Master Design 1963 Relic Stratocaster (2014)
Custom Shop - Master Design Series, by John Cruz (2014 Custom Collection)
MODEL NUMBER
1551960803
BODY
Body Material: Lightweight Alder with Off-Center Seam
Body Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Shape: Stratocaster
NECK
Neck Material: Quartersawn Maple
Neck Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer (no back finish)
Neck Shape: Large "C"(.890" - .950")
Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
Fingerboard Material: Round-Laminated Rosewood, rolled edges
Fingerboard Radius: 12" (305 mm)
Number of Frets: 21
Fret Size: Jumbo
Nut Material:
Nut Width: 1.650" (42 mm)
Position Inlays: Clay Style Dot
Truss Rod:
Skunk Stripe:
Walnut Plug
Micro Tilt
HEADSTOCK
Type: Small
Logo: Spaghetti
Other Decals, front: "STRATOCASTER", "WITH SYNCHRONIZED TREMOLO", "PAT 2,573,254 2,741,146 2,960,900", "ORIGINAL Contour Body Pat. Pend."
Other Decals, back: Master Design Custom Shop V Logo "Fender"
ELECTRONICS
Bridge Pickup: Master Design Single-Coil Strat Pickup, staggered
Middle Pickup: Master Design Single-Coil Strat Pickup, staggered
Neck Pickup: Master Design Single-Coil Strat Pickup, staggered
Middle Pickup RWRP: Yes
Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone, Blend
Switching: 5-Position Blade
Configuration: SSS
HARDWARE
Bridge: 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo with Brass Block and Extra-Sturdy Larger-Diameter Trem Arm
Saddles: Vintage Style, "FENDER"/"PAT.PEND."
Tuning Machines: Vintage-Style with Fender Logo
String Tree: Wing
Hardware: Nickel/Chrome
Pickguard: 3-Ply Mint Green Nitrocellulose, 11 Holes (config. vintage)
Control Knobs: Aged White
Switch Tip: Aged White
Tremolo Arm Tip: Aged White
Pickup covers: Aged White
Neck Plate: 4-Bolt, "MASTER DESIGN", Serial
COLORS
(803) 2-Color Sunburst
ACCESSORIES
Special Master Design Center Pocket Black Case with Fender Amp Logo
Certificate of Authenticity
CruzTools Tool Kit
COMMENTS
Blend control offers the neck and bridge pickups together in positions one and five, and all three pickups together in positions two and four.
Some models had a "LIMITED EDITION" logo instead of "MASTER DESIGN" logo on neck plate, headstock and case.
Relic Finish. Shows natural wear and tear of years of heavy use, nicks, scratches, worn finish rusty hardware and aged plastic parts.
FENDER SAYS
The Fender Custom Shop Master Design 1963 Relic Stratocaster is meticulously designed by longtime Master Builder John Cruz to embody classic early-60s look and soul, with mods under the hood that deliver remarkable modern tonal versatility. Its special Master Design single-coil pickups provide greater output, more midrange and a sweeter tone for soloing, with a reverse-wound/reverse-polarity middle pickup for hum cancellation in positions two and four. Its custom wiring features five-way switching, master volume control, master tone control and a special blend control built into what would normally be the second tone knob. This blend control offers the neck and bridge pickups together in positions one and five, and all three pickups together in positions two and four.
The two-piece alder body has an off-center seam and a faded Two-color Sunburst nitrocellulose lacquer finish that Cruz says "shows signs of period-correct wear without really going over the top." Other premium features include a quartersawn maple neck with a larger "C"-shaped profile and no back finish (for a smooth, fast feel), 12"-radius round-laminated rosewood fingerboard with comfortably rolled edges and jumbo frets, three-ply mint green nitrocellulose pickguard, vintage-style synchronized tremolo bridge with brass block for more overall tonal liveliness, an extra-sturdy larger-diameter trem arm, and nickel/chrome hardware. Includes case, cable, strap, tool kit and certificate of authenticity.
