1958 was the final year of the original one-piece maple neck before Leo Fender switched to a glued-on “slab” rosewood fingerboard, which significantly changed the look and tone of Fender instruments. Many players swear by the one-piece maple for its tone and stability, which is what makes 1958 such a sought-after year for the Strat. The ’58 Strat Relic is a nod to that year in all its glory, with several custom mods. A two-piece select alder body (ash on natural blonde finish model) wears a Relic lacquer finish, while the resonant one-piece quartersawn maple neck has a comfortable 1954-style “soft V” profile, 9.5 fingerboard radius and 21 narrow tall (6105) frets.

Custom Shop hand-wound Fat ’50s pickups (with reverse-wound/reverse polarity middle pickup) are connected to Vintage Modified #2 wiring with Tone-Saver bleed circuitry and five-way switching, creating a thick, balanced tone at any volume. Other features include a single-ply eggshell pickguard, Custom Shop vintage synchronized tremolo, vintage-style tuning machines, bone nut, and wing string tree. Also includes deluxe hardshell case, strap and certificate of authenticity.