The ’61 Strat Heavy Relic takes you back to a special time during the evolution of the venerable model when Leo Fender was constantly modifying, progressing, innovating and perfecting. 1961 was the final year of the round-lam or “slab” rosewood fingerboard, ushering in a new era of ’60s Strats along with many other changes and upgrades. On this model, a two-piece select alder body wears a well-worn Heavy Relic lacquer finish, and the quartersawn maple neck has a ’60s-style “oval C” profile, 9.5”-radius flat-lam rosewood fingerboard, and 21 Jumbo (6100) frets for classic feel and gigantic bends.

Custom Shop hand-wound Texas Special™ pickups provide extra output and are hooked up to Vintage Modified #2 wiring with Tone-Saver bleed circuitry and five-way switching, all on a three-ply mint green pickguard. Other features include a Custom Shop vintage synchronized tremolo, vintage-style tuning machines, bone nut, and wing string tree with tall metal spacer. Also includes deluxe hardshell case, strap and certificate of authenticity.

TIME MACHINE
Our shrine to the heritage and legacy of those pioneers who made us what we are today. The Fender Custom Shop reached new heights of craftsmanship with its acclaimed Time Machine series—artfully “relic-ed” guitars and basses that revolutionized the entire concept of “reissue” instruments. The Custom Shop has since ventured even higher by crafting meticulous replicas using the same techniques and tooling used to create the originals all those years ago.

Heavy Relic®
Hard-fought wear and tear.
The heaviest of the Custom Shop relic treatments, designed to evoke decades of the most punishing play and touring. From serious dinging and wear to intensely discolored hardware and finish, the true battle-hardened workhorse of the Custom Shop collection.

Specs:

General
Model Name:’61 Strat® Heavy Relic®, Rosewood Fingerboard, Aged Ocean Turquoise over 3-Color Sunburst
Model Number:9235001576
Series:Time Machine
Color:Aged Ocean Turquoise over 3-Color Sunburst

Body
Body Shape:Stratocaster®
Body Material:2-Piece Select Alder
Body Finish:Lacquer

Neck
Neck Material:Quartersawn Maple
Neck Shape:1960 Oval “C”
Scale Length:25.5″ (648 mm)
Fingerboard Radius:9.5″ (241 mm)
Number of Frets:21
Fret Size:Jumbo (6100)
String Nut:Bone
Nut Width:1.650″ (42 mm)
Neck Finish:Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Fingerboard:Flat-Lam Rosewood
Position Inlays:Vintage Clay Dot

Electronics
Bridge Pickup:Custom Shop Hand-Wound Texas Special™ Single-Coil Strat®
Middle Pickup:Custom Shop Hand-Wound Texas Special™ Single-Coil Strat®
Neck Pickup:Custom Shop Hand-Wound Texas Special™ Single-Coil Strat®
Controls:Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck/Middle Pickups), Tone 2. (Bridge Pickup)
Pickup Switching:5-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup Position 3. Middle Pickup Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup Position 5. Neck Pickup
Pickup Configuration:SSS

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

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