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Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt Dale Wilson 1965 Stratocaster Heavy Relic Firemist Silver Over Sunburst

SKU 00FCS228
by Fender
Sold out
Original price $ 9,500.00 - Original price $ 9,500.00
Original price
$ 9,500.00
$ 9,500.00 - $ 9,500.00
Current price $ 9,500.00

Masterbuilt Dale Wilson '65 Strat

Truetone Music is proud to have a long and close relationship with Fender, especially with the Custom Shop.  Every so often, we make a pilgrimage there to sit down with Masterbuilders to cook up a batch of amazing guitars.  Sometimes we go for vintage-styled recreations, sometimes we go for modernized tweaks.  Sometimes it's a classic color, sometimes it's a totally new color or even reclaimed wood.  No matter what, they always knock it out of the park!

This killer 1965 Stratocaster is a result of this partnership.  In 2018, we met with Masterbuilder Dale Wilson and came up with the idea for this guitar.  We specifically ask the builders what they would like to build, colors they want to use, etc., in an effort to partner on guitar they are excited to build.  That was the genesis of this amazing '65 Strat Heavy Relic in Firemist Silver over Chocolate 3-Tone Sunburst.  After a 3 year wait, it exceeded our expectations in every way.

This color combination was Dale's idea - that, along with the Heavy Relic finish, is what grabs your attention right away.  It's like nothing else we've ever seen.  There's really no way to describe it, but that's what the photos are for!  Be sure to check out the level of detail shown.  Dale has his own unique style to relic'ing, and for those that know, they will recognize it right away.  Also, note the weight - this guitar weighs only 6.8 lbs.

The other main calling card of this Stratocaster is the roasted AAA Flame Maple neck.  You'll notice it right away when viewing the photos.  We've seen a lot of flame necks here but not many like this.  We asked Dale to pick the best piece of flame maple that he could, and he most definitely did.  The roasting treatment gives it an aged, darkened look that matches the guitar perfectly.  We chose to keep this guitar period correct and went with a '65 Strat "C" neck shape.  It's a very comfortable vintage feeling neck, slightly thicker than a lot of Custom Shop guitars (which quite often have a 60's Oval "C" shape).  It's capped by a AAA Rosewood fretboard that has a 9.5 radius and Narrow Tall (6105) frets.  This makes it easy to play, even up high on the neck when bending notes.  We also went with Mother of Pearl dots and a '65 Strat gold logo.

It's not just about looks and feel - the third element - the sound - is where this guitar really shines.  We want to stay true to the unmistakable tone of a vintage Strat, so the guitar is loaded with Josefina Handwound '65 Strat pickups.  They provide the powerful, clean and clear mid-60's Strat tones that the era is known for.  These are vintage correct pickups, made just like they were back in 1965.  Enamel-coated wire and wax potting create warm, vintage-style tones, and the Alnico 5 magnets add focus and enhanced dynamics.  Staggered polepieces balance volume and output across every string.  This makes this Strat very versatile, suitable for many styles.

We stayed period correct for the hardware, going with vintage tuners, bridge, etc.  It comes with the original hardshell case, strap and Certificate of Authenticity.


Dale Wilson arrived at Fender in 2003, joined the Custom Shop in 2005 and became a Master Builder in 2011. Building guitars has been a driving passion for the California native since childhood. “Ever since I can remember, I’ve always loved guitars,” he said. “I didn’t dream of being a rock star; I dreamed of building the ultimate guitar. I was equally enthralled with the guitars just as much as I was with the players”.   Woodworking runs in the Wilson family, and the requisite Custom Shop zeal for outstanding craftsmanship has long been part of Dale’s DNA. He enjoys calling upon his extensive and varied experience as a craftsman to create highly distinctive guitars.  His style of relic'ing is instantly recognizable, and his craftmanship is second to none - this is largely why his waitlist has grown immensely (as of now, it's a 4 year wait).  We feel lucky to have this guitar....though we don't expect to have it for long.

A Masterbuilt instrument is like no other, and this is truly a one of a kind.  Come to Club Fender at Truetone Music to experience it today, or make it yours right here.

    • Serial # CZ551905
    • Model# 9213000569
    • Weight: 6.8 lbs
    • Finish Package: Heavy Relic
    • Finish: Nitro Lacquer
    • Color: Firemist Silver over Chocolate 3-Tone Sunburst
    • Body: Alder
    • Neck: Roasted AAA Flame Maple
    • Neck Shape: '65 Strat "C"
    • Fretboard: AAA Rosewood
    • Frets: 21
    • Fretwire: 6105 Narrow Tall
    • Radius: 9.5"
    • Dots: Mother of Pearl
    • Neck Nut Width: 1.650"
    • Neck Thickness at 1st Fret:  .820"
    • Neck Thickness at 12th Fret:  .974"
    • Neck Butt Width: 2.200"
    • Pickguard: 3-Ply Parchment
    • Neck Pickup: Josefina Handwound '65 Strat
    • Middle Pickup:  Josefina Handwound '65 Strat
    • Bridge Pickup:  Josefina Handwound '65 Strat
    • Bone Nut
    • Tuners: Vintage
    • String Guide: Vintage
    • Bridge: Vintage Synchronized Tremolo
    • Neck Plate: Vintage
    • Back Plate: White
    • Switch: 5 Way
    • Pots: 250K 10% Taper Split
    • Wiring: Standard
    • Case: Custom Shop Black