Of course I fell for it the moment I saw it at NAMM. This is the very guitar that was displayed at the 2025 Special Event in Anaheim; it was available to order through a lottery system, which Leadmusic won. What a beauty!!! This Fender Limited Edition Strat SH Heavy Relic with rosewood fingerboard and Aged 2-Color Sunburst finish is an exceptional electric guitar from the Fender Custom Shop, produced in extremely limited numbers at the beginning of 2025. The one presented at NAMM 2025 is the exact instrument we have.

At first glance, it captivates with its Heavy Relic aesthetics, realistically recreating the natural wear of an instrument that has spent decades on stage and in the studio. The nitrocellulose finish reveals a beautifully aged sunburst, carefully executed wear marks, and a body that seems to breathe, giving the unmistakable impression of a guitar that has truly been played a lot.

The two-piece selected ash body with offset seam delivers excellent acoustic resonance, a comfortable light weight, and perfect balance in hand. The quartersawn maple neck features a 1966 Oval “C” profile that is extremely comfortable and equally suited to open chords and expressive solos. The 3A rosewood fingerboard provides a smooth, warm playing feel while adding extra roundness to the tonal spectrum. The compound radius, from 9.5 to 12 inches, ensures optimal comfort along the entire neck, allowing easy bends and fast playing without fret buzz. The 21 vintage Jescar frets complete this authentic and highly enjoyable playing experience.

Sonically, this Stratocaster stands out thanks to an unconventional yet extremely effective pickup configuration. In the neck position, a Seymour Duncan ’59 delivers a rich, warm, and musical tone, perfect for blues, vintage rock, and more subtle textures. At the bridge, a Custom Shop hand-wound Original Blackguard Tele-style single-coil provides bite, clarity, and attack, ideal for punchy rhythms and cutting leads. The three-way selector makes it easy to move between these tonal worlds, offering a highly expressive and versatile palette.

The hardware remains entirely true to the vintage spirit, featuring a Tele cut-off bridge with three brass saddles that enhance sustain and precision, Fender vintage tuners ensuring excellent tuning stability, and a bone nut contributing to accurate intonation and natural attack. Every detail, from the string tree to the wiring, is designed to deliver an authentic, reliable, and inspiring playing experience.

Delivered with its deluxe hardshell case, strap, and Custom Shop certificate of authenticity, this Fender Limited Edition Strat SH Heavy Relic is an absolutely insane and truly unique piece!!!