Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt Carlos Lopez '59 Strat Heavy Relic Inca Silver

Throughout the years, Truetone Music has received a ton of Custom Shop guitars.  They're all special, but when a Masterbuilt piece lands, it feels like an event, not just a guitar.  And when it's done by Carlos Lopez, we know it will be top notch and unique to his own style.  But when it's a Heavy Relic '59 Strat with a Brazilian Rosewood, it goes to a whole another level.

Masterbuilt guitars are hard to come by, and one like this is a rare creation.  Of course, the main feature is the beautiful, dark Brazilian Rosewood fretboard.  This highly desirable wood is the most sought after for Strat fretboards.  It tops an unbelievable AAA Flame Maple neck, which has been roasted to perfection.  The 60's C neck profile is very comfortable, and we spec'ed this out to be a bit thicker (but not too chunky).  Full measurements are below.

The guitar features Josefina Hand-Wound '59 Strat pickups, voiced to be vintage correct recreations of one of the most sought after sets.   The vintage bobbin construction and real cloth wiring, as well the formvar-coasted magnet wires ensures that you're getting as close as it gets to how it was done back in the day.  The wax potting reduces microphonic issues.  They are calibrated to be balanced, with Alnico V magnets for a focused, dynamic response.  These pickups are bright (without sounding harsh) and provide a clear articulation - the quintessential Strat sound. 

The Heavy Relic treatment was perfected by Carlos Lopez down to the finest detail (zoom in on the pictures to see). We haven't seen many as well done as this - he has a truly admirable drive for attention to detail with his work.  Don't forget to check out that pickguard, as it's one of his calling cards.  We don't see anyone else doing it quite like he does.

Carlos Lopez received his first electric guitar – an American Standard Stratocaster – as a teenager, and hasn’t looked back since. The East Los Angeles native graduated from the Musician’s Institute Guitar Craft program in 2006 and was hired by Fender mere months later as an assembly builder. Promoted to the Custom Shop in 2007, he spent the next eight years in the Team Built division, honing his Fender chops and assisting Master Builders on various projects.

Lopez became an Apprentice Master Builder under Todd Krause in 2017, assisting with guitars for Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Robbie Robertson, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Robin Trower and others. By 2019, he become an official Masterbuilder, an achievement and honor bestowed up only a select few.  In the time since, his work has become high in demand.  Lopez has also crafted an array of distinctive Fender creations, and created a style all his own.

“I’ve learned from the best of the best, and I can’t put into words how special it is to be a part of such an iconic brand with some of the finest builders in the world,” Lopez said. “It truly is an honor.”

We at Truetone Music are especially proud to work with Lopez, as he is a "local kid" that grew up coming here.  Any chance we get to have one of his creations, we jump on it.  Yet, you will rarely see them here - because they tend to be snatched up immediately!

This is a rare opportunity to get a very special Strat, built by one of the best out there. Come to Club Fender at Truetone Music to check it out, or make it yours today by ordering right here.