Fender Custom Shop Cunetto 1960 Stratocaster Relic 1998 Three Tone Sunburst. 9.8/10 Mint Used Condition. 7.1lb on our scales.

One of the most important things to happen over at the Fender Custom Shop was the birth of “Relic” instruments. These were brand new guitars that looked as though they had been played and used.

We have the pleasure to move on this beauty, an early (January) 1998 1960 Stratocaster Relic. Painted and aged by Vince Cunetto. The man who started the “Relic” movement over at the Fender Custom shop. This is #3236 of 4500 guitars made by the Custom Shop hand painted and aged by Cunetto (embossed “Custom Shop” stamp on peghead and “RELIC” in body) in the so called “Cunnetto Era” (1996-1998) the very start of the Custom Shop Relic guitar for Fender.

This particular guitar is in beautiful condition and has been played with the utmost care. It has no fretwear and is complete with its original case, owners manual, hang tags, ashtray bridge cover, leather strap, lead, tremolo arm, extra springs and the all important Custom Shop Certificate hand written and signed by John Page.

If you are still reading this, you know what this is. Something quite special in this condition and highly sought after amongst collectors and players alike. The beautiful yet subtle Relic work oozes quality. Not over the top and nicely detailed. The guitar features a beautiful highly flamed maple neck with a lovely tight grain Rosewood Slab fretboard. The neck features the slim 60s C profile we all know and love, really easy to play and super comfortable.

Plugged in the guitar sounds fantastic with its handwound ’60 pickups as you’d expect, this one can really do it all and is super versatile. The Custom Shop operation was a much smaller team of highly skilled luthiers back in 1998 allowing for much higher attention to detail during the build process. Every instrument from the Fender Custom Shop during this period was hand crafted and meticulously detailed – afterall the team wanted the “Relic” guitars to sell well.

Specs below:

Model Name: 1960 Stratocaster® Relic®, Rosewood Fingerboard.

Color: Sunburst

Body Shape: Stratocaster®
Body Material: 2-Piece Select Alder
Body Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer with “Relic” ageing, hand painted and aged by Vince Cunetto.

Neck Material: Quartersawn Highly Flamed Maple
Neck Shape: ’60 “C”
Scale Length: 25.5″ (648 mm)
Fingerboard Radius: 9.5″ (241 mm)
Number of Frets: 21

String Nut: Bone
Nut Width: 1.650″ (42 mm)
Headstock: Stratocaster
Neck Plate: 4-Bolt
Neck Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Fingerboard: Rosewood “Slab”
Position Inlays: White Dot

Bridge Pickup: Custom Shop Hand-Wound
Middle Pickup: Custom Shop Hand-Wound
Neck Pickup: Custom Shop Hand-Wound
Controls: Master Volume, Tone, Tone.
Pickup Switching: 5-Position Blade.
Pickup Configuration: SSS

Bridge: Custom Shop Vintage Synchronized Tremolo
Tuning Machines: Vintage-Style
Orientation: Right-Hand
Hardware Finish: Nickel/Chrome
Pickguard: 3-Ply Vintage White
Control Knobs: Vintage White
Switch Tips: Vintage White

Strings: Nickel Plated Steel (.010-.046 Gauges)
Included Accessories: Deluxe Hardshell Case, Strap, Owners Manuals, Certificate of Authenticity

Guitar will be well packed and sent with a fully insured the UPS.

Fore more historic information visit: fuzzfaced.net/fender-relic-cunetto-era