By Jason Smith
I'm really diggin' the Special Edition Custom Classic Strat from the Fender Custom Shop. Like the original Custom Classic, this model is a select Custom Shop version of the American Series Stratocaster featuring top grade materials and craftsmanship. The original version of the Custom Classic was discontinued at the end of 2008 to make room for the new Custom Deluxe Stratocaster, but not before it made its mark as a great professional guitar that successfully combined modern and classic features at a very reasonable price.
We placed a good size order for these Special Edition Custom Classics just before the model went away, and boy, I’m sure glad we did. The Special Edition adds a couple things that take it in more of a classic direction and really raise it to another level. In my opinion the result is the perfect blend of vintage and modern features.
The Special Edition version retains the super comfortable modern C-shaped neck, reliable Fender/Schaller Deluxe Staggered Sealed Tuning Machines, and the smooth and consistent Deluxe 2-Point Tremolo system.
The unique features that bring the guitar closer to perfection are a 100% nitrocellulose lacquer “Thin Skin” finish, the 3 Abigail Ybarra-initialed 1969 Custom Shop Pickups, and the 6105 frets. The 6105 frets make for amazing playability. They are not too wide and have plenty of height so big bends are a breeze.
A pure nitro-lacquer finish means the finish is very thin and resonance is not dampened by a catalyzed or poly based undercoat. Because of this, this version of the Custom Classic rings out like a great vintage Strat.
The 1969 pickups have been my favorite Custom Shop pickups ever since I first heard them 5 years ago. They really have the qualities of a great vintage single coil Strat pickup: chimeyness, great responsiveness, good clarity, and tons of character. They really give the Custom Classic Special Edition an amazing vintage voice.
The most impressive thing about these is how all of the features come together to give you an instrument that feels like an extension of yourself. The feel the neck, the action of the vibrato, the resonance of the instrument, the sound of the pickups all really inspired me to new heights.
If you‘re an active musician, you really owe it to yourself to check one of these out. They’re the ultimate in modern comfort and reliability, with the sound, tone, and vibe of the classic originals. And as a Custom Shop guitar priced at just under $2000.00, it qualifies as one of the best bang for the buck deals around.
