Description
The Fender Custom Shop American Custom Stratocaster NOS in Crimson Burst takes a familiar Strat formula and elevates it with thoughtful modern refinements, premium materials, and a distinctly upscale visual identity. Built for players who want vintage Fender soul with enhanced playability and expanded tonal flexibility, this American Custom model feels like a Strat evolved without losing sight of what made the original so timeless.
The two-piece select ash body features an offset seam and a deep-contoured heel for improved upper fret access and overall comfort. Finished in a rich Crimson Burst over a visible ash grain pattern, the guitar strikes a balance between classic elegance and modern Custom Shop flair. Unlike a relic model, the NOS treatment keeps the finish clean and glossy, allowing the figured ash and deep red burst to take center stage without artificial wear. The black phenolic pickguard adds a sharp contrast that gives the entire guitar a more aggressive, boutique-inspired look.
Tonally, this Strat delivers exceptional clarity and dynamic response thanks to a trio of Custom Shop hand-wound Underwound '69 pickups. These pickups capture the airy sparkle, scooped mids, and articulate attack associated with late-'60s Strat tones, but with a slightly lower output that opens up even more touch sensitivity and harmonic detail. Clean sounds feel expansive and glassy, while overdriven tones retain note definition and chime without becoming compressed. The addition of the 1/2 blend control expands the traditional Strat palette even further, allowing players to blend the neck pickup into bridge and bridge/middle positions for thicker, more complex tones that are not typically available on a standard Stratocaster.
The roasted 3A flame maple neck is carved to a comfortable '65 Strat C profile and finished in nitrocellulose lacquer for a smooth, natural feel. Paired with a premium 3A rosewood fingerboard, compound 9.5 to 12 inch radius, and 22 medium jumbo stainless steel frets, the neck delivers an effortless playing experience that feels modern without sacrificing Fender character. Stainless frets add durability and a slick response under the fingers, while the roasted maple construction contributes additional stability and resonance.
Hardware appointments continue the premium approach, including the RSD Strat tremolo with vintage-style steel saddles, vintage-style tuners, and a contoured neck plate. Every detail feels carefully considered, balancing aesthetics, comfort, and performance into a cohesive whole.
At Cream City Music, we love how this American Custom Stratocaster pushes the Strat platform forward while still sounding and feeling unmistakably Fender. It is elegant, versatile, and incredibly responsive; a Custom Shop Strat built for players who want traditional inspiration paired with modern refinement.
Specifications:
- Body: 2-Piece Select Ash with Offset Seam
- Body Shape: Stratocaster
- Body Finish: WLS Undercoat, Crimson Burst NOS
- Neck Material: 3A Roasted Flame Maple
- Neck Shape: '65 Strat "C"
- Neck Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
- Fingerboard Material: 3A Rosewood
- Fingerboard Radius: 9.5" - 12" Compound Radius
- Scale Length: 25.5"
- Number of Frets: 22
- Fret Size: Medium Jumbo Stainless Steel (6150)
- Inlays: Mother of Pearl Dot (7 mm)
- Nut Material: Bone
- Nut Width: 1.650"
- Truss Rod: Early '60s Style
- Bridge: 6-Saddle RSD Stratocaster Tremolo with Vintage-Style Steel Saddles
- Tremolo Arm: RSD Strat Trem Arm
- Tuning Machines: Vintage-Style with Fender Logo
- Hardware Finish: Nickel/Chrome
- Pickguard: 1-Ply Black Phenolic
- Control Knobs: Aged White Plastic
- Switch Tip: Aged White
- String Tree: American Vintage '59-'64
- Neck Pickup: Custom Shop Hand-Wound Underwound '69 Single-Coil Strat
- Middle Pickup: Custom Shop Hand-Wound Underwound '69 Single-Coil Strat
- Bridge Pickup: Custom Shop Hand-Wound Underwound '69 Single-Coil Strat
- Pickup Configuration: SSS
- Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone, 1/2 Blend
- Switching: 5-Position Blade
- Potentiometers: 250K 10% Taper Split
- Strings: Nickel Plated Steel (.010-.046)
- Case: Deluxe Hardshell Case
Sku: 9235700260
