What is a 'Relic Closet' finish?

The Relic Closet, often called a Closet Classic, simulates a guitar that was purchased decades ago but mostly kept in its case. It features finish checking and aged hardware without the heavy scrapes or wood damage found on standard Relic models.

What is the typical price for this model?

The Fender Custom Shop '56 Stratocaster Relic Closet is typically priced at approximately £3,499 in the UK market.

What pickups are used in this Stratocaster?

It features a trio of custom-wound pickups specifically designed to evoke fat, vintage 1950s tones with a high degree of clarity and character.

Is this guitar a vintage original or a new instrument?

It is a brand new instrument manufactured by the Fender Custom Shop. It is designed to look and feel like a vintage 1956 model through artificial aging processes.

What is the finish colour of this specific model?

This specific model features a 2-Color Sunburst finish, which is period-accurate for the mid-1950s.

How does it compare to the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster?

The '56 Relic Closet is a Custom Shop instrument with vintage-specific features and aging, whereas the American Professional II is a modern production guitar with contemporary hardware and a clean finish.

Is the '56 Relic Closet suitable for modern high-gain music?

While it can be used for many genres, it is voiced for 'fat vintage tones.' Players seeking modern high-gain sounds might prefer a humbucker-equipped model like the Jim Root Telecaster.

Does the guitar come with modern electronics?

The electronics are designed to be period-correct in tone but are manufactured with modern reliability. They are custom-wound to replicate the specific output of 1956 components.

What makes the 1956 year significant for the Stratocaster?

1956 was a transitional year where Fender refined the Stratocaster's neck profiles and wood selections, moving toward the classic mid-fifties aesthetic that collectors highly prize.

How does the finish feel compared to a standard new guitar?

The nitrocellulose lacquer and Closet Classic aging give it a thinner, more worn-in feel that is less 'sticky' than the polyurethane finishes found on standard modern guitars.

What is the difference between this and a Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s?

The Stratocaster uses single-coil pickups and a bolt-on neck construction for a brighter, snappier sound, whereas the Les Paul uses humbuckers or P90s with a set-neck for a thicker, warmer tone.

Is this guitar suitable for beginners?

While anyone can play it, its high price point (£3,499) and specific vintage features usually make it a choice for professional musicians and serious collectors rather than students.

Gear article

Fender Custom Shop '56 Stratocaster Relic Closet

The Fender Custom Shop '56 Stratocaster Relic Closet is a premium electric guitar designed to replicate the specific feel and aesthetic of a 1956 instrument that has spent decades primarily in storage. It combines period-correct vintage specifications with a 'Closet Classic' finish, providing players with the character of a mid-fifties Stratocaster without the physical wear associated with heavy relicing.

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Overview and History

The Fender Custom Shop '56 Stratocaster Relic Closet represents a meticulous effort to return the Stratocaster to its foundational roots. Introduced during a pivotal era for the model, the 1956 specifications are highly regarded by collectors for their transition from the earlier '54 designs toward the refined features of the late fifties. This Custom Shop iteration focuses on 'holding history in your hands' by utilizing the 'Closet Classic' aging process. Unlike heavier relic finishes that simulate decades of stage abuse, this model exhibits the look of a guitar that has mostly sat on display or remained in a case, showing only light finish checking and dulled hardware rather than significant wood damage.

Design and Construction

This model is distinguished by its period-correct touches and high-end craftsmanship. As a Custom Shop instrument, it is built with premium tonewoods and hardware designed to mimic the 1956 production era. The finish is a 2-Color Sunburst, executed with a nitrocellulose lacquer that allows the wood to breathe and age naturally. The guitar is brand new, yet its artistry suggests a 'vintage' life, providing a timeless feel that avoids the physical drawbacks of an actual 60-year-old instrument, such as compromised fretwork or damaged electronics.

Electronics and Sound

At the heart of the '56 Relic Closet are a trio of custom-wound pickups. These electronics are engineered to evoke 'fat vintage tones,' providing the clarity and chime associated with early single-coil designs but with enough thickness to suit modern amplification. The sonic character is described as intoxicating and heritage-focused, intended to feed the inspiration of players looking for the specific 'quack' and resonance of a 1950s Fender.

Market Position and Comparisons

Positioned at a professional price point of approximately £3,499, this guitar occupies the premium tier of the Fender catalogue. Compared to more accessible models like the American Professional II Stratocaster, the '56 Relic Closet offers a more specialised vintage experience. It differs from artist models like the Eric Clapton Stratocaster or Jim Root Telecaster by prioritising historical accuracy over modern performance modifications. While it shares the high-end pedigree of models like the Custom Shop '61 Telecaster, the '56 Stratocaster provides the specific ergonomic feel and tonal palette unique to mid-fifties Stratocaster designs.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a 'Relic Closet' finish?: The Relic Closet, often called a Closet Classic, simulates a guitar that was purchased decades ago but mostly kept in its case. It features finish checking and aged hardware without the heavy scrapes or wood damage found on standard Relic models.
What is the typical price for this model?: The Fender Custom Shop '56 Stratocaster Relic Closet is typically priced at approximately £3,499 in the UK market.
What pickups are used in this Stratocaster?: It features a trio of custom-wound pickups specifically designed to evoke fat, vintage 1950s tones with a high degree of clarity and character.
Is this guitar a vintage original or a new instrument?: It is a brand new instrument manufactured by the Fender Custom Shop. It is designed to look and feel like a vintage 1956 model through artificial aging processes.
What is the finish colour of this specific model?: This specific model features a 2-Color Sunburst finish, which is period-accurate for the mid-1950s.
How does it compare to the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster?: The '56 Relic Closet is a Custom Shop instrument with vintage-specific features and aging, whereas the American Professional II is a modern production guitar with contemporary hardware and a clean finish.
Is the '56 Relic Closet suitable for modern high-gain music?: While it can be used for many genres, it is voiced for 'fat vintage tones.' Players seeking modern high-gain sounds might prefer a humbucker-equipped model like the Jim Root Telecaster.
Does the guitar come with modern electronics?: The electronics are designed to be period-correct in tone but are manufactured with modern reliability. They are custom-wound to replicate the specific output of 1956 components.
What makes the 1956 year significant for the Stratocaster?: 1956 was a transitional year where Fender refined the Stratocaster's neck profiles and wood selections, moving toward the classic mid-fifties aesthetic that collectors highly prize.
How does the finish feel compared to a standard new guitar?: The nitrocellulose lacquer and Closet Classic aging give it a thinner, more worn-in feel that is less 'sticky' than the polyurethane finishes found on standard modern guitars.
What is the difference between this and a Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s?: The Stratocaster uses single-coil pickups and a bolt-on neck construction for a brighter, snappier sound, whereas the Les Paul uses humbuckers or P90s with a set-neck for a thicker, warmer tone.
Is this guitar suitable for beginners?: While anyone can play it, its high price point (£3,499) and specific vintage features usually make it a choice for professional musicians and serious collectors rather than students.