The Fender Custom Shop has created a number of great relic guitars in their custom shop special edition series.  One of these is the Classic S-1 Telecaster Relic Guitar.  classic-s-1-telecaster-relic-guitarThis guitar has been custom-built by the Fender team to combine both a great vintage look with many modern elements.  The Classic S-1 Telecaster is available in two different colors: standard black and a three-color sunburst.  It comes in both new old stock and relic versions. Read more


The Fender Custom Shop’s LTD Dealer Select series included a number of different Stratocaster and Telecaster models.  makee28099n-music-mvp-1960s-telecaster-heavy-relic-masterbuiltAs part of this series, Fender has partnered with Make’n Music to produce some of these instruments, including the Make’n Music MVP 1960s Telecaster Heavy Relic Masterbuilt.  This relic guitar is as popular now as it was when the original model was introduced.  Those who used telecasters produced during the 1960s include Albert Collins, the man dubbed the Master of the Telecaster. Read more


Wildwood Guitars offers a number of relic guitars, and all of their instruments are highly sought after by collectors.  ltd-dealer-select-wildwood-e2809c10se2809d-1959-telecaster-custom-relic-guitarTheir exclusive guitars include the LTD Dealer Select Wildwood “10s” 1959 Telecaster Custom Relic guitar, a guitar that was built in collaboration with the Fender Custom Shop.  Every one of these guitars was carefully hand-crafted by Fender to insure quality and attention to every detail.  The 1959 Telecaster is available in both custom-built and master-built versions so collectors can select whichever they prefer. There are only a limited number of these relic guitars, however, so collectors must buy quickly. Read more


The 1969 Stratocaster Relic Guitar is a very popular instrument known for providing a great sound.  In fact, this guitar has been used by a number of popular musicians. 69-stratocaster-relic-guitar Female guitar player and singer Bonnie Raitt, for example, used a 1969 Stratocaster guitar for many years.  The ’69 Stratocaster Relic Guitar captures everything that made the original instrument amazing and, like all relics produced by Fender’s Custom Shop, it looks like an original.  Each and every relic guitar goes through an artificial aging system that creates nicks, wear, and tears on the finish.  The guitars also feature aged plastic parts and even rusty hardware to complete the look.  However, while they look old, they certain don’t play like they’ve been around for years! Read more


Starting in 1960, the Stratocaster guitar became quite popular, and many players began using the instrument.  1960-stratocaster-relic-guitarThis very creative decade all began with the 1960 Stratocaster, and now the Fender Custom Shop has created a 1960 Stratocaster Relic guitar that perfectly captures everything that made this guitar unique.  This relic has a limited run, however—Fender only made 100 three-color sunburst 1960 relics and 100 Dakota red relics.  Once they’re gone, these strat relics will never be available again.  This guitar came on the market in January of 2009, but you can bet it won’t be available for long. Read more


The limited edition 1956 Stratocaster Relic contains everything the greatest Stratocasters of the year featured.  In 1956, the Stratocaster was still a fairly young instrument, but it was becoming more and more popular.  1956-strat-relicRonnie Wood, guitarist for the Rolling Stones, actually used a 1956 Sunburst Strat for quite some time.  Thanks to the Fender Custom Shop, you can now own a guitar that looks identical to Wood’s.  However, you had better get one quickly because the 1956 Stratocaster Relic comes in a very limited supply—Fender has built 50 two-color Sunburst Strats and 50 desert sand strats.  Once they’re sold out, that’s it. Read more


Fender’s Custom Shop has created the “No-Neck” ‘60s Stratocaster Relic specifically for Music Zoo.  music-zoo-no-necked-60s-stratocasterThe nocaster neck profile is one of the most popular neck shapes, but the nocaster neck has never been offered on a Stratocaster guitar.  Well, until now, that is.  The Music Zoo No-Neck is the first ever Strat with this neck, making it quite a buy for collectors.  The ’60 Stratocaster combines the classic Strat with the features and playability of the rounded Nocaster neck.  It’s a unique, modern twist on two classic guitar features, and it’s an amazing instrument. Read more


The Music Zoo Masterbuilt Ultimate Relic Stratocaster is one of those Stratocaster relics that has been described as one of the best guitars around.  music-zoo-masterbuilt-ultimate-relic-stratocasterThe guitar was designed by both Music Zoo and the Fender Custom Shop, so you know it’s going to be a quality instrument.  It was designed to be the ultimate in feel and tone, and it has a number of unique features.  The Ultimate Relic Stratocaster is available in a number of different colors, reissue years, and is master built by either Jason Smith or John Cruz of the Fender Custom Shop.  The finishes, which include three-color starburst, sea foam green, daphne blue, and coral pink, are all done in heavy relic thin nitrocellulose lacquer finish. Read more


The Stratocaster Pro Relic is one of Fender Custom Shop’s limited collection. Many different players have used the Stratocaster Pro.  strat-pro-relicJust like many of the other limited collection relics, of course, Fender hasn’t made very many of these gems.  In fact, they’ve only done 80 of them: 20 were done in a relic three-color sunburst with a maple fingerboard; 20 in a relic three-color sunburst with rosewood fingerboard; 20 in a relic sonic blue color with maple fingerboard; and the final twenty were made in relic sonic blue with a rosewood fingerboard. Read more


The Fender Custom Shop has created an awesome relic guitar as a way of celebrating the 40th anniversary of West L.A. Music.  west-la-music-40th-anniversary-ultimate-vintage-stratocasterThis West L.A. Music 40th Anniversary Ultimate Vintage Stratocaster perfectly captures the ultimate vintage Stratocaster model used in the 1960s.  This limited edition was created in Corona, California, and they’re incredibly collectable because only 40 were made.

If you want a great tone, you’ll get it with this Strat.  Fender has taken the best parts of several vintage Stratocasters and merged them into this ultimate vintage guitar.  In some ways, it’s very similar to the Stratocaster used by Eric Clapton.  That strat, called Blackie, is quite the legend now.

The West L.A. Anniversary Strat begins with a Stratocaster Contour Body from 1957.  This body includes a one-ply pickguard done in the style of the 50s.  It’s adorned with several different decals, including a 1962 Fender logo.  The C-shape neck is designed after those found in 1962 models.  It’s a bit thicker than the 1950s neck, and it features 6105 Medium Jumbo frets, a 9.5 degree radius, and can feature either a maple or rosewood fingerboard.

A custom 1969 pickup has been added to the neck, giving this guitar a bit more bite.  A 60’s custom provides middle position pickup, while a Fat 50’s custom gives the bridge pickup some punch.  The Strat also includes a 5-way pickup selector switch that makes it quick and easy to go from those classic blues tones to rock or country.