An amazing instrument from the late 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 with a Certificate of Authenticity hand-signed by founding Custom Shop Master Builder John Page, from the time when there were actually one-of-a-kind custom designs being produced with painstaking attention to quality and craftsmanship.This guitar belonged to a friend who played with me in a band across a couple of countries in Europe. And as I also own a Set-Neck Strat, I’m proud to show and propose this 1998 Custom Shop Stratocaster Set-Neck.

This pretty rare 1998 Fender Custom Shop Set Neck Stratocaster has a stunning natural finish flame maple top on a pretty lightweigth 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, signed by John Page COA, 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. Back in 1993, at the guitar store I first worked in, we had a couple, and 2 came right at the same time. One Sunburst, one I kept for myself and still own, and a natural finish one. Anyway, I love these Set-Neck.

This guitar is in great condition and shows no scuffs, no dings, no dents….well, nothing as it had been in a private collection since… 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 a Seymour Duncan JB in bridge position and 2 single coil Custom Shop pickups. 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 rosewood 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 meaty medium neck profile with slippery smooth finish, black skunk stripe and silky smooth 22-fret rosewood 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 one Set-Neck since 20 years, I can tel you, in my view, the Set-Neck Strats are one of the best modern configurations Fender ever produced.

This instrument comes with its original COA, signed by John Page himself. Also included in the original SKB case are some case candies, tags, Allen wrench, original tremolo arm.