Built By A Master
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. This is especially true with one like this. It's a classic, with a very special feature. As always, Jason Smith nailed it.
At first glance, it's simple: a '59 Strat in 3-Tone Sunburst. That's exactly what it is, which of course is a true classic. The alder body, sorted for lightweight, is super resonant, and really sings, even unplugged. Of course, that main feature is the beautiful Brazilian Rosewood fretboard. This highly desirable wood is the most sought after Strat fretboards, and highly regular (this guitar cannot be shipped outside of the US for this reason - the back of the headstock is stamped declaring this). You don't see many Brazilian Rosewood Strats out there, for good reason - they're rare and go fast! It tops a gorgeous Flame Maple neck. The Large C neck profile is very comfortable - it's got a good amount of grip, but isn't too thick. We went with the classic modernization move of a 9.5" radius and 6105 (narrow tall) frets.
The guitar features Hand-Wound '59 Strat pickups, voiced to be vintage correct recreations of one of the most sought after sets. The reason is that they give you a classic clean Strat tone with just the right amount of bite. It's "the" sound that players strive after with a Strat, and works for a variety of styles. They produce a round, warm tone with a sweet edge, thanks to the Alnico 5 magnets, Formvar-coated wire, stagged pole pices, and a ton of mojo.
The Journeyman Relic treatment was perfected by Smith, down to the finest detail (zoom in on the pictures to see). We could have gone with any color, but in a case like this, we couldn't argue with a true classic.
Other features include a 3-play Mint Green pickguard, American Vintage bridge, period correct tuners, string tree, and other hardware. The guitar comes with a Custom Shop deluxe case, strap and Certificate of Authenticity signed by the Masterbuilder.
This amazing example from one of Fender's premier Masterbuilders was created as a one-off guitar for Truetone Music - and we couldn't be happier with the result. Don't hesitate, as it will be at least 2 - 3 years till we get another, as that's the wait time for all Jason Smith builds. Any Masterbuilt Stratocaster is a special instrument, and this one really stands out. Come to Truetone Music to check it out today, or order right here to be shipped to your home.
About the builder:
A Custom Shop veteran and son of longtime Fender R&D legend Dan Smith, Jason Smith grew up on Fender—“It has always been in my family,” he said, “And I was always extremely interested in everything my father did.”
Born in Rochester, N.Y., and raised in California, Smith remembers meeting guitar greats from about age five on through his father’s work with Fender—Eric Clapton, Yngwie Malmsteen, Jeff Beck and Robben Ford, to name only a few. He went to his first big rock concert at age six—Rush—and Smith remembers going backstage with his dad and meeting Geddy Lee after the show. Before he was even in his teens, Smith was going to see Pink Floyd, ZZ Top and many other major artists.
Rock music and Fender are part of his DNA. Smith joined the Fender Custom Shop in 1995, and in 2006 completed a five-year apprenticeship under acclaimed Senior Master Builder John English. Among many diverse projects with English, Smith worked on a pair of double-neck Stratocaster guitars for Stone Temple Pilots guitarist Dean DeLeo. He has since crafted fine instruments for players and acts including John 5, Michael Landau, Flea, Josh Klinghoffer, Geddy Lee, Steve Harris, Reggie Hamilton, Linkin Park, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Neon Trees and many others.
- Part # 9211003051
- Serial # R129789
- Weight: 7.5 lbs
- Finish Package: Journeyman Relic
- Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
- Color: 3-Tone Tonesunburst
- Body: Alder - Sort for Lightweight
- Neck: Flame Maple
- Tint: Light
- Fretboard: Brazilian Blackwood - Sort for Dark
- Neck Profile: Large C
- Depth at 1st Fret: .875"
- Depth at 12th Fret: 950"
- 1.650" Nut Width
- Radius: 9.5"
- Frets: Narrow Tall (6105)
- Inlays: Vintage Clay
- Tuners: Vintage
- Pickups: Custom Shop Handwound '59 Strat
- 5-way Switch
- Wiring: Vintage Modified # 2
- Pickguard: 3-ply Mint Green
- Backplate: White
- Knobs: White
- Bridge: American Vintage
- Neck Plate: Vintage
- Custom Shop Deluxe Brown Hardshell case
- Certificate of Authenticity Signed by Masterbuilder Jason Smith
- Custom Shop Strap
