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Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt Austin MacNutt 1956 Stratocaster Heavy Relic Dakota Red With Case

SKU 00FCS287
by Fender
Sold out
Original price $ 8,800.00 - Original price $ 8,800.00
Original price
$ 8,800.00
$ 8,800.00 - $ 8,800.00
Current price $ 8,800.00

Masterbuilt Austin MacNutt '56 Strat Heavy Relic


Truetone Music is proud to have a long and close relationship with Fender, especially with the Custom Shop.  Every so often, a new Masterbuilder joins the ranks - when that happens, we jump right into it with them to forge a new partnership.  This killer 1956 Stratocaster is a result of that approach.  

Earlier this year, we got word that Austin MacNutt had joined the Fender Custom Shop as the newest Masterbuilder.  We immediately set up a meeting to cook up a batch of very special guitars.   We always like to ask the builders what they would like to build, colors they want to use, etc., in an effort to truly collaborate on guitars that they are excited to build.  That was the genesis of this amazing '56 Strat Heavy Relic in Dakota Red - it's the first of the guitars to arrive.  Having not held one of Austin's guitars before, we weren't sure what to expect.  When it landed, we couldn't have been more impressed.  He absolutely nailed it.

This color was Austin's idea - that, along with the Heavy Relic finish, is what grabs your attention right away.  While Dakota Red is known as a "classic Fender color", it's not seen very often.   What's really impressive is the aging and wear.  Austin has his own style, and 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.  We're glad we went for a Heavy Relic on this guitar, as it came out unbelievably cool.  It's not just about the aesthetics though - as anyone that has played a Custom Shop guitar like this knows, it's just as much (if not more) all about the feel.  If this is any indication of Austin's work going forward, we expect demand for his builds to skyrocket the way it has for other Masterbuilders.

We asked Austin to hand-select a great piece of maple for the neck, which he most definitely did.  It's rock solid, and he also did the aging work on it perfectly - this guitar truly is a pleasure to play.  We chose to keep this guitar period correct and went with a 10/56 "V" neck shape.  It's a very comfortable vintage feeling neck, thicker than a lot of Custom Shop guitars (which quite often have a 60's Oval "C" shape), and perfect for anyone that wants the real feel of a mid-50's Strat.  The modernized tweak is that the guitar 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.  

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 Handwound '56 Strat pickups.  They provide the clean, smooth and clear mid-50's Strat tones that the era is known for.  These are vintage correct pickups, made just like they were back in 1956.  Formvar wire and wax potting create warm, vintage-style tones, and the Alnico 5 magnets add focus and enhanced dynamics.  They have the custom Low G stagger, and it's a calibrated set, for a balanced output across the tonal spectrum.  This makes this Strat very versatile, and suitable for many styles.

We stayed period correct for the hardware, going with vintage tuners, bridge, etc.  The idea is to have everything you'd expect in a vintage Strat from 1956, with the slight tweak of modern playability.  The guitar comes with a Custom Shop tweed case, strap and Certificate of Authenticity.

A Masterbuilt instrument is like no other, and this is truly a one of a kind.  When it's one of the first Austin MacNutt builds, it's truly something special.  Come to Club Fender at Truetone Music to experience it today, or make it yours right here.

ABOUT THE MASTERBUILDER: AUSTIN MACNUTT
Canadian born in a family of performing musicians, some of Austin’s earliest memories contain acoustic and electric guitars, including his father’s 1963 Custom Color Black Fender Jaguar with matching headstock that is still in the family. Following in his parent’s footsteps, he took up guitar playing at the age of 10 and soon found himself tinkering on it to improve playability and tone. Throughout his teens, Austin developed his building and repair skills and became the local go-to repair tech for many of the bands passing through.

After graduating high school in Saskatoon – Austin saved up and enrolled himself at the Guitar Craft Academy in Hollywood to further his skills and passion for guitar building. Recognizing his talents, immediately after completing the course the school offered him a position as one of their teachers. During these 5 years of teaching guitar building, he met Ron Thorn during an inlay seminar, and shortly after was offered a position at Thorn Guitars. For 11 years Austin crafted boutique electric guitars under the Thorn brand. From raw lumber selection, millwork, CNC operation, fretwork, final assembly – Austin did it all and once again is working shoulder to shoulder with his old friend, now crafting Fender’s finest.

When Austin is not building guitars, he enjoys spending his time with his girlfriend playing music and going camping whenever and wherever he can.



  • Serial # R120557
  • Model# 9211003168
  • Weight: 7.1 lbs
  • Finish Package: Heavy Relic
  • Finish: Nitro Lacquer
  • Color: Dakota Red
  • Body: Alder
  • Neck: Maple
  • Tint: medium
  • Neck Shape: 10/56 "V"
  • Frets: 21
  • Fretwire: 6105 Narrow Tall
  • Radius: 9.5"
  • Dots: Micarta Black
  • Neck Nut Width: 1.650"
  • Neck Thickness at 1st Fret:  .880"
  • Neck Thickness at 12th Fret:  .980"
  • Neck Butt Width: 2.200"
  • Pickguard: 1-Ply Parchment
  • Neck Pickup: Handwound '56 Strat
  • Middle Pickup:  Handwound '56 Strat RWRP
  • Bridge Pickup:  Handwound '56 Strat
  • Nut: Bone
  • Tuners: Vintage
  • String Guide: Vintage
  • Bridge: Vintage Synchronized Tremolo
  • Neck Plate: Vintage
  • Back Plate: Vintage
  • Switch: 5 Way
  • Pots: 250K 10% Taper Split
  • Wiring: Modern
  • Case: Custom Shop Tweed