PricePaid: 2000 EUR (S/H)
Purchased From: Dealer in Spain
Model Year: 2001Features: [9]
Recreation of a 1960 Stratocaster - although called a 1960 strat I think they are generally meant to emulate the early 1960s pre-CBS models.
Mine's Daphne Blue (so she gets called Daphne). The body is select alder with a maple neck (C-shaped) and rosewood fingerboard. 21 vintage style frets with 60s single coil PUPS. 3-ply mint green scratch plate.
It comes with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) which is numbered and signed, old style lead and strap and authentic brown tolex case.
It's a Strat - it does everything a strat is supposed to do - VERY WELL! Sounds: [10]
This guitar gets a big 10! It really does get "the sound" that I was looking for - FENDER TWANG!
I tried several other CS Strats - they were all good but this one was the best. Plug one into a good valve amp and you will get a smile on your face.
Played clean she sparkles and with some overdrive you've got a great, raunchy blues sound.
All 5 positions have great character and I find myself using all of them. Action, Fit & Finish: [9]
Plays great - it was fairly new when I got it but was pre owned. I can't say for certain if this left the factory like this or someone else set it up.
The workmanship is to a very high standard (albeit with a relic finish) and you can tell that these are the best materials available that were used in her construction.
When doing a relic job they tend to leave the necks alone although this one has had the finish sanded of. It I was to be picky I'd say that it is probably just a little too smooth because of this.
The finish is aged nicely and is a thin cellulose coat. I'm sure it'll wear down plenty more over time.
Reliability & Durability: [9]
You often hear that Fenders can be used to hammer in fence posts etc etc. Well although that may be an exaggeration they can certainly handle some abuse - not that I treat her anything but gently ;)
It's always in tune when I pull the guitar out of the case and even with seasonal variations I don't need to make any truss rod adjustments. Overall Rating: [9]
I do love this guitar and would never sell it. I really wanted to get a Custom Shop and it was a magic day when I finally got one. These truly are great guitars and, funds permitting, I would buy another in a flash.
Here's the crunch - I didn't set out to buy a relic. I kind of wanted a NOS as I like my guitars to age with me. I know there is a lot of debate over this whole issue but even now owning one I'm not sure of the merits of the actual relic process.
The important thing is this guitar plays and sounds FANTASTIC!
The day I went out to buy this I had 2 dealers in mind (pretty much all there was locally for some distance)
Each one I played sounded great but there was variation. This made me sure I had to go to the other dealer before committment. I guess I played around 6 or 7 CS strats on that day. I'd finally narrowed it down to two '60 versions. One was a slightly used NOS and this 60 Relic. They were both exceptional but this one just had the edge.
Playability and sound are the most important - right? Well it had to be this one and I'm glad that I went ahead because everyone that plays it pays the highest of compliments.
If you are thinking of getting a Custom Shop guitar then go for it. They are fantasic quality. Just play a few first to make comparisons. There is a difference - after all these are hand finished - that's not necessarily a bad thing. Try a few and you'll definately find one that speaks to you. | 
Custom Shop 60s Stratocaster Relic
