Fender Custom Shop '57 Stratocaster Sunburst 1996
Fender Custom Shop '57 Strat, two color sunburst, made in USA 1996. My my my, this might just be the spiffiest flame maple neck we've ever had through the neck. Fender's Custom Shop kicked off in 1987, so nine years later when this was made still counts as pretty early in the tale. At the time, CS was headed by John Page and employed only a handful of Fender's finest luthiers, some of whom are now the 'master builders' who's wares fetch a fortune today. This was also originally sold in Japan by Fender's then distributor Yamano, who ran an additional layer of quality control that was notoriously strict: it had to be exactly right, or it was going back to California. All that aside, how is it in the hands? Very, very good. The neck is the highlight, no doubt about it. It's a 50s style generous soft V shape, with a fair bit of meat in the back without being uncomfortable, and it's carved from some of the snazziest flame maple I've ever seen. It's arrow-straight with great frets despite the years elapsed, and it feels fantastic. The body is lightweight and carved from two pieces of alder joined in the centre, and it's so nicely done I thought it was a one piece until my third or fourth inspection. The natural resonance is immediate: it's so loud unplugged, and it has so much spank in the attack. The pickups are bright, clear, punchy and a little bit scooped. Play it softly, it sings sweetly with a gorgeous gooey low end warble and a smooth high end. Dig in hard, and its snappy and rigorous with a strong fundamental note and walloping attack. From across the room, this is a classic 'sleeper': it could be any sunburst Strat. But in the hands, it's an absolute monster and surely the only Strat you'll ever need.
Model: Fender Custom Shop '57 Stratocaster
Made: USA, Feb 1996, Corona Custom Shop
Serial: CN404091
Finish: two color sunburst, gloss nitro
Body: alder, two piece centre join
Neck: flame maple one piece inc fretboard, 25.5" scale, 9.5" radius, fat soft V shape
Weight: 3.545kg
Mods: none
Pickups: Fender CS Texas Special single coil x3
Accessories: original tweed hard case, certificate of authenticity, Yamano docs, extra springs
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has dimples on the end and treble side and some string winder scuffs on the bass side. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, very minor rub wear on the back only. The back has dimples on the top horn, surface scratches on the bottom horn, minor scuffs on the back edge and elbow area and some dimples around the trem cavity. The sides have scuffs on the top horn, scuffs and dimples in the elbow area and near the jack and some dimples on the bottom horn. The front has dimples around the jack and bridge, scuffs along the back edge and elbow area, a scratch on the top horn just up from the neck join and some play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: excellent condition (9/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.
Fret life: 7/10