Description
Desert Sand is one of those finishes that immediately brings you back to the earliest days of the Stratocaster. It feels honest, understated, and deeply rooted in the birth of the solidbody electric guitar. This Fender Custom Shop 50s Stratocaster Super Aged Relic captures that mid decade energy with vintage accuracy and a naturally worn in feel that makes it resonate before you even plug it in.
Part of the 2026 Collection, this limited '50s Strat features a two piece off center seam alder body that has been sorted for light weight. Finished in nitrocellulose lacquer and treated to a Super Aged Relic package, it looks and feels like a guitar that has spent decades on stages and in studios. The alder construction delivers classic Strat balance; clear, ringing highs, focused mids, and a tight low end that works beautifully for blues, early rock, country, and roots driven styles.
The quarter sawn maple neck carries a substantial but comfortable '56 Off Center V carve. Measuring .820 at the first fret and .890 at the twelfth, it has a confident grip that encourages vintage thumb over playing without feeling oversized. The 9.5 inch radius paired with narrow tall 6105 frets gives you the familiar feel of a 50s Strat with the added freedom to bend cleanly and effortlessly. Light fret ghosting enhances the broken in character without sacrificing playability.
Electronics are anchored by a trio of hand wound '56 Strat pickups built with Alnico 5 magnets. This is the recipe for articulate attack, shimmering top end, and a firm low end response. Clean tones are glassy and dimensional. With gain, the bridge pickup cuts with authority while the neck remains round and expressive. The vintage mod control assembly with solid shaft pots offers smooth, predictable taper, and the 5 way CRL lever switch expands tonal flexibility while staying true to the era.
Hardware includes a relic Strat tremolo assembly, chrome and nickel aged plating, vintage style tuners with white buttons, and a bone nut for reliable tuning stability and accurate intonation. The custom '56 style pickguard and gold anodized trem cover complement the soft, earthy Desert Sand finish perfectly, reinforcing the early Strat aesthetic from every angle.
At Cream City Music, we appreciate when a Custom Shop build feels cohesive from top to bottom. This Super Aged Desert Sand Strat delivers the resonance, neck carve, and Alnico 5 driven clarity that players expect from a properly executed '56 inspired build. It looks seasoned, feels alive, and responds dynamically to every nuance of your touch.
Specifications:
- Body Material: 2-Piece Off-Center Alder; Sorted for Light Weight
- Body Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer; Super Aged Relic; Desert Sand
- Body Shape: Stratocaster
- Neck Material: Quarter Sawn Maple (5/4)
- Neck Shape: '56 Off Center V
- Neck Finish: Medium Tint Nitrocellulose Lacquer
- Fingerboard Radius: 9.50"
- Neck Thickness: .820" at 1st Fret; .890" at 12th Fret
- Nut Material: Bone
- Nut Width: 1.650"
- Number of Frets: 21
- Fret Size: Narrow Tall 6105
- Position Inlays: Micarta Black Face Dots; Micarta Black Side Dots
- Tuning Machines: Vintage-Style with Fender Logo; White Buttons
- Bridge: Relic Strat Tremolo Assembly
- Hardware Finish: Chrome/Nickel Relic
- Neck Plate: Vintage R Series Relic
- Pickguard: Custom '56 Strat Style
- Control Knobs: 58 Tele Aluminum Knurled Relic
- Switch Tip: Parchment Relic
- Tremolo Arm: Relic Strat Tremolo Arm; Parchment Tip
- Pickups: Hand-Wound '56 Strat Single-Coils; Alnico 5 Magnets
- Pickup Configuration: SSS
- Controls: Master Volume; Tone 1; Tone 2
- Switching: 5-Way CRL Lever
- Orientation: Right-Hand
- Case Included: Fender Custom Shop Tweed Strat/Tele Case; Certificate of Authenticity
Sku: 9235700196
Part of the 2026 Collection, this limited '50s Strat features a two piece off center seam alder body that has been sorted for light weight. Finished in nitrocellulose lacquer and treated to a Super Aged Relic package, it looks and feels like a guitar that has spent decades on stages and in studios. The alder construction delivers classic Strat balance; clear, ringing highs, focused mids, and a tight low end that works beautifully for blues, early rock, country, and roots driven styles.
The quarter sawn maple neck carries a substantial but comfortable '56 Off Center V carve. Measuring .820 at the first fret and .890 at the twelfth, it has a confident grip that encourages vintage thumb over playing without feeling oversized. The 9.5 inch radius paired with narrow tall 6105 frets gives you the familiar feel of a 50s Strat with the added freedom to bend cleanly and effortlessly. Light fret ghosting enhances the broken in character without sacrificing playability.
Electronics are anchored by a trio of hand wound '56 Strat pickups built with Alnico 5 magnets. This is the recipe for articulate attack, shimmering top end, and a firm low end response. Clean tones are glassy and dimensional. With gain, the bridge pickup cuts with authority while the neck remains round and expressive. The vintage mod control assembly with solid shaft pots offers smooth, predictable taper, and the 5 way CRL lever switch expands tonal flexibility while staying true to the era.
Hardware includes a relic Strat tremolo assembly, chrome and nickel aged plating, vintage style tuners with white buttons, and a bone nut for reliable tuning stability and accurate intonation. The custom '56 style pickguard and gold anodized trem cover complement the soft, earthy Desert Sand finish perfectly, reinforcing the early Strat aesthetic from every angle.
At Cream City Music, we appreciate when a Custom Shop build feels cohesive from top to bottom. This Super Aged Desert Sand Strat delivers the resonance, neck carve, and Alnico 5 driven clarity that players expect from a properly executed '56 inspired build. It looks seasoned, feels alive, and responds dynamically to every nuance of your touch.
Specifications:
- Body Material: 2-Piece Off-Center Alder; Sorted for Light Weight
- Body Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer; Super Aged Relic; Desert Sand
- Body Shape: Stratocaster
- Neck Material: Quarter Sawn Maple (5/4)
- Neck Shape: '56 Off Center V
- Neck Finish: Medium Tint Nitrocellulose Lacquer
- Fingerboard Radius: 9.50"
- Neck Thickness: .820" at 1st Fret; .890" at 12th Fret
- Nut Material: Bone
- Nut Width: 1.650"
- Number of Frets: 21
- Fret Size: Narrow Tall 6105
- Position Inlays: Micarta Black Face Dots; Micarta Black Side Dots
- Tuning Machines: Vintage-Style with Fender Logo; White Buttons
- Bridge: Relic Strat Tremolo Assembly
- Hardware Finish: Chrome/Nickel Relic
- Neck Plate: Vintage R Series Relic
- Pickguard: Custom '56 Strat Style
- Control Knobs: 58 Tele Aluminum Knurled Relic
- Switch Tip: Parchment Relic
- Tremolo Arm: Relic Strat Tremolo Arm; Parchment Tip
- Pickups: Hand-Wound '56 Strat Single-Coils; Alnico 5 Magnets
- Pickup Configuration: SSS
- Controls: Master Volume; Tone 1; Tone 2
- Switching: 5-Way CRL Lever
- Orientation: Right-Hand
- Case Included: Fender Custom Shop Tweed Strat/Tele Case; Certificate of Authenticity
Sku: 9235700196
