/green), Relic’d.
Electronics:
- Controls: Modern Stratocaster control layout with Relic’d knobs and smooth operation.
- Selector Switch: 5-way lever switch for expanded tonal options, allowing access to combinations of pickups.
- Switch Tip: White, Relic’d.
- Knobs: White small-font tone and volume knobs, Relic’d.
- Pots: 250k with 10% taper for gradual and controlled tone adjustments.
- Pickups:
- Neck Pickup: Hand-wound Fat '60s Stratocaster Relic, delivering warm, full tones with vintage clarity.
- Middle Pickup: Hand-wound Fat '60s Stratocaster Relic, reverse-wound/reverse-polarity (RWRP) for hum-canceling in positions 2 and 4.
- Bridge Pickup: Hand-wound Fat '60s Stratocaster Relic, offering powerful, bright tones with excellent clarity.
Neck:
- Neck Wood: 5/4 quarter-sawn Maple, providing strength and stability while maintaining excellent resonance.
- Neck Shape: 1960s-style Oval “C” profile for a comfortable, slightly rounded grip.
- 1st Fret Thickness: .790"
- 12th Fret Thickness: .930"
- Neck Finish: Medium-tint nitrocellulose lacquer for a smooth, worn feel.
- Fretboard Wood: AAA-rated Rosewood (CITES-compliant), 9 mm thick, with dark sorting for a richer aesthetic and tone.
- Fretboard Radius: 9.5", offering a modern, comfortable curvature that’s excellent for bending and fast playing.
- Frets: 21 Narrow Tall (6105) frets for easier bending and precise intonation.
- Nut Width: 1.650", a standard width for optimal string spacing.
- Butt Width: 2.200" at the heel for a solid neck-body joint.
- Tuning Keys: Vintage-style tuners with the Fender logo, Relic’d.
- Headstock: Small, '60s-style with a “scoop” design and Relic’d finish.
- Fret Dots: Vintage clay face dots with wide spacing, giving the guitar a period-correct look.
- Side Dots: Vintage clay side dots for easy navigation.
- Truss Rod: Early '60s style for traditional neck adjustments.
- Decal: 1954-1960 Stratocaster headstock decal with an original Contour Body logo.
