Built By A Master
Throughout the years, Truetone Music has been fortunate to have had many 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 twist. As always, Jason Smith nailed it.
At first glance, it's simple: a '65 Stratocaster in a custom color. That's exactly what it is. We chose Aged Ocean Turquoise, with a matching headstock. We knew it would be super cool, but when the guitar landed, it was a bit of a show stopper here. As soon as it was unboxed, shipping/receiving guys ignored every other box, the techs in the repair shop put their tools down, sales guys started drooling, and our photographer immediately grabbed it. We'll pause now so you can check out those photos.
The alder body is super resonant, and really sings, even unplugged. The rock solid quartersawn maple has a period correct Large "C" profile - it's got a good amount of grip, but isn't too thick. So, for those that want that feel of a vintage mid-60's Strat that is still easy to play, this is a great find. We went with the modernization move of a 9.50" radius and 6105 (narrow tall) frets on the dark rosewood fretboard. So, fret not, you won't fret out on this guitar, even when your bending goes to the extreme.
For this Custom Shop Masterbuilt Strat we chose the Relic package. Each Masterbuilder has their own style with how they do the aging and wear - personally we love how Jason Smith does it. The body has the look of a guitar that has spent many nights on stage, which is exactly what a Strat like this should be doing. But, it's not overly done - Jason shows good restraint and really does it right. It's not just about looks though - it's really about feel. Those that have played Relic's like this one know that's really the whole story. It's all about a well broken-in dynamic that is supremely comfortable and fun to play. Jason gave the back of the neck a special treatment, removing most of the finish, to really accent this aspect of the guitar.
The guitar features Josefina Handwound '65 Strat pickups. They provide mellow vintage tones but with enough bite to cut through the mix with crisp articulation. From vintage bobbin construction to genuine original-era cloth wiring, these pickups are wound to precise specifications for authentic, traditional Fender tone and performance. No other pickups give you the powerful, clean and clear surf rock tones of mid-'60s Stratocaster guitars like this. Enamel-coated magnet wire delivers warm vintage-style tones, Alnico 5 magnets add more focus and enhanced dynamics, and staggered polepieces balance volume and output across every string. Legendary Josefina Campos, who came up under the tutelage of historic pickup winder Abigail Ybarra, did the handwinding for these pickups.
Also, we went with the Vintage Modified # 2 wiring setup. This features a master volume, tone # 1 (neck & middle pickups), and tone # 2 (bridge) with treble bleed (for keeping mids and rolling off highs without adding bass). As a common modern tweak, the guitar is wired with a 5 way switch.
Other features include a 3-ply parchment 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 # 9211003124
- Serial # R145743
- Weight: 7.3 lbs
- Finish Package: Relic
- Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
- Color: Aged Ocean Turquoise with Matching Headstock
- Body: Alder - Sort for Lightweight
- Neck: Quartersawn Maple
- Tint: Medium
- Fretboard: AAA Rosewood - Sort for Dark
- Neck Profile: Large "C"
- Depth at 1st Fret: .875"
- Depth at 12th Fret: .950"
- Nut Width: 1.65"
- Radius: 9.50"
- Frets: Narrow Tall (6105)
- Inlays: Mother of Pearl
- Tuners: Vintage
- Pickups: Custom Shop Josefina Handwound 65 Strat Set
- 5-way Switch
- Wiring: Vintage Modified # 2
- Pickguard: 3-ply Parchment
- Knobs: White
- Bridge: American Vintage
- Neck Plate: Vintage
- Custom Shop Deluxe Hardshell case
- Certificate of Authenticity Signed by Masterbuilder Jason Smith
- Custom Shop Strap
