An amazing instrument from the early 90s Fender Custom Shop, when all of the top luthiers were there and cranking out some killer axes. You can clearly see this is no typical Custom Shop Strat. The Stratocaster Set-Neck we propose you here comes from the time when there were actually one-of-a-kind custom designs being produced with painstaking attention to quality and craftsmanship.

Back in 1993 I was working in an other guitar shop. 2 fender Set-Neck Strats showed up, a good friend took the natural one and I grabbed this very Sunburst one. We ended up from 1999 to 2004 playing together in a band across a couple of countries in Europe. But before that, in 1997, I came across a few other Set-Neck Strats and swapped this Quilt maple one for a Flame maple one, and sold my Quilt Set-Neck to a customer who kept it from 1997 to 2024. As I still own my Flame maple Set-Neck and despite beeing reunited with this Quilt maple one after 27 years, here is this incredible axe for sale.

This pretty rare 1993 Fender Custom Shop Set Neck Stratocaster has a stunning sunburst finish quilt maple top on a pretty mahogany body, and the very-rare-for-Strats set neck. Yes, There are no bolts in the neck. Fender released the Showmaster series in 2007, which carried a 3899€ street price. These were the latest set-neck type Strat fender released… Get this baby for less with the added benefit of an original 90’s Custom Shop Strat, set neck sustain along with the fact the wood has had a chance to age and become unbelievably resonant. These original Set-Neck Stratocaster models were only made for a few years in general, and were proposed back in the 90’s for a pretty expensive price as well.

This guitar is in great condition in regard of the extensive 30 years of playing (and very well played). A few scuffs, dings and dents, mostly on the sides and back of the instrument, some scratches, playwear, but no severe damages, no breaks, no functional issues, really. Also, the frets are in perfect shape, we did a fret job, and they came back like new.  The quality of the woodwork is outstanding and the guitar has an excellent low action. Tonality is superb with a Stratocaster Ultra set up with 4 Lace Sensor pickups including the bridge pickup configured as a ‘Dually’ pickup – essentially a coil-tappable Humbucker configuration. The combination of Blue, Silver, and Red Lace Sensors gives excellent tonal flexibility augmented by the TBX tone control, 5-position switch with custom wiring, and the coil-tap mini toggle. All 3 positions of the mini toggle sound different, giving you a number of tonal choices in combination with the middle pup. The guitar not only produces classic and updated Stratocaster tones but it also has a sustain and smoothness not usually found on a Strat, providing an extremely versatile guitar.

The neck has an ebony fingerboard which is in my view something that should be used more often on Strats – the tonality matches that of a maple neck and the feel of a rosewood… the ideal compromise and upgrade. Satisfyingly medium neck profile with slippery smooth finish, black skunk stripe and silky smooth 22-fret bound ebony fingerboard boasting mother of pearl position inlays. The back of the guitar and neck is finished in a thin black lacquer which reminds me very much of a Gibson. The hardware, locking Schaller tuners, LSR-Wilkinson nut, and Fender Deluxe Locking Tremolo are all contributing to tuning stability and usability of the tremolo. Yes, as I’m the happy owner of a Set-Neck since 30+ years, I can tell you, in my view, the Set-Neck Strats are one of the best configurations Fender ever produced.

This instrument comes with its original John Page signed COA. Also included in the original Tweed case are some Allen wrench, the original tremolo arm and a high en leather Bull strap with Strap Locks.