This used Fender Custom Shop Artisan Figured Rosewood Stratocaster is in great shape. Its neck is straight, the frets are still crowned, and the truss rod functions properly. We did not get the certificate of authenticity back with the guitar so we do not have it. We do have the original hardshell case, though.
Lord, Have Mercy! The figured rosewood top on this Artisan Stratocaster is truly a thing of beauty. With other tasty tonewoods like Roasted Mahogany from Fiji and African Blackwood in the mix, it's hard to comprehend a more beautiful looking guitar!
Let's start with the body. The back is made from Roasted Mahogany that was sourced from Fiji. This wood sports a beautiful dark amber hue and it's quite striking despite its more basic appearance than the Figured Rosewood used for the top! The Figured Rosewood top speaks for itself. Dark and alluring, it's hard not to have your eyes follow its many contrasting lines. Topped with an anodized Gold Pickguard, this is by far the classiest-looking Strat in the shop.
The neck is made from a single piece of Roasted Figured, Birdseye Maple. Roasting the wood not only offers increased stability but also tints the wood a bit. This one looks like a nice Medium-Roast which makes the figuring AND birdseye POP! And if you love Birdseye Maple but don't love its tendency to shift more than plain maple, roasting the wood greatly reduces the birdseye's sometimes wonky ways! The neck is topped with a mesmerizing piece of African Blackwood, a species similar to Ebony also called Grenadilloa or Mozambique Ebony. This is one of the hardest wood species in the world, perfect for a fingerboard! The board chosen for this guitar is exquisite. There really is no other word for it.
A set of Hand Wound 60/63 Stratocaster Pickups are factory installed and these pickups sound great in all positions. The bridge pickup has a focused and biting sound that is not inherently harsh or brash. Position 2 offers up great quack, a slight cocked-wah quality, and incredible glassiness. The middle position is perfectly balanced with just the right blend of fat and muscle. Position 4 is much like #2 but with the added beef of the neck pickup. While the neck pickup is round, hollow, fat, warm, and rich. This guitar is a joy to play, clean or dirty. Some guitars just have it... this is one of them!
