This Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt 63 Stratocaster Relic by Dennis Galuszka in Shell Pink weighs 7 lbs 7 oz. This brand new electric guitar comes with its original hardshell case, certificate of authenticity, and it's full manufacturer's warranty.
Years ago, Masterbuilder John Cruz concocted his Master Design Strat and it instantly became one of our favorite models. From the Special Pickups and Wiring to the brass tremolo block, to the 12" fingerboard radius, there was something to enjoy everywhere. We've gone on to have all the Masterbuilders build this guitar for us over the last decade or so. We usually get 2 or 3 a year and they usually don't last long!
Dennis Galuszka built this one and it's a fine specimen, indeed! The Shell Pink nitro finish features less drastic wear and tear so the finish is more intact than you'll see on some heavy relics. However, the aging that is present is beautiful! The Shell Pink finish has a beautiful patina over it that darkens the finish perfectly. A darker than average mint green 3-ply pickguard ties the look together perfectly.
The neck is made from quartersawn Maple and carved to a Large C Profile. It measures .875" deep at the 1st fret and .950 deep at the 12th. It's a full feeling neck for a Strat, which would likely satisfy the Tele player who prefers a large profile. Nut width measures 1.65" and scale length comes in at 25.5".
The pickups in this Strat are the John Cruz Spec Master Design Single Coil Set. This is an underwound pickup with an overall bright sound. We compared them directly to a Galuszka we have with Handwound 60s spec, and these are lower output, brighter, and really deliver the quack without it sounding like a cocked wah pedal. This Strat will cut through the mix without a lot of effects or tweaking thanks to its brighter than warmer tone when plugged in. However, these pickups do sound marvelous through effects.
Brass is a very musical metal. Hence why they make bells out of it. It has a rich harmonic sweetness so it makes sense that it would serve well as the tremolo block for a Strat. What's a tremolo block, you ask? Under the bridge (not downtown) there is a rectangular piece of metal that you feed the strings through. If you tilt a Strat forward and look through the backplate, you can see the metal bar with 6 holes in it, that's a trem block. They are most often made of steel or zinc. There is just something about the way these brass blocks warm things up that is hard not to appreciate!