The early 1960s saw some important changes to the Stratocaster, including a new pickguard configuration, neck profile and a “round-laminated” rosewood fingerboard, all culminating in a compelling new contemporary look and sound. The 1963 Stratocaster Journeyman Relic is a fine testament to these innovations, featuring a two-piece select alder body with deep contours for perfect comfort, a quartersawn maple neck with a time-honored 1963 “C” profile, and a 9.5”-radius rosewood fingerboard with 21 narrow tall frets for steady play up and down the neck.
Hand-wound Fat ’60s pickups with reverse-wound/reverse-polarity middle pickup are given extra turns of wire to produce rich ’60s tone, sent to a five-way switch and vintage modified #2 wiring on a three-ply mint green pickguard. Other features include a Custom Shop vintage-style synchronized tremolo, vintage-style tuning machines, bone nut and wing string tree with metal spacer. Also includes deluxe hardshell case, strap and certificate of authenticity.
