Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt Paul Waller 1961 Stratocaster Heavy Weathered Surf Green

Masterbuilt Paul Waller Heavy Weathered '61 Strat

This very unique 1961 Stratocaster is a result of this partnership.  In 2019, we met with Masterbuilder Paul Waller and came up with the idea for this guitar.  We specifically asked him what he had not done before, or in a long time, that he would want to do.  That was the genesis of this very special Strat.  Now, it has turned into a whole run of guitars - and this is the first we've done in the classic Surf Green color, which takes on a whole new life after the Heavy Weathered treatment.
  
The main feature and calling card of this guitar is the aesthetic and feel of the body, which was sandblasted.  This term means exactly what one would think - it's a finishing process that involves the use of a machine to spray abrasive particles under high pressure against a surface. It’s called “sandblasting” because it blasts the surface with particles of sand. As the sand particles strike the surface, they create a unique patina and texture to the wood.  Waller developed his process as he created this instrument.

The parts (bridge, pickguard, neckplate, etc.) were installed first, and the raw body was sandblasted.  That created the initial "weathering".  A second pass of sandblasting was then done, before applying a hand-rubbed oil finish as the last step.  Waller perfected this technique in a carefully controlled process to create the "heavy weathered" look & feel, which is similar to a Super Heavy Relic.  It's almost as if the guitar was played outdoors in a raging storm, night after night.  The result is amazing, and we were blown away when the guitar arrived.  
  
The neck was also given this treatment, best seen on the headstock, which matches the body perfectly.  The neck is rock solid quartersawn maple, with a hand-rubbed oil finish that ensures maximum comfort - it's one of the best feeling necks we've had in here.  It has a 60's Oval "C" shape, the most popular for Custom Shop guitars, topped with a AAA Rosewood fretboard that has a 9.5 radius and Narrow Tall (6105) frets.  This makes it easy to play, even up high on the neck when bending notes.
  
For the pickups, we went with the Handwound Master Design Bone Tone pickups.  They provide dynamic Strat tone with increased headroom and clarity when playing with overdrive, due to being slightly underwound.  They are a take on early 60's Strat pickups, with copper wiring and Alnico 5 magnets.   We felt they were the perfect match for this '61 Strat.  
 
We stayed period correct for the hardware, going with vintage tuners, bridge, etc.  This guitar has all of the mojo of a vintage instrument, with the twist coming with the pickups and of course the finish.  It comes with the original hardshell case, strap and Certificate of Authenticity.
  
Paul Waller is a Southern California native with woodworking in his blood. He built his first guitar at age 14 in his high school woodshop, and after graduating from the acclaimed Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery in 2000, joined Fender in 2003. He spent two years working closely with master arch-top craftsman Bob Benedetto, and became steeped in the many facets of building techniques from all the Custom Shop’s Master Builders. After an extensive seven-year apprenticeship, Waller became a Master Builder in 2010.  Since then, his work has become known all over the world, and is responsible for some of the most prestigious and recognizable guitars to come from Fender.  We've been fortunate enough to receive a few of them, including the famed 9-Neck guitar in 2018.  Not only are Waller's talents amazing, he is also a pleasure to work with, and we're always happy to partner with him on designing unique guitars like this Heavy Weather '61 Strat.
  
A Masterbuilt instrument is like no other, and this is truly a one of a kind.  Come to Club Fender at Truetone Music to experience it today, or make it yours right here. 

• Model# 9211003350
• Finish Package: Heavy Relic
• Finish: Sandblasted
• Color: Surf Green 
• Body: Alder, Sandblasted
• Neck: Quartersawn Maple
• Neck Finish: Oiled
• Neck Note: Relic, Dirty Neck
• Neck Shape: 60's Oval "C"
• Fretboard: AAA Rosewood
• Frets: 21
• Fretwire: 6105 Narrow Tall
• Radius: 9.5"
• Neck Nut Width: 1.650"
• Neck Thickness at 1st Fret:  .790"
• Neck Thickness at 12th Fret:  .930"
• Neck Butt Width: 2.200"
• Pickguard: 3-Ply Mint Green
• Neck Pickup: Handwound Master Design Bone Tone
• Middle Pickup:  Handwound Master Design Bone Tone
• Bridge Pickup:  Handwound Master Design Bone Tone
• Bone Nut
• Tuners: Vintage
• String Guide: Vintage
• Bridge: Vintage Synchronized Tremolo
• Neck Plate: Vintage
• Back Plate: White
• Switch: 5 Way
• Wiring: Standard
• Case: Custom Shop Brown