MODEL NUMBER
1550082853
BODY
Body Material: Select Alder
Body Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Shape: Stratocaster
NECK
Neck Material: Quartersawn Maple
Neck Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Neck Shape: 1969 "U"
Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
Fingerboard Material: Maple
Fingerboard Radius: 9.5” (241 mm)
Number of Frets: 21
Fret Size: Narrow Jumbo
Nut Material: Bone
Nut Width: 1.650” (42 mm)
Position Inlays: Black Dots, Narrow Spacing
Truss Rod: Vintage Style
Skunk Stripe: None
HEADSTOCK
Type: Large
Logo: Black CBS Logo
Other Decals, front: "STRATOCASTER", "WITH SYNCHRONIZED TREMOLO", "PAT 2,741,146 3,143,028", "ORIGINAL Contour Body PATENTED"
Other Decals, back: Greg Fessler Master Builder Logo
ELECTRONICS
Bridge Pickup: Custom Shop Texas Special Single-Coil Strat
Middle Pickup: Custom Shop Fat '50s Single-Coil Strat
Neck Pickup: Custom Shop '69 Single-Coil Strat
Controls: Master Volume with Treble-Bleed, Tone 1. (Neck, Mid), Tone 2. (Bridge)
Switching: 5-Position Blade
Configuration: SSS
HARDWARE
Bridge: 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo
Saddles: Vintage Style, "FENDER"/"PAT.PEND."
Tuning Machines: Fender/Schaller "F" Keys
String Tree: Wing
Hardware: Nickel/Chrome
Pickguard: 3-Ply Parchment, 11 Holes (config. modern)
Control Knobs: Parchment
Switch Tip: Parchment
Pickup covers: Parchment
Neck Plate: 4-Bolt, "F", Serial
COLORS
(853) Firemist Gold Metallic
MISCELLANEOUS:
Strings: .010-.046
ACCESSORIES
Deluxe Hardshell Case
Certificate of Authenticity
COMMENTS
Journeyman Relic Finish
Listed on 2017 catalog, but in production since 2015
Early models with Aged White plastics
FENDER SAYS
Every masterbuilt Fender Custom Shop guitar is a labor of love—premium craftsmanship is united with a deep, abiding passion for the instruments and respect for those who play them. Inspired by the Strat guitars wielded by the giants of classic rock, the Greg Fessler Builder Select ’69 Stratocaster is a perfect example of the skill and commitment possessed by the Custom Shop luthiers.
Cosmetically this guitar is identical to the models that came off the line in 1969, played by renowned guitarists such as Gilmour, Blackmore and Hendrix. “I really like the look of the ‘69s, with the big headstock and everything,” Fessler said. When asked why he chose Firemist Gold Metallic for the finish he replied with a grin in his voice, “Well, it’s a vintage-era finish that could be found at the time, and people really like gold.” This thin nitrocellulose lacquer finish not only looks great, it allows the guitar’s body to breathe with extra resonance, sustain and a more natural sound.
This sterling instrument bears a few Fessler-designed custom modifications, otherwise remaining as period-accurate as possible—from the F-style tuning machines and 6-point tremolo to the mid-60s Oval “C”-shaped maple neck and narrow jumbo frets. The Custom Shop pickup complement is the well-known “Fessler Set” originally developed in 2006—three hand-wound single-coil pickups carefully selected by Fessler for their classic, highly dynamic and reactive tone when used together: a singing Custom ‘69 neck pickup, thick Fat ‘50s middle pickup and hot, high output Texas Special bridge pickup. The wiring is the special sauce that completes this tonal recipe— a treble bleed circuit maintains clarity while adjusting the guitar’s volume knob, retaining crisp clear high end and creating consistent tone while “cleaning up” nicely. The traditional control scheme is also slightly altered—one tone control affects the neck and middle pickups while the second tone control adjusts the bridge pickup for even more tonal variety.
Attention to minute details and master-level craftsmanship are the hallmarks of Greg Fessler’s carefully researched and constructed instruments—the limited edition Greg Fessler Builder Select ’69 Stratocaster is a premier example of his skill and dedication to the art of luthiery.
