This Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt 63 Stratocaster Relic by Paul Waller in ULtra Faded Sonic Blue weighs in at a mere 6 lbs 14 oz! For real, call in now as this one might be gone before you finish reading the description! Jokes, aside, this guitar is Paul Waller's take on the John Cruz Master Design Strat. We loved that guitar but also love what the other builders bring to the table, so we've ordered the same model from all the Masterbuilders! This and another Paul Waller arrive in tandem, our 1st two from him. We have seen this model now from most of the builders now and each has put their own spin on it.
The body is made from Alder, a transparent sounding but punchy and present tonewood most often associated with the Stratocaster after 1957. The body is finished in Sonic Blue, a true classic Fender color. The body has been treated to a lighter than average relic job but extra attention to the Patina and this guitar looks and feels like a vintage guitar. This is the lightest Strat in the building at just 6 lbs 14 oz. Strats under 7 lbs show up maybe a few times a year if we are lucky.
The neck is made from quarter-sawn Maple and is carved to a Large C Profile. Measuring in at .875" depth at the 1st fret and .950". at the 12th, this is a chunky neck for a Strat. The fingerboard radius is 12" which is fairly flat for any Fender. The 1st Eric Johnson Strat exposed me to a 12" radius and I have been hooked ever since. An AAA-rated piece of East Indian rosewood was selected for the fingerboard and it comes loaded with 21 x 6100 Frets installed. 1.650" nut width puts the strings in their familiar place and 25.5" scale length keeps the strings sounding snappy and feeling taut.
The electronics are a set of Master Design Spec Single Coil pickups that are hand-wound. These wonderful pickups carry a lower output so they interact beautifully with tube amps and pedals. A Master Volume, and 2 Tone controls, are paired with a 5-way pickup selector switch that grants access to all the quintessential tones.
One thing I love mentioning about this build that easily goes unnoticed is the Brass Tremolo Block. This simple switch in materials adds a more bell-like sweetness to the top-end, softening the highs and making the guitar less harsh. The Brass Block also aids in adding sustain. It also, unfortunately, adds a few ounces to the weight of the guitar. Trust me, it's WELL worth it!
The Music Gallery has been a Fender Custom Shop dealer since it's formation in 1987. We keep a bevy of Fender Custom Shop instruments in stock at all times. Whether you're looking for a Stratocaster, Telecaster, Precision Bass, Jazz Basses, Jaguar, or Jazzmaster, we can help you design or find the special instrument you're looking for!
