Fender Custom Shop 1962 Stratocaster Reverse Headstock Relic Charcoal Frost Metallic With Case

Ever since the Stratocaster debuted in 1954, it has evolved, even in the earliest days.  The Strat has continued to change over the years, but for many, stepping back to how it was done in the early 60's is the way to go.  The Fender Custom Shop excels at recreating the look, feel and sound of these guitars, often with special tweaks.  That's where we decided to go with this one.

This Custom Shop '62 Stratocaster testament to this, featuring a reverse headstock, a modern radius and fret size, and an otherwise all-tradition design.  This is combined with an ultra-cool aesthetic - the guitar is a Heavy Relic, in Charcoal Frost Metallic, with a Black Anodized pickguard.  If you're wondering, you've never seen a Strat like this before, because it's the only one to ever exist exactly like this.

The guitar has a two-piece select alder body that is really light, a rock solid quartersawn maple neck with a 60 Oval C neck shape, slab rosewood fretboard, and all of the correct vintage hardware.   We went with a 9.5 - 12.0" compound radius and Medium Jumbo (6150) frets for easy playing and bending - this is one of the most common and popular modifications to vintage-styled guitars out of the Custom Shop.  The compound radius makes it easy for both chording and shredding.  

Of course, the main calling card for this particular Strat is the reverse headstock.  Rarely seen, and often loved, it's a unique twist that we could resist on this one.

This guitar is loaded with a set of Custom Shop Fat 60's pickups.  They provide mellow vintage tones but with enough bite to cut through the mix with crisp articulation, and are over wound for a hefty low-end punch.  Alnico 2 magnets, Formvar magnet wire, period-correct cloth wire, and a fiber bobbin keep it accurate to what you would expect in a vintage Strat, with a warm, sweet output.  The reverse-wound, reverse-polarity middle pickup eliminates hum for whisper-quiet performance.  This guitar sounds downright amazing.