Fender Custom Shop John Cruz Master Design 1963 Stratocaster Relic – Two Tone Sunburst Fender Custom Shop

Fender Custom Shop John Cruz Master Design 1963 Stratocaster Relic

Limited Edition Master Design Series Electric Guitar!

Designed by Master Builder John Cruz!

Incredible Custom Electric Guitar!

Based on Hot-Rodded ’63 Strat Specs

The latest Limited Edition Stratocaster in the Master Design Series is the Fender Custom Shop Master Design 1963 Relic Stratocaster. This outstanding custom electric guitar is meticulously designed by longtime Master Builder John Cruz to embody the classic early-’60s vibe and look, with hot-rodded features under the hood that deliver modern playability along with tonal versatility. The Limited Edition John Cruz Master Design ’63 Strat Relic comes with a set of special Master Design single-coil pickups which provide increased output, additional midrange punch and a sweeter top end for soloing. The middle pickup is Reverse-Wound / Reverse-Polarity for hum cancelling operation in positions two and four. Additional custom wiring features include a five-way switch, master volume and tone controls, along with a special blend control built into what would normally be the second tone knob. This blend control offers the neck and bridge pickups together in positions one and five, and all three pickups together in positions two and four. This is a feature we actually came up with while working with John to design and spec our Make’n Music Exclusive, Dealer Select MVP Series Limited Run electric guitars. We later transitioned from a Blend pot to an S-1 switch, and John refined the Blend pot’s operation. Either way- We absolutely love that Neck / Bridge pickup combination! It’s a classic tone that is typically unavailable from the Fender Stratocaster and one of the innovations that makes this Limited Edition Master Design Stratocaster Relic such a killer piece or gear!

Attention to detail from this ’63 Strat Relic Master Design Limited Edition

From a few feet away you would be hard pressed to tell that this John Cruz Master Design Series Limited Edition wasn’t an actual Vintage 1963 Stratocaster. The two-piece Alder body has an off-center seam (just like Leo Fender used to use) and the faded Two-color Sunburst, Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish has been tastefully distressed with a light Relic treatment for a truly authentic, vintage look that isn’t over done. Other premium features include a Quartersawn Maple Neck with a meaty, Large “C” profile and the finish worn off the  back for a smooth, fast feel. The 12″ fingerboard radius on the round-laminated, extra Dark Rosewood fingerboard is built with comfortably rolled edges and jumbo frets for maximum comfort and playability with the lowest possible action. A stock looking vintage-style synchronized Tremolo bridge is actually built with a brass block for as livelier, overall tone and comes with an extra-sturdy, larger-diameter trem arm. A three-ply Mint Green Nitrocellulose pickguard and nickel /chrome hardware complete the cosmetic package. Includes special Center Pocket Black case with Fender Amp Logo, cable, strap, tool kit and certificate of authenticity.

John Cruz is one of Fender’s most acclaimed Masterbuilders!

John Cruz came to Fender in 1987, joined the Custom Shop in 1993 and became a Master Builder in 2003. Custom guitars are his passion and he is the man behind several of the most iconic Custom Shop instruments, including the replica of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s famous “Number One” Stratocaster guitar. Cruz also developed all of the production processes for the Rory Gallagher and Muddy Waters tribute guitars. His meticulous work was essential to all aspects of the initial Custom Shop Relic guitars and basses and he initiated the Custom Shop’s quality assurance program. It’s no wonder he has been recruited to build fantastic guitars for esteemed players like Doug Aldrich (Dio, Whitesnake), Dave Amato and Bruce Hall (REO Speedwagon), Mick Mars (Mötley Crüe), Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi), Bono (U2), Duff McKagan (Guns N’ Roses), Ike Turner and Brad Whitford (Aerosmith).

Features of the Fender Custom Shop John Cruz Master Design 1963 Relic Stratocaster in 2-Color Sunburst

• Lightweight Alder with Off-Center Seam
• Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish
• Quartersawn Maple Neck
• Dark Round-Laminated Rosewood Fingerboard
• Large “C” Profile (.890″ – .950″)
• 25.5″ Scale Length
• 12″ Radius
• 21 x Jumbo Frets
• 1.650″ Nut Width
• Master Design Single-Coil Strat Pickups
• Master Volume Control
• Master Tone Control
• 5-way Switch
• Blend Control (Bridge / Neck pickups)
• 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo with Brass Block
• Nickel Hardware
• Vintage-Style Tuners with Fender Logo
• 3-Ply Mint Green Pickguard
• Black Center Pocket Hardshell Case
• Cable, Strap, CruzTools® Tool Kit
• Certificate of Authenticity
• Model Number:               1551960803
• 7.6 Lbs

Fender®, Squier®, Stratocaster®, Telecaster®, Precision Bass®, Jazz Bass®, and the distinctive headstock and bodies commonly found on the Strat®, Tele® and P Bass® are trademarks of the Fender® Musical Instruments Corporation. Fender® Musical Instruments (excluding accessories) may not be shipped outside the USA.