Fender Custom Shop 65 Stratocaster Relic Ebony Transparent

A High-End Reinterpretation of the 65 Strat Spirit

This 65 Strat does not aim to exactly replicate a classic vintage Strat. It takes its visual and ergonomic DNA and brings it into a more exclusive territory with a relic finish, a flamed Ebony Transparent top, a construction without a pickguard, and a much less conventional three P-90 configuration.
Its place in a Custom-type range is clear: this is an instrument with character, designed for the musician who loves Fender's 60s codes but wants a more assertive, textured, and visually rare sound. The combination of chrome and nickel, the matching painted neck, and the aged aesthetic further enhance this personality.

For Which Guitarist and Styles?

This guitar is mainly aimed at the intermediate to advanced player who wants to step away from the usual Strat without losing a familiar feel. The modern C neck profile, 22 medium jumbo 6150 frets, 9.5" / 241 mm radius, and vintage locking tuners make it comfortable for daily use, both for rhythm playing and soloing.
Its natural terrain includes blues, rock, indie, energetic pop, garage, and alternative. The P-90s provide more grit, bite, and density than a more traditional set of Strat single coils, while maintaining good definition. It's an excellent choice for the guitarist seeking a more organic, muscular, and less smooth voice.

Three P-90s, a Gritty Tone, and a Very Expressive Response

The sonic heart of this 65 Strat lies in its trio of Fender Custom P-90 pickups. The neck pickup promises full, open, and singing tones, ideal for blues lines, familiar arpeggios, and thick leads. The middle and bridge positions, here assigned to bridge models, offer more attack, greater presence in the upper mids, and excellent ability to cut through the mix.
The okoumé body provides a responsive and warm foundation, often appreciated for its relative lightness and lively midrange. The flamed AA grade top adds a premium visual touch. The targeted result is a sound that breathes, with a clear attack and a great sense of dynamics under the pick.
The electronics further enhance this versatility. The 5-position CRL selector, 500k potentiometers, and S-1 switch allow going beyond usual combinations, with options indicated for series and parallel. This yields a palette ranging from tight snap to a thicker, more compact register, without sacrificing the rough and expressive personality unique to P-90s.

Recommended Compatible Accessories

The safest accessories to recommend here are a set of electric guitar strings in 10-46 gauge, as this is the gauge mounted from the factory, as well as a standard strap compatible with classic strap buttons, since the instrument is not equipped with strap locks. A 6.35 mm mono jack cable will also work perfectly to use the Strat-style output. The included hard case of the Strat/Tele type is already provided, so there is no need to add one by default.

Technical specifications

Base model	65 Strat	Nut width	1.650" / 41.9 mm
Body	okoumé 8/4	Heel width	2.200" / 55.9 mm
Top	flamed AA grade	Thickness at 1st fret	0.820" / 20.8 mm
Controls	rear-mounted, without pickguard	Thickness at 12th fret	0.870" / 22.1 mm
Color	Aged Ebony Transparent	Nut	bone
Type	65 Strat closet classic relic	Headstock style	small
Neck finishing	Nitrocellulose	Head scoop	60
Neck	3A flamed roasted maple	Headstock thickness	0.575" / 14.6 mm
Key	AAA flamed roasted maple	Tuners	vintage closet classic locking
Key construction	Flat Lam	Key markers	white micarta 0.250" / 6.35 mm
Truss rod	RW	Marker spacing	Narrow
Truss rod type	Early 60's	Side markers	white micarta 0.078" / 1.98 mm
Number of frets	22	Neck binding	no
Frets	medium jumbo 6150	Headstock binding	no
Profile	modern C	Neck attachment	4 screws
Radius	9.5" / 241.3 mm