What is a 'Journeyman Relic' finish?

The Journeyman Relic finish is a Custom Shop treatment that simulates a guitar that has seen plenty of use over the years but has been well-maintained. It typically features light finish checking, slight hardware oxidation, and minor nicks without the heavy wood exposure seen on more distressed models.

What are the benefits of a 2-piece select ash body?

Ash is a premium tonewood known for its wide grain and musical resonance, providing clear highs and firm lows. The 'select' designation means the wood has been specifically chosen for its weight and grain pattern, while the offset seam provides a classic construction method used in the mid-50s.

What is the profile of the neck on this model?

This guitar features a 1-piece rift-sawn maple neck with a soft 'V' back-shape. This profile is thinner at the edges than a 'U' shape but maintains a comfortable fullness in the palm, which was common on Fender guitars produced in 1956.

What makes 'Tomatillo' pickups unique?

Tomatillo pickups are Custom Shop hand-wound units designed to produce a sweet, vintage-style tone. They are often described as having a slightly 'aged' character that replicates the mellowed output of original 1950s pickups while maintaining excellent clarity.

What does 'Rift Sawn' mean for the neck construction?

Rift-sawn refers to the way the wood is cut from the log, with the grain running vertically at a specific angle. This method is more wasteful than flat-sawing but results in a significantly more stable and rigid neck that is less prone to movement.

What is a 'Flash Coat' lacquer finish?

A flash coat lacquer is a very thin layer of nitrocellulose without the heavy buffing or thick undercoats found on modern guitars. This allow the wood to resonate more naturally and will wear more quickly, contributing to an authentic vintage feel.

How many frets does this Stratocaster have?

This model is equipped with 21 medium-vintage frets. This configuration maintains the traditional look and feel of a vintage Stratocaster while providing a slightly easier playing surface than the very thin wires used on original 1950s models.

Is this a limited edition model?

Yes, this guitar is part of a Limited Edition run from the Fender Custom Shop. These instruments are produced in smaller quantities than standard Custom Shop models and often feature specific hardware or finish combinations not found elsewhere.

How does the price compare to a standard American Professional II Stratocaster?

At approximately £3,799, this Custom Shop model is significantly more expensive than an American Professional II. The higher price reflects the hand-wound pickups, premium wood selection, custom neck carving, and the labor-intensive relicing process.

What bridge system is used on this guitar?

The guitar uses a vintage-style synchronized tremolo bridge. This hardware is designed to match the specifications of the original 1956 hardware, offering the classic vibrato feel and aesthetic of the era.

Why is the body seam described as 'offset'?

An offset seam means the two pieces of ash are joined at a location other than the exact center of the guitar. This is often done to ensure the bridge and pickups are mounted primarily in a single piece of wood, which some believe improves tonal consistency.

Who is the ideal player for this instrument?

This guitar is designed for professional musicians or collectors seeking the specific feel and sound of a 1950s Stratocaster without the reliability issues or extreme cost of a vintage original. It suits players who prefer a maple fingerboard and a 'V' shaped neck.

Gear article

Fender Custom Shop '56 Stratocaster Journeyman Relic Vintage Blonde #CZ571019

The Fender Custom Shop '56 Stratocaster Journeyman Relic is a limited-edition electric guitar that replicates the specifications and aesthetic of the mid-1950s era. Built with a two-piece select ash body and hand-wound Tomatillo pickups, this specific model (#CZ571019) features a flash coat lacquer finish designed to simulate decades of careful usage.

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Background and Design

The Fender Custom Shop '56 Stratocaster represents a high-end recreation of a pivotal year in the guitar's history. By 1956, the Stratocaster had transitioned from its initial 1954 design to include specific contours and a maple neck profile that players often find more comfortable. This limited-edition model utilizes a 2-piece select ash body with an offset seam, a construction technique that influences the resonance and structural integrity of the instrument.

The aesthetic is defined by the 'Journeyman Relic' finish. This specific treatment mimics a guitar that has been owned for decades and played frequently, showing light checking and dulled hardware, but lacks the heavy wear or exposed wood found in 'Heavy Relic' models.

Technical Specifications

The neck is constructed from a single piece of rift-sawn maple, a cut known for its superior stability and resistance to warping. It features a soft 'V' back-shape, a hallmark of the mid-50s era that provides a ergonomic grip for the thumb. The fingerboard is fitted with 21 medium-vintage frets, offering a balance between traditional vintage aesthetics and modern playability.

