Fender Stratocaster Custom Shop: Which Model to Buy

If you're weighing a fender stratocaster custom shop model, the first thing to settle is what you're paying for: a different guitar, or the same Strat with more finish and build attention. Owners disagree on that, and the split is useful to know.

The short answer: if you want a worn, vintage-style Strat, start with the relic and new old stock (NOS) listings below. If you mainly want a Strat that plays well and the price matters more, you may not need a Custom Shop model at all. Our top pick for the vintage look is the Late-1962 Stratocaster Relic, and the alternative is the Vintage Custom 1959 Stratocaster NOS if you want that look without the used market.

How we researched

We compared eight Amazon listings for vintage-style Stratocasters, the Wikipedia entry on the Fender Custom Shop, a dealer page that lists 28 Custom Shop Stratocasters, and two discussion threads where owners talk about whether the extra money is worth it. We read the listing names, listed price tiers and the owner comments in those threads. This guide compares products using manufacturer specifications, current Amazon listings and owner reviews; we did not test them hands-on.

What the Custom Shop is

The Fender Custom Shop is a division of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, housed in Corona, California. It produces special-order guitars through a dealer network and creates limited-edition instruments. Wikipedia notes that some artist models are tagged 'Master Built' and 'Team Built', and that Master Built instruments are hand-crafted under the supervision of one luthier. That tag is the detail most buyers miss: a Custom Shop name does not mean every guitar went through the same process. The Wikipedia article itself flags that it needs more citations, so treat its history as a starting point.

Buying criteria, in order of weight

1. Build tier. Check whether the listing says Master Built, Team Built or a production model.
2. Finish. Relic means a deliberately aged finish. Wikipedia describes relic treatment as wear patterns copied from a noted player's guitar, with varying degrees of ageing. NOS refers to a new old stock finish.
3. Price band. All three picks below sit in the over $300 tier.
4. Owner feedback on feel and consistency.

How we chose

We ranked the picks by the criteria above, in that order. The evidence is Amazon listing names and listed price tiers, Wikipedia for how the Custom Shop is organized, and two forum threads for owner opinion. Owner views come from a small sample, so they are opinions, not measurements. No hands-on testing was done. We will update this guide when listings or price tiers change.

The site may earn a commission if you buy through the links below, and the price does not change for you.

Pick 1: Late-1962 Stratocaster Relic

Best for buyers who want a worn 1960s look on a new guitar. The listing is the Late-1962 Stratocaster Relic Electric Guitar with Closet Classic Hardware, and it sits in the over $300 tier. The 'relic' name tells you the finish is aged on purpose. The listing name also mentions closet classic hardware, which the material we had does not define, so read the listing before you assume what it includes.

Drawback: the name does not show how heavy the wear is or how the neck feels. Judge the finish from the listing photos, not the title.

Pick 2: American Custom Stratocaster

Best for players who want a Stratocaster without an aged look. The American Custom Stratocaster is in the over $300 tier, and its name does not claim an aged finish.

Drawback: the name suggests an American build, but the listing text we had does not confirm where it was made. Check the listing before you buy, because the origin matters to how buyers judge a Strat's value.

Pick 3: Vintage Custom 1959 Stratocaster NOS

Best for buyers who want a new old stock look without buying a guitar that is decades old. The Vintage Custom 1959 Stratocaster NOS Electric Guitar is in the over $300 tier.

Drawback: NOS describes the finish, not the age of the guitar. Owners in the forum threads warn that older guitars are now selling at Custom Shop prices, so a new NOS-finished guitar avoids that used-market risk but does not make it vintage.

At a glance

Where owners disagree

The Myles Paul forum thread on newer Custom Shop Strats shows the split clearly. One poster says the components are basically the same across price points and that a Squier can sound as good. Another says fit, finish and feel cannot be compared that way. A third says current Custom Shop models are extremely good, and the regular production models are too. The same thread notes that pre-CBS guitars are now expensive on the used market and that the market is flooded with fakes. These are opinions from a small sample, but the split is the finding: whether the premium is worth it depends on what you value.

How to choose

• If you want a worn vintage look, pick the Late-1962 Stratocaster Relic.
• If you want a clean finish with no aged look, pick the American Custom Stratocaster, after confirming its origin on the listing.
• If you want a vintage-style finish without used-market risk, pick the Vintage Custom 1959 Stratocaster NOS.
• If the Custom Shop tag or a price over $300 does not feel worth it, a standard Strat or a Squier may fit you better. Owners split on this, so try one in a shop if you can.
• If you are shopping for a first bass rather than a Strat, see our Best Beginner Electric Bass Guitar: Picks by Budget guide.

FAQ

Are Custom Shop Stratocasters worth the extra money? Owners disagree. A Reddit thread asking Custom Shop owners that exact question shows the same debate. Decide based on the criteria above: build tier, finish and price, rather than the name alone.

Is a Squier as good as a Custom Shop Strat? One forum poster says a Squier can sound just as good, while others say fit, finish and feel differ. The material we had does not include a side-by-side test, so we cannot give a verdict on sound.

How many Custom Shop Stratocasters are available? One dealer's Custom Shop Stratocaster page lists 28 products, which shows how many variants exist. Compare the build tier and finish on each listing rather than the model name.

Conclusion

For most buyers, the fender stratocaster custom shop question comes down to finish and build tier. Start with the Late-1962 Stratocaster Relic if you want a worn look, the American Custom Stratocaster if you want a clean finish, and the Vintage Custom 1959 Stratocaster NOS if you want a new old stock finish. Check each listing for what it includes, and read the owner split before paying over $300.

Sources

• Fender Custom Shop, Wikipedia
• Fender Custom Shop Stratocasters, The Music Emporium
• How are the newer Custom Shop Strats? Are they worth it, Myles Paul forum
• Discussion: Current and former Fender Custom Shop, Reddit