The Fender Custom Shop ’64 Stratocaster Journeyman in Target 3-Color Sunburst represents a marriage of historic craftsmanship and modern innovation. It’s a nod to the iconic 1964 Stratocaster, a year that saw the Strat come into its own, embodying a distinct identity that would go on to shape the sound of music for generations. This guitar is a tangible testament to the Fender Custom Shop’s commitment to preserving the legacy of the past while pushing the boundaries of guitar design