Electronics include a trio of Custom Shop hand-wound Tomatillo Stratocaster pickups. These are complemented by vintage-style hardware and a flash coat lacquer that allows the wood to breathe and vibrate more freely than standard modern polyurethane finishes.

Sonic Character

The combination of an ash body and maple neck typically results in a bright, punchy tone with a focused low-end response. The hand-wound Tomatillo pickups are voiced to provide a sweet, 'aged' sound that is less aggressive than some modern alternatives, offering the clarity and 'chime' associated with original 1950s single-coil instruments. This makes the guitar particularly responsive to player dynamics and volume pot adjustments.

Market Comparison

Within the Fender ecosystem, this model sits significantly above the American Professional II Stratocaster in terms of craftsmanship and material selection. While artist models like the Eric Clapton Stratocaster offer modern active electronics and specific artist tweaks, the '56 Journeyman Relic focuses on historical accuracy and hand-built quality. Compared to other Custom Shop offerings like the '61 Telecaster Relic, this Stratocaster provides the distinct three-pickup versatility and contoured body comfort inherent to the Strat design. It occupies a similar premium space to Gibson's Custom Shop output, such as the Les Paul Standard 50s P90, though with the distinct tonal clarity of a long-scale, bolt-on neck instrument.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a 'Journeyman Relic' finish?: The Journeyman Relic finish is a Custom Shop treatment that simulates a guitar that has seen plenty of use over the years but has been well-maintained. It typically features light finish checking, slight hardware oxidation, and minor nicks without the heavy wood exposure seen on more distressed models.
What are the benefits of a 2-piece select ash body?: Ash is a premium tonewood known for its wide grain and musical resonance, providing clear highs and firm lows. The 'select' designation means the wood has been specifically chosen for its weight and grain pattern, while the offset seam provides a classic construction method used in the mid-50s.
What is the profile of the neck on this model?: This guitar features a 1-piece rift-sawn maple neck with a soft 'V' back-shape. This profile is thinner at the edges than a 'U' shape but maintains a comfortable fullness in the palm, which was common on Fender guitars produced in 1956.
What makes 'Tomatillo' pickups unique?: Tomatillo pickups are Custom Shop hand-wound units designed to produce a sweet, vintage-style tone. They are often described as having a slightly 'aged' character that replicates the mellowed output of original 1950s pickups while maintaining excellent clarity.
What does 'Rift Sawn' mean for the neck construction?: Rift-sawn refers to the way the wood is cut from the log, with the grain running vertically at a specific angle. This method is more wasteful than flat-sawing but results in a significantly more stable and rigid neck that is less prone to movement.
What is a 'Flash Coat' lacquer finish?: A flash coat lacquer is a very thin layer of nitrocellulose without the heavy buffing or thick undercoats found on modern guitars. This allow the wood to resonate more naturally and will wear more quickly, contributing to an authentic vintage feel.
How many frets does this Stratocaster have?: This model is equipped with 21 medium-vintage frets. This configuration maintains the traditional look and feel of a vintage Stratocaster while providing a slightly easier playing surface than the very thin wires used on original 1950s models.
Is this a limited edition model?: Yes, this guitar is part of a Limited Edition run from the Fender Custom Shop. These instruments are produced in smaller quantities than standard Custom Shop models and often feature specific hardware or finish combinations not found elsewhere.
How does the price compare to a standard American Professional II Stratocaster?: At approximately £3,799, this Custom Shop model is significantly more expensive than an American Professional II. The higher price reflects the hand-wound pickups, premium wood selection, custom neck carving, and the labor-intensive relicing process.
What bridge system is used on this guitar?: The guitar uses a vintage-style synchronized tremolo bridge. This hardware is designed to match the specifications of the original 1956 hardware, offering the classic vibrato feel and aesthetic of the era.
Why is the body seam described as 'offset'?: An offset seam means the two pieces of ash are joined at a location other than the exact center of the guitar. This is often done to ensure the bridge and pickups are mounted primarily in a single piece of wood, which some believe improves tonal consistency.
Who is the ideal player for this instrument?: This guitar is designed for professional musicians or collectors seeking the specific feel and sound of a 1950s Stratocaster without the reliability issues or extreme cost of a vintage original. It suits players who prefer a maple fingerboard and a 'V' shaped neck.