Summer NAMM 2019: Fender Custom Shop unveils quartet of limited-edition models

Fender’s Custom Shop has pulled the curtains back on its Mid-Year Collection. The range comprises four new limited-edition models: the ’55 Dual Mag Strat Journeyman Relic, 50s Vibra Tele Heavy Relic, Paisley Jazzmaster Journeyman Relic and Roasted Poblano Strat Relic. Only available for a short period of time, these axes also arrive with choice specs usually designated for “certain artists and master built instruments”, according to Fender.

Here are the details:

’55 Dual Mag Strat Journeyman Relic

Highlights on this vintage-leaning Strat include a two-piece ’55 select ash body, a Journeyman Relic lacquer finish as well as three hand-wound Custom Shop Dual Mag single-coils. The pickups, in particular, are stocked with Alnico 2’s – to tame treble strings – and Alnico 5’s that inject punch into the bass strings.

Other notable features on this axe include a one-piece, rift-sawn maple neck – with a ’54 Soft V-shaped profile – as well as a 7.25 to 9.5-inch compound-radius fingerboard. Rounding out its vintage appeal are ’55-style control knobs and what Fender calls “transitional” ’54 pickup covers.

50s Vibra Tele Heavy Relic

Fender has branded this axe as a “Tele lover’s dream”. Standout features include a two-piece select ash body, a thin Heavy Relic lacquer finish and a choice HS pickup combination. The pickups are a ‘50/’51 Blackguard single-coil at the bridge paired with a Seymour Duncan Seth Lover humbucker at the neck. Both pups are hooked up with Dual Stack HS Tele wiring, a component that helps them “play nicely” with each other, as Fender claims.

Along with its aforementioned ash body, this Tele also features a one-piece tinted quartersawn maple neck – with a “’57 Soft V” profile as well as a 9.5-inch-radius fingerboard. And as a neat aesthetic touch, the Tele’s body is adorned with a period-correct Black phenolic pickguard.

Paisley Jazzmaster Journeyman Relic

This Jazzmaster arrives in two classic Paisley finishes – Black and Pink – that each sport a nitro-finished Paisley pickguard. The axes’ tonewoods include a two-piece alder body – with a Journeyman Relic’d nitro lacquer finish – a ’62 Jazzmaster C-shaped rift-sawn maple neck as well as a 9.5-inch-radius rosewood fingerboard.

For electronics, Fender has opted for a pair of hand-wound Jazzmaster pickups as well as the original rhythm/lead circuit. The guitar also sports an RSD Jazzmaster bridge that’s said to provide you with both “snappy tone and perfect intonation”.

Roasted Poblano Strat Relic

This Strat is a souped-up version of Fender’s original Ancho Poblano design. It features three “spicy” hand-wound Ancho Poblano single-coils – with Vintage Modified #2 wiring – and a fat ’59 C-shaped roasted riftsawn maple neck. According to the brand, the neck wood’s roasted treatment has removed moisture for a “delicious resonance”.

Here’s an overview of the new Custom Shop collection:

More info at fendercustomshop.com.