ENG: The birth of Fender Custom Shop
ITA: La nascita del Custom Shop Fender
1550082853
BODY
Body Material: Select Alder
Body Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Shape: Stratocaster
NECK
Neck Material: Quartersawn Maple
Neck Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Neck Shape: 1969 "U"
Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
Fingerboard Material: Maple
Fingerboard Radius: 9.5” (241 mm)
Number of Frets: 21
Fret Size: Narrow Jumbo
Nut Material: Bone
Nut Width: 1.650” (42 mm)
Position Inlays: Black Dots, Narrow Spacing
Truss Rod: Vintage Style
Skunk Stripe: None
HEADSTOCK
Type: Large
Logo: Black CBS Logo
Other Decals, front: "STRATOCASTER", "WITH SYNCHRONIZED TREMOLO", "PAT 2,741,146 3,143,028", "ORIGINAL Contour Body PATENTED"
Other Decals, back: Greg Fessler Master Builder Logo
ELECTRONICS
Bridge Pickup: Custom Shop Texas Special Single-Coil Strat
Middle Pickup: Custom Shop Fat '50s Single-Coil Strat
Neck Pickup: Custom Shop '69 Single-Coil Strat
Controls: Master Volume with Treble-Bleed, Tone 1. (Neck, Mid), Tone 2. (Bridge)
Switching: 5-Position Blade
Configuration: SSS
HARDWARE
Bridge: 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo
Saddles: Vintage Style, "FENDER"/"PAT.PEND."
Tuning Machines: Fender/Schaller "F" Keys
String Tree: Wing
Hardware: Nickel/Chrome
Pickguard: 3-Ply Parchment, 11 Holes (config. modern)
Control Knobs: Parchment
Switch Tip: Parchment
Pickup covers: Parchment
Neck Plate: 4-Bolt, "F", Serial
COLORS
(853) Firemist Gold Metallic
MISCELLANEOUS:
Strings: .010-.046
ACCESSORIES
Deluxe Hardshell Case
Certificate of Authenticity
COMMENTS
Journeyman Relic Finish
Listed on 2017 catalog, but in production since 2015
Early models with Aged White plastics
FENDER SAYS
Every masterbuilt Fender Custom Shop guitar is a labor of love—premium craftsmanship is united with a deep, abiding passion for the instruments and respect for those who play them. Inspired by the Strat guitars wielded by the giants of classic rock, the Greg Fessler Builder Select ’69 Stratocaster is a perfect example of the skill and commitment possessed by the Custom Shop luthiers.
Cosmetically this guitar is identical to the models that came off the line in 1969, played by renowned guitarists such as Gilmour, Blackmore and Hendrix. “I really like the look of the ‘69s, with the big headstock and everything,” Fessler said. When asked why he chose Firemist Gold Metallic for the finish he replied with a grin in his voice, “Well, it’s a vintage-era finish that could be found at the time, and people really like gold.” This thin nitrocellulose lacquer finish not only looks great, it allows the guitar’s body to breathe with extra resonance, sustain and a more natural sound.
This sterling instrument bears a few Fessler-designed custom modifications, otherwise remaining as period-accurate as possible—from the F-style tuning machines and 6-point tremolo to the mid-60s Oval “C”-shaped maple neck and narrow jumbo frets. The Custom Shop pickup complement is the well-known “Fessler Set” originally developed in 2006—three hand-wound single-coil pickups carefully selected by Fessler for their classic, highly dynamic and reactive tone when used together: a singing Custom ‘69 neck pickup, thick Fat ‘50s middle pickup and hot, high output Texas Special bridge pickup. The wiring is the special sauce that completes this tonal recipe— a treble bleed circuit maintains clarity while adjusting the guitar’s volume knob, retaining crisp clear high end and creating consistent tone while “cleaning up” nicely. The traditional control scheme is also slightly altered—one tone control affects the neck and middle pickups while the second tone control adjusts the bridge pickup for even more tonal variety.
Attention to minute details and master-level craftsmanship are the hallmarks of Greg Fessler’s carefully researched and constructed instruments—the limited edition Greg Fessler Builder Select ’69 Stratocaster is a premier example of his skill and dedication to the art of luthiery.
ENG: The birth of Fender Custom Shop
ITA: La nascita del Custom Shop Fender
Courtesy of Cream City Music
