Description
The Fender Custom Shop 1969 Stratocaster Journeyman Relic in Faded Vintage Blonde is a time machine built for players who want more than just vintage looks; they want the unmistakable sound and soul of a late-'60s Strat. Part of the revered Time Machine Series, this guitar is for the serious Strat aficionado-the kind of player who knows that the magic is in the details, and that "feel" is everything.
With its two-piece select alder body and worn-in nitrocellulose finish, this Strat nails the lightly aged aesthetic. The Journeyman Relic treatment delivers just the right amount of playwear; it looks and feels like a well-kept original that's seen its share of gigs without being beaten to the ground. The plain-grain maple neck is carved into a chunky 1969 "U" profile that fills the hand and offers a rock-solid platform for rhythm and lead work alike. The rosewood fingerboard adds warmth to the tone while the 9.5" radius and vintage-spec Jescar frets keep things smooth and responsive under your fingers.
Under the hood, you'll find a trio of Custom Shop Hand-Wound '69 pickups, voiced for glassy highs, scooped mids, and articulate low end. The RWRP middle pickup eliminates hum in positions 2 and 4, while the hot-wound bridge pickup delivers a bit more snap and grit. The real gem here is the Fat '50s wiring with a 1/2 blender control, giving you the ability to subtly mix the neck pickup into positions 1 and 2 for a wider tonal range than your typical Strat. It's classic Strat tone with a twist-sweet, chimey, and endlessly expressive.
Playability is dialed in for modern comfort with vintage flavor. The rosewood board is smooth and fast, while the 9.5" radius lets you dig into bends without fretting out. The vintage synchronized tremolo keeps the vibe authentic and the nickel/chrome hardware looks the part while offering excellent tuning stability thanks to the vintage-style "F" tuners and bone nut.
Aesthetically, this one checks all the right boxes. The oversized '60s headstock, parchment plastics, and faded blonde finish give it that unmistakable late-'60s stage presence. It's elegant, bold, and built to stand out under the lights-or just hanging on the wall waiting for the next session.
At Cream City Music, we love guitars that deliver vibe without compromise. The 1969 Stratocaster Journeyman Relic is the kind of instrument that inspires you to play just a little longer, stretch your ideas a little further, and chase down every last ounce of tone. It's a Custom Shop Strat with true vintage character, and it's ready for the spotlight.
Specifications:
- Color: Faded Vintage Blonde
- Body Shape: Stratocaster
- Body Material: 2-Piece Select Alder with Offset Seam
- Body Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
- Neck Material: Plain-Grain Maple
- Neck Shape: 1969 "U"
- Scale Length: 25.5" (64.77 cm)
- Fingerboard Radius: 9.5" (241 mm)
- Number of Frets: 21
- Fret Size: Jescar Vintage (45085)
- String Nut: Bone
- Nut Width: 1.650" (42 mm)
- Headstock: Stratocaster Large
- Neck Plate: 4-Bolt with Custom Shop "V" Logo, Serialized
- Neck Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
- Fingerboard: Round-Laminated Rosewood
- Position Inlays: Mother of Pearl Dot - 7 mm
- Bridge Pickup: Custom Shop Hand-Wound '69 Single-Coil Strat
- Middle Pickup: Custom Shop Hand-Wound RWRP '69 Single-Coil Strat
- Neck Pickup: Custom Shop Hand-Wound '69 Single-Coil Strat
- Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone, 1/2 Blend
- Pickup Switching: 5-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge with Neck Blend, Position 2. Bridge and Middle with Neck Blend, Position 3. Middle, Position 4. Neck and Middle, Position 5. Neck
- Pickup Configuration: SSS
- Bridge: Custom Shop Vintage Synchronized Tremolo
- Tuning Machines: Fender/Schaller Vintage "F" Style
- Orientation: Right-Hand
- Hardware Finish: Nickel/Chrome
- Pickguard: 3-Ply Parchment
- Control Knobs: Parchment Plastic
- Switch Tips: Parchment
- Strings: Nickel Plated Steel (.010-.046 Gauges)
- Included Accessories: Deluxe Hardshell Case, Strap and Certificate of Authenticity
Sku: 9235700044
