Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt Dennis Galuszka Zebrawood 1966 Stratocaster NOS Red Stain

Truetone Music is proud to have a long and close relationship with Fender, especially with the Custom Shop.  Every so often, we make a pilgrimage there to sit down with Masterbuilders to cook up a batch of amazing guitars.  Sometimes we go for vintage-styled recreations, sometimes we go for modernized tweaks.  Sometimes it's a classic color, sometimes it's a totally new color or even reclaimed wood.  No matter what, they always knock it out of the park!

This Zebrawood Stratocaster is a result of this partnership.  In a meeting with Masterbuilder Dennis Galuszka, we presented an idea: a recreation of a prototype guitar that Fender did back in the 1960's.  It was a unique one-off build, likely for a trade show, featuring a bound body and neck, with a Zebrawood top and back, as well as block inlays. 

It was an experimental time period (both at Fender, and the world in general), and some wild things came out of it.  Credit goes to Roger Rossmeisl and Philip Kubicki, who led the charge at Fender to get creative.  It was around this time when the Thinline Telecaster was being developed, as well as the Rosewood Telecaster (and Strat).  Within this burst of creativity, came the Zebrawood Strat.  While the original was semi-hollow, we chose to do this one as a tribute, not a full-on recreation.  Dennis was able to conjure up some very unique wood that we all knew we had to make use of.  The end result was stunning, and the only new one out there.

Zebrawood was used for the top and back of the body, which has an Alder center.  With a density comparable to walnut and mahogany, zebrawood is softer and not as resonant as maple or wenge, but still produces a rich, full sound with deep overtones.  It's balanced well with the Alder body.  Separating the woods is a parchment (white) binding, which really frames the body well.  It helps to show the Zebrawood, which has been treated with a Red Stain, creating a rich, striking visual.  

The Quartersawn Maple neck (untinted to keep it true) is topped by AAA Rosewood, tying it all together.  We chose the '66 Strat Oval C neck shape, partly because it's period accurate, but also because it's a comfortable vintage Fender neck shape.  We did add the modern playability touch of a 9.5" radius and 6150 (medium jumbo) frets, both of which are the most popular customizations.

At Galuszka's suggestion we went with Josefina Handwound '66 Strat pickups.  Partly to keep it true to the vintage spec, but also because these pickups sound amazing.  They are a true recreation of the original '66 Strat pickups with all of the clarity, definition and sparkle that you want out of a Strat, but with the warmth and roundness heard in the mid-60's Strats .  This is a mellow set, not super high output, and has a nice, even response across the tonal spectrum.  Alnico 5 magnets, vintage stagger and enamel wire provide the tone that players have fallen in love with for years. 

  

The guitar is rounded out with period correct vintage tuners, bridge, string tree, neck plate and other hardware.  To keep it true to the original look, we went with a 3-ply white pickguard - one that matches the binding, as well as the pickup covers and knobs.  It comes with a Custom Shop hardshell case, strap and Certificate of Authenticity.

A Masterbuilt instrument is like no other, and this is truly a one of a kind.  We specifically chose to work with Dennis on this guitar, as he's one of our favorite builders, especially for exotic wood builds - we feel that it's part of his specialty.  We've done a lot with him over the years, but this is the first (and only) Zebrawood Strat!   Come to Truetone Music to see it yourself, or order it right here right now.

 

• Part # 9216088303
• Serial # R135487
• Weight: 7.8 lbs
• Base Model: 1966 Strat ('67 Strat specs)
• Finish Package: NOS
• Color: Red Stain
• Finish: Nitro Lacquer
• Body: Zebrawood Top & Back; Alder Center
• Neck: Quartersawn Maple
• Binding: Parchment/white
• Fretboard: AAA Rosewood 
• Neck Shape: 66 Strat Oval C 
• Depth at 1st Fret: .840"
• Depth at 12th Fret: .974"
  
• 1.650" Nut Width; 2.200" Butt Width
• 9.50" radius
• Frets: Medium Jumbo (6150)
• White Pearloid Block Inlays
  
• Black Micarta Side Dots
• Bone Nut
• Decal: 64 - 67 Strat
• String Tree: American Vintage with Nylon Spacer
• Tuners: Vintage
• Bridge: Vintage Tremolo
• Chrome/Nickel Hardware
• Pickups: Custom Shop Josefina Handwound '66 Strat
• 5-way Switch
  
• Modern Wiring
• Pickguard: 63 - 76 Strat White/Black/White
  
• Back Plate: Strat Vintage White
• Neck Plate: Vintage with F Logo
• Custom Shop Hardshell case with Certificate of Authenticity and Strap