Fender Custom Shop Michael Landau 1963 Strat Relic Fiesta Red over Burst with G&G Hardcase

The Fender Custom Shop Michael Landau 1963 Strat Relic in Fiesta Red over Burst with a G&G Hardcase is a highly coveted and meticulously crafted instrument, designed to replicate Michael Landau's iconic, well-worn 1963 Stratocaster. This isn't just a standard production model; it's a Custom Shop creation, meaning it embodies the pinnacle of Fender's craftsmanship, attention to detail, and authentic vintage feel, enhanced by specific artist-requested features and a unique relic finish.

Key Features:

• Custom Shop Craftsmanship & Relic Finish:

  • Custom Shop Quality: Hand-built by Fender's master builders, ensuring exceptional attention to detail, wood selection, and construction quality.

  • Relic Aging: The "Relic" designation means the guitar has undergone Fender's proprietary aging process to simulate years of heavy use, touring, and wear. This includes finish checking, dings, dents, worn hardware, and faded plastic parts, giving it the authentic look and feel of a vintage instrument without the accompanying vintage price tag and maintenance issues.

  • "Fiesta Red over Burst" Finish: This is a key unique aesthetic. It signifies a "Two-Tone Relic" finish, where an original sunburst finish (typically a 3-Color Sunburst) was applied first, and then a coat of Fiesta Red was applied over it. The "Relic" process then simulates wear on the Fiesta Red, revealing glimpses of the original sunburst underneath, just as a real vintage guitar that was refinished might wear over time. This adds depth and character to its appearance.

• Body:

  • Material: Select Alder, a classic Fender tonewood known for its balanced tone, strong mids, and excellent resonance. Alder is the preferred wood for many vintage Stratocasters due to its tonal properties.

  • Shape: Authentic 1963 Stratocaster double-cutaway body contours.

• Neck & Fingerboard:

  • Neck Material: Quartersawn Maple, known for its exceptional stability and resonance.

  • Neck Profile: Custom "Oval C" or "Medium C" profile, specifically shaped to Michael Landau's preferences. It's often described as a slightly fuller, comfortable profile that fills the hand nicely without being overly chunky.

  • Neck Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer (often a "heavy relic" or "dirty relic" satin finish on the back) for an authentic vintage feel that won't get sticky.

  • Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm), standard Fender scale.

  • Fingerboard Material: Round-Lam Rosewood fingerboard. "Round-Lam" refers to the rounded laminated construction where the fingerboard is glued onto the neck with a curved bottom, typical of early 1960s Fender guitars. Rosewood adds warmth and smoothness to the tone.

  • Fingerboard Radius: 7.25" (184.1 mm) Vintage Radius. This is a rounder fingerboard radius, true to 1963 specifications, providing an authentic vintage playing feel ideal for chording and blues bends.

  • Frets: 21 Narrow Tall (6105) frets. These are taller and narrower than vintage frets, allowing for easier string bending and improved intonation, offering a good compromise between vintage feel and modern playability.

  • Nut: Bone nut, contributing to superior sustain and resonance.

  • Inlays: Clay Dot position inlays, another period-correct detail.

• Electronics (Michael Landau's Signature Tone):

  • Pickups: Hand-wound Fender Custom Shop Fat '60s Single-Coil Strat pickups (Neck, Middle, Bridge) or custom-spec Michael Landau pickups, depending on the exact year/run. These pickups are designed to capture the sweet, articulate, and dynamic tone of early 1960s Stratocasters, with slightly overwound characteristics for more punch.

  • Wiring: Vintage wiring, often with a 5-way blade switch. Landau's specific setups might involve slightly different wiring or capacitor choices.

  • Controls: Master Volume, Tone 1 (Neck/Middle Pickups), Tone 2 (Bridge Pickup).

• Hardware:

  • Bridge: 6-Saddle American Vintage Synchronized Tremolo with a Relic'd finish, providing authentic vibrato and sustain.

  • Tuning Machines: Vintage-style tuning machines with a Relic'd finish for period correctness and stable tuning.

  • Hardware Finish: Nickel/Chrome (Relic'd).

  • Pickguard: 3-ply Mint Green (Relic'd), a common pickguard material for 1960s Strats.

  • Control Knobs: Vintage White (Relic'd) plastic knobs and switch tip.

  • Neck Plate: 4-Bolt Vintage-Style.

• Included Accessory:

  • Comes with a G&G Deluxe Hardshell Case, which is the gold standard for Fender Custom Shop guitars, offering superior protection and a vintage-style aesthetic. Also typically includes a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) from the Custom Shop.

The Fender Custom Shop Michael Landau 1963 Strat Relic is a master-built instrument for the discerning player who demands authentic vintage tone, feel, and aesthetics, combined with the reliability of a new, custom-built guitar, all tailored to the exacting standards of a renowned musician.