Fender Custom Shop AO25-62 56 STRAT REL MN UMB #R147760

A "56 Strat": the golden age of the Stratocaster revisited in Custom Shop style

The 1956 vintage is one of the iconic eras of the Stratocaster: an already legendary design, conceived for the stage, with an ergonomics and clarity that defined modern electric guitar playing. This "56 Strat" retains these hallmarks (vintage hardware, '54-'58-style controls, traditional tremolo), while adding a highly distinctive personality: relic for its lived-in character, Ultra Marine Blue for its visual signature, and a reverse headstock that changes both the feel and the aesthetics.

Which guitarists and styles is it suited to?

This Strat is aimed primarily at intermediate to advanced guitarists looking for a genuine "old school" response under the fingers: a firm attack, nuanced pick dynamics, and an instrument that reacts immediately to volume and playing intensity. It excels in blues, vintage rock, surf, country, funk and pop ; and remains highly convincing whenever you are after a lively clean tone, a punchy crunch or expressive lead sounds without excessive compression.

50s-style tone: dynamics, clarity and "Strat" character

The 2-piece alder body delivers a typically balanced response: present mids, a clear low end and highs that retain their sparkle without becoming harsh. Combined with a lacquer finishing (nitro-style) and a vintage tremolo, it provides a fast response, with an "acoustic" feel to the touch that encourages natural sustain.

On the electronics side, the vintage '54-'58 Strat setup with a 5-way CRL selector switch and 250K potentiometers is designed for versatility: crisp, scooped in-between positions, a round and singing neck pickup, and a more biting bridge pickup for rhythms that need to cut through the mix. The "50s Strat" pickups (neck/middle/bridge) emphasize dynamics and definition: you can go from a crystalline sound to a richly textured crunch simply with your picking hand and the volume knob.

Recommended compatible accessories

The guitar is fitted with 10-46 gauge strings (010-013-017-026-036-046): you can stick with this gauge to preserve the balance of the vintage tremolo and the playing feel originally intended. A 10-46 set of electric guitar strings is therefore a safe choice, as is a quality 6.35 mm jack cable to preserve the clarity and dynamics typical of the 50s.

Technical specifications

Category	ST	Nbrs of frets	21
Left handed	No	Scalloped	Double
Strings	Steel	Body	Alder
Nbr of strings	6	Electronics	Passive
Fingerboard	Maple	Hardware	Chromed

Base model	56 Strat	Nut width	1.650" / 41.9 mm
Format	56 Strat	Butt width	2.200" / 55.9 mm
Construction	2-piece	Headstock thickness	0.575" / 14.6 mm
Neck attachment	4 screws (4-bolt)	Face dots	Black Micarta 0.250" / 6.35 mm (wide spacing)
Body finishing	lacquer (LAC)	Side dots	Black Micarta 3/32" / 2.38 mm
Color	Ultra Marine Blue	Nut	bone
Pickguard	54-58 Strat White Pearl	Note	matching painted headcap
Type	56 Strat CC/Rel	Hardware (plating)	chrome/nickel
Reverse headstock	yes	Original strings	010-013-017-026-036-046
Truss rod	50's type	Selector switch	5-way CRL blade switch
Number of frets	21	Potentiometers	250K 10% taper split
Radius	7.25" / 184 mm	Neck pickup	50's Strat NK/MID Relic
Profile	10/56 " V "	Middle pickup	50's Strat NK/MID Relic
Neck thickness at 1st fret	0.880" / 22.4 mm	Bridge pickup	50's Strat BRG Relic
Neck thickness at 12th fret	0.980" / 24.9 mm