Showroom Spotlight | Fender Custom Shop 59 Strat Heavy Relic 3 Tone Sunburst

Every now and then a guitar arrives that stops everyone in the showroom for a moment. This Fender Custom Shop 59 Strat in Heavy Relic 3 Tone Sunburst is one of those guitars. It has that classic Stratocaster attitude, but with a relic pattern that looks so natural and convincing that it could have come straight from the hands of a touring player. When we first opened the case, the guitar instantly reminded us of the wear and character you see on John Frusciante’s well loved instruments. It has that same lived in feel that makes a guitar look like it has already earned its place on a stage.

The Alder body is lightweight and features a super thin nitro finish which allows the guitar to resonate freely, giving the notes a lively and open quality. The sunburst itself has depth and character and suits the ageing perfectly. Nothing about the finish feels exaggerated. It simply looks like a guitar that has been played and enjoyed for a long time, which is exactly what makes the heavy relic approach so appealing!

A riftsawn Maple neck brings a smooth and familiar feel, while the AAA grade Rosewood fingerboard adds warmth and a rich colour. Players will appreciate how naturally the 59 Esquire C profile sits in the hand. Combined with a 9.5 inch radius and jumbo frets, the neck supports fluid bends, clean chord shapes and expressive lead lines with ease. It feels solid, dependable and ready for the kind of playing that a Strat of this style invites.

Josefina handwound 59 Strat pickups take the experience even further. Her coils deliver a blend of sweetness, clarity and dynamic response that gives this guitar a really distinctive tone. Clean tones ring with clear top end detail, while driven sounds hold their definition and never become muddy. Every pickup reacts sensitively to playing dynamics, showing the kind of character that has made Josefina’s work so sought after.

This stunning example is available now here at Peach Guitars in Colchester. If you want to experience a Stratocaster with real personality, inspiring tone and a remarkably authentic look, this one is well worth spending some time with.