What does 'Deluxe Closet Classic' mean?

It refers to a specific Custom Shop aging process that simulates a vintage guitar that was well-maintained and stored in its case. It features subtle finish checking and mild hardware tarnishing rather than heavy physical wear.

What is the body material of this 1965 Stratocaster?

The guitar is built using a lightweight two-piece alder body, which is a traditional tonewood known for its balanced frequency response and resonance.

Which pickups are installed in this model?

It is equipped with Custom Shop Fat '60s pickups, designed to provide a classic 1960s chime with added low-end punch and midrange presence.

What is the neck profile of the '65 Stratocaster?

It features a 1965 'C' profile, which offers a period-correct shape that is widely considered comfortable for various hand sizes and playing styles.

What type of finish is used on this guitar?

The guitar uses a nitrocellulose lacquer finish in Super Faded Aged Sonic Blue. This finish is thinner than modern alternatives, allowing the wood to vibrate more naturally.

Is the fingerboard rosewood or maple?

This specific 1965 recreation features a rosewood fingerboard, which was the standard specification for Stratocasters during that era.

What is the typical price range for this Custom Shop model?

The typical retail price for this specific Fender Custom Shop model is approximately £3,499 in the United Kingdom.

How does the sound compare to a 50s-style Stratocaster?

While '50s models often have a brighter, twangier sound, this '60s model with Fat '60s pickups tends to have a warmer, fuller midrange and a smoother high end.

Does this guitar have modern or vintage hardware?

It is fitted with vintage-style hardware to ensure an authentic feel and performance consistent with a guitar manufactured in 1965.

What is the weight characteristics of this model?

The manufacturer specifies the use of a lightweight two-piece alder body, which is intended to improve player comfort and enhance natural resonance.

Is this model suitable for professional use?

Yes, as a Fender Custom Shop instrument, it is built to the highest standards of craftsmanship, intended for professional performance, recording, and serious collectors.

How does the 'Super Faded' color differ from standard Sonic Blue?

The 'Super Faded' designation indicates that the Sonic Blue pigment has been treated to look like a vintage finish that has lightened and aged over decades of exposure.

Gear article

Fender Custom Shop 1965 Stratocaster DLX Closet Classic

The Fender Custom Shop 1965 Stratocaster DLX Closet Classic is a premium electric guitar that recreates the specific specifications and aesthetic of the mid-1960s golden era. It features a lightweight two-piece alder body finished in Super Faded Aged Sonic Blue with a nitrocellulose lacquer for vintage-accurate resonance and appearance.

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Background and Construction

The Fender Custom Shop 1965 Stratocaster represents a faithful tribute to the transition era of the Stratocaster. This specific model is constructed with a lightweight two-piece alder body, chosen for its balanced tonal properties and classic Fender character.

The instrument is finished in a 'Super Faded Aged Sonic Blue' nitrocellulose lacquer. Unlike modern poly finishes, this thin lacquer allows the wood to breathe and vibrate more freely. The 'Deluxe Closet Classic' treatment provides a specific level of aging, simulating a guitar that was purchased in the mid-60s, handled with care, and stored in a case, resulting in subtle checking and hardware oxidation without the heavy wear found on 'Relic' models.

Neck and Playability

The guitar features a 1965-style 'C' profile neck, which is historically accurate to the period. This profile offers a comfortable, slightly fuller feel compared to earlier '50s necks or modern slim profiles.

Key playability features include: * Rosewood fingerboard for a warm, smooth playing surface. * Vintage-style hardware to maintain tuning stability and period-correct aesthetics. * Hand-finished neck contours that provide a 'broken-in' feel straight from the Custom Shop.

Tonal Profile

At the heart of the instrument's sound is a set of Custom Shop Fat '60s pickups. These are designed to deliver the classic 'bell-like' chime associated with the 1960s. The 'Fat' designation refers to the pickups being slightly overwound, which provides a bit more low-end response and a punchier midrange compared to standard vintage pickups, while still retaining high-end clarity. This makes the guitar versatile for both clean, glassy tones and overdriven blues or rock textures.

Market Position and Comparisons

Occupying a premium price point of approximately £3,499, this model is positioned as a professional-grade instrument and a collector's piece. Within the Fender ecosystem, it sits above the American Professional II series, which uses modern features like roasted pine bodies, and offers a more specific vintage recreation than the standard Eric Clapton signature models.

Compared to alternative brands like Gibson, this Stratocaster offers the bright, percussive 'snap' of single-coil pickups and a bolt-on neck, contrasting with the warmer, thicker humbucker or P90 tones found in models like the Les Paul Standard 50s.

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Frequently asked questions

What does 'Deluxe Closet Classic' mean?: It refers to a specific Custom Shop aging process that simulates a vintage guitar that was well-maintained and stored in its case. It features subtle finish checking and mild hardware tarnishing rather than heavy physical wear.
What is the body material of this 1965 Stratocaster?: The guitar is built using a lightweight two-piece alder body, which is a traditional tonewood known for its balanced frequency response and resonance.
Which pickups are installed in this model?: It is equipped with Custom Shop Fat '60s pickups, designed to provide a classic 1960s chime with added low-end punch and midrange presence.
What is the neck profile of the '65 Stratocaster?: It features a 1965 'C' profile, which offers a period-correct shape that is widely considered comfortable for various hand sizes and playing styles.
What type of finish is used on this guitar?: The guitar uses a nitrocellulose lacquer finish in Super Faded Aged Sonic Blue. This finish is thinner than modern alternatives, allowing the wood to vibrate more naturally.
Is the fingerboard rosewood or maple?: This specific 1965 recreation features a rosewood fingerboard, which was the standard specification for Stratocasters during that era.
What is the typical price range for this Custom Shop model?: The typical retail price for this specific Fender Custom Shop model is approximately £3,499 in the United Kingdom.
How does the sound compare to a 50s-style Stratocaster?: While '50s models often have a brighter, twangier sound, this '60s model with Fat '60s pickups tends to have a warmer, fuller midrange and a smoother high end.
Does this guitar have modern or vintage hardware?: It is fitted with vintage-style hardware to ensure an authentic feel and performance consistent with a guitar manufactured in 1965.
What is the weight characteristics of this model?: The manufacturer specifies the use of a lightweight two-piece alder body, which is intended to improve player comfort and enhance natural resonance.
Is this model suitable for professional use?: Yes, as a Fender Custom Shop instrument, it is built to the highest standards of craftsmanship, intended for professional performance, recording, and serious collectors.
How does the 'Super Faded' color differ from standard Sonic Blue?: The 'Super Faded' designation indicates that the Sonic Blue pigment has been treated to look like a vintage finish that has lightened and aged over decades of exposure.