Fender Custom Shop 59 Strat - Journeyman Relic Sonic Blue

This is really exciting - a custom build that John designed specifically for Peach. The guitar is inspired by the Time Machine 1959 Stratocaster Journeyman Relic, a model from Fender's current Custom Shop lineup.

The Journeyman Relic style aims to capture a "used but not abused" aesthetic. It looks like a guitar that's been passed down or changed hands over the years, mostly played around the house, with the occasional jam session or weekend gig. It's well-maintained but shows some character with finish checking, a few "friendly" down-to-the-wood nicks and dings, dulled hardware, and moderate playing wear - a true lucky find.

This model features a two-piece select alder body and showcases classic late-decade details: a quartersawn maple neck with a '59-style 'D' back-shape and a flat-laminated rosewood fingerboard for optimal tone and playability. It comes equipped with hand-wound Custom Shop pickups, Vintage Modified #2 wiring, and Tone-Saver bleed circuitry, delivering a refined take on the highly sought-after tones of the golden era.

Additional features include a 9.5" radius, a 3-ply mint green pickguard, a Custom Shop vintage synchronised tremolo, vintage-style tuning machines, a bone nut, a wing string tree with a tall metal spacer, and it comes with a deluxe hardshell case, strap, and certificate of authenticity.

For this custom build, John made a few modifications: the fret material was changed from the standard 6105 to 6100, offering jumbo rather than tall and narrow frets. The pickups were swapped from Custom Shop Hand-Wound Fat '50s Strat to Hand-Wound '59 Strat pickups. The finish was also updated from 'Super Faded Aged Shell Pink' to 'Sonic Blue.'

And just look at the result - absolutely stunning! The mint pickguard, subtle relic work, aged hardware, and a fingerboard reminiscent of the Brazilian Rosewood on one of John's vintage Strats. This is truly one exceptional Stratocaster.