Fender Custom Shop '58 Stratocaster Heavy Relic, Aged Desert Sand

Full Description

Vintage styling with Heavy Relic finish

One of the standout features of the Fender Custom Shop '58 Stratocaster is its Aged Desert Sand finish paired with a Heavy Relic treatment. This meticulous ageing process recreates decades of natural wear, giving the guitar the appearance and feel of a well-played original from the late 1950s. Every scratch, ding, and lacquer check has been purposefully crafted to provide the unmistakable vibe of a guitar that has seen countless gigs and studio sessions. Combined with a vintage-correct two-piece alder body and deep 57-style contours, it brings an authentic old-school character that's impossible to replicate straight from a factory floor. If you’re drawn to visual charm or the smooth feel of worn-in lacquer, this Stratocaster delivers vintage appeal right out of the case.

Exceptional tone from hand-wound Fat '50s pickups

At the heart of this guitar’s rich, vintage sound is a trio of hand-wound Fat '50s single-coil pickups, carefully crafted to replicate the iconic tones of early Stratocasters. These pickups are known for their round lows, clear highs, and that unmistakable bell-like chime that defined an era of music. By using period-accurate components and winding techniques, the Custom Shop has ensured these pickups remain dynamic and responsive under your fingertips. The calibrated neck, middle, and bridge pickups provide a balanced tonal palette with plenty of sparkle and warmth. Clean or overdriven, the Fat '50s pickups deliver a tonal experience that feels both familiar and inspiring. Traditional 5-way switching and period-correct controls complete the setup for versatile playability with vintage flair.

Premium neck for superior comfort and feel

The neck on this Stratocaster is built for seamless playability and stunning aesthetics, featuring a AA flame maple blank with a dark rosewood fretboard sorted for visual richness. It’s shaped into a comfortable '54 Soft V profile that fits snugly in the hand, providing excellent grip for both chord work and lead playing. The 9.5" fretboard radius offers a modern touch, allowing for smoother bends and lower action compared to vintage-correct specs, without losing the feel of a classic Strat. Narrow Tall 6105 frets add extra height for better note control, while the bone nut and Micarta dot inlays enhance both tone and appearance. This neck brings s late-'50s feel to your playing.

Vintage hardware with modern precision

Every hardware detail on this guitar has been thoughtfully chosen to reflect the golden age of Fender design. From the Custom Shop Vintage Stratocaster bridge to the period-correct tuning machines and engraved Limited Edition neck plate, each component is carefully relic’d to match the aged finish. The vintage-style tremolo includes relic’d saddles, bridge plate, and trem arm with a white tip, contributing to the cohesive, road-worn look. Despite the aged aesthetic, these parts are built to modern standards of reliability and function, ensuring tuning stability and precise response. Even subtle touches like the American Vintage string tree and light gold aluminium pickguard reinforce the premium quality and attention to detail that goes into every Custom Shop instrument.

Limited edition craftsmanship from the Fender Custom Shop

This guitar is a limited edition beauty straight of the industry leading tea at Fender's Custom Shop. Bearing the CPE23-15 Limited Edition decal and crafted to Custom Shop standards, it’s a high-spec Strat that celebrates the best of Fender heritage. Each model is built with a unique blend of historical accuracy and personalised detail, making it as individual as the music you’ll make with it. From the relic finish to the fret ghosting and meticulous setup, every inch of this guitar reflects the expertise of the builders behind it.

Specifications

• Product Name: Fender Custom Shop '58 Stratocaster Heavy Relic, Aged Desert Sand
• Product Code: 9238014470

Body

• Body Wood: 2-piece alder
• Body Style: 56 Strat
• Body Finish: Nitrocellulose lacquer, Heavy Relic
• Colour: Aged Desert Sand
• Body Contours: 57-style deep contours
• Pickguard: Strat aluminium, 8-hole, light gold, relic
• Bridge Routing: Vintage-style tremolo rear route
• Neck Pickup: Hand-Wound Strat Fat '50s NK REL
• Middle Pickup: Hand-Wound Strat Fat '50s MID REL
• Bridge Pickup: Hand-Wound Strat Fat '50s BRG REL
• Controls: Fat '50s-style Strat volume and tone controls
• Pickup Selector: 5-way CRL lever switch

Neck & Fretboard

• Neck Wood: AA flame maple
• Fretboard: Dark rosewood, sorted for colour
• Neck Shape: '54 Soft V
• Fretboard Radius: 9.5"
• Frets: 21 Narrow Tall / 6105
• Neck Finish: Dark tint nitrocellulose lacquer
• Nut Width: 1.650"
• Butt Width: 2.200"
• Fret Markers: Micarta black dot inlays (.250")
• Side Dots: Micarta black (3/32")
• Nut Material: Bone
• Neck Joint: 4-bolt
• Headstock: Small '58 style, no binding
• Decal: 1954–60 Strat with Limited Edition marking

Hardware & Electronics

• Bridge: Custom Shop Vintage Strat, relic
• Bridge Saddles: Vintage-style, relic
• Tuning Machines: Vintage with Fender logo, relic
• Neck Plate: Engraved Limited Edition, chrome, relic
• Back Plate: Light gold aluminium, relic
• Trem Arm: Vintage Strat style, white tip, relic
• Output Jack: Vintage Strat, relic
• String Tree: American Vintage '56–'58 relic
• Control Knobs: Aged white, small flat top, relic
• Switch Tip: White, relic
• Pots: 250K 10 taper, split shaft
• Strings: .010–.046
• Strap Locks: Not included