1551960803
BODY
Body Material: Lightweight Alder with Off-Center Seam
Body Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Shape: Stratocaster
NECK
Neck Material: Quartersawn Maple
Neck Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer (no back finish)
Neck Shape: Large "C"(.890" - .950")
Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
Fingerboard Material: Round-Laminated Rosewood, rolled edges
Fingerboard Radius: 12" (305 mm)
Number of Frets: 21
Fret Size: Jumbo
Nut Material:
Nut Width: 1.650" (42 mm)
Position Inlays: Clay Style Dot
Truss Rod:
Skunk Stripe:
Walnut Plug
Micro Tilt
HEADSTOCK
Type: Small
Logo: Spaghetti
Other Decals, front: "STRATOCASTER", "WITH SYNCHRONIZED TREMOLO", "PAT 2,573,254 2,741,146 2,960,900", "ORIGINAL Contour Body Pat. Pend."
Other Decals, back: Master Design Custom Shop V Logo "Fender"
ELECTRONICS
Bridge Pickup: Master Design Single-Coil Strat Pickup, staggered
Middle Pickup: Master Design Single-Coil Strat Pickup, staggered
Neck Pickup: Master Design Single-Coil Strat Pickup, staggered
Middle Pickup RWRP: Yes
Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone, Blend
Switching: 5-Position Blade
Configuration: SSS
HARDWARE
Bridge: 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo with Brass Block and Extra-Sturdy Larger-Diameter Trem Arm
Saddles: Vintage Style, "FENDER"/"PAT.PEND."
Tuning Machines: Vintage-Style with Fender Logo
String Tree: Wing
Hardware: Nickel/Chrome
Pickguard: 3-Ply Mint Green Nitrocellulose, 11 Holes (config. vintage)
Control Knobs: Aged White
Switch Tip: Aged White
Tremolo Arm Tip: Aged White
Pickup covers: Aged White
Neck Plate: 4-Bolt, "MASTER DESIGN", Serial
COLORS
(803) 2-Color Sunburst
ACCESSORIES
Special Master Design Center Pocket Black Case with Fender Amp Logo
Certificate of Authenticity
CruzTools Tool Kit
COMMENTS
Blend control offers the neck and bridge pickups together in positions one and five, and all three pickups together in positions two and four.
Some models had a "LIMITED EDITION" logo instead of "MASTER DESIGN" logo on neck plate, headstock and case.
Relic Finish. Shows natural wear and tear of years of heavy use, nicks, scratches, worn finish rusty hardware and aged plastic parts.
FENDER SAYS
The Fender Custom Shop Master Design 1963 Relic Stratocaster is meticulously designed by longtime Master Builder John Cruz to embody classic early-60s look and soul, with mods under the hood that deliver remarkable modern tonal versatility. Its special Master Design single-coil pickups provide greater output, more midrange and a sweeter tone for soloing, with a reverse-wound/reverse-polarity middle pickup for hum cancellation in positions two and four. Its custom wiring features five-way switching, master volume control, master tone control and a special blend control built into what would normally be the second tone knob. This blend control offers the neck and bridge pickups together in positions one and five, and all three pickups together in positions two and four.
The two-piece alder body has an off-center seam and a faded Two-color Sunburst nitrocellulose lacquer finish that Cruz says "shows signs of period-correct wear without really going over the top." Other premium features include a quartersawn maple neck with a larger "C"-shaped profile and no back finish (for a smooth, fast feel), 12"-radius round-laminated rosewood fingerboard with comfortably rolled edges and jumbo frets, three-ply mint green nitrocellulose pickguard, vintage-style synchronized tremolo bridge with brass block for more overall tonal liveliness, an extra-sturdy larger-diameter trem arm, and nickel/chrome hardware. Includes case, cable, strap, tool kit and certificate of authenticity.
Courtesy of Reverb (L.A. Music)
