When it comes to guitars, there's an undeniable aura that radiates from the storytelling scars developed over decades of constant use. With the Fender Custom Shop Limited-edition 1963 Stratocaster, you can tap into that mystique while getting the look, feel, and sound of over 50 years of playing. The classic tonewood combo of an alder body with a maple neck and a rosewood fretboard gives this Strat the unmistakable feel of a genuine original, while a trio of showstopping single-coil pickups re-create the vibe of the early days of rock and the lauded lineage of blues. Everything is packaged nicely in a breathtakingly authentic heavy relic'd finish, with distressed hardware throughout illustrating how this axe has been through the wringer. If you're clamoring for a well-worn instrument that's ready for countless shows ahead of it, reach for the Fender Custom Shop Limited-edition 1963 Stratocaster. You won't be disappointed.

The look and feel of the real deal

In their quest to craft a spot-on re-creation of a '63 Strat, Fender spared no expense in securing some of the best tonewoods available. It all starts with alder, one of two — along with ash — seminal body woods used in the early days of the Stratocaster. Alder has been used for decades and decades in Strats and many other axes, thanks to its full sound, exceptional clarity, and thick mids and lows. For that classic Strat "snap," Fender equipped the '63 Stratocaster with a rock-solid maple neck, crafted to last for generations. The cherry on top is the AAA rosewood fretboard, possessing an almost glass-like feel that's perfect for practically any genre and playing style imaginable.

Three single-coils nail the classic Strat sound

When channeling the sound of one of the first-ever mass-produced 6-strings, special attention needs to be given to the electronics. That's why Fender equipped the '63 Strat with three spectacular Fat '60s single-coil pickups to deliver the spank, twang, and grit of an original model. The overwound design gives these pickups extra low-end punch for an added shot of high-octane attitude. Spec'd with beveled alnico 2 magnets, Custom Shop Fat ‘60s pickups capture the sound of aged pickups from the early ‘60s — warm lows, rich midrange, and mellow highs — for sumptuous vintage-inspired tone. The middle pickup is also reverse-wound reverse-polarity (RWRP) for hum cancellation in positions 2 or 4.

Relic'd finish and hardware are packed with vintage appeal

While many guitar aficionados like the relic look, a larger number of players get these guitars because they feel so comfortable and broken in. The relic look naturally calls for distressed hardware, and Fender's Vintage Strat bridge and output jack wear their wounds with pride, topped off with Vintage tuners for a complete package. Guitarists at Music Experience agree, the Limited-edition 1963 Stratocaster Heavy Relic looks and feels like a well-worn instrument that will be comfortable and familiar right off the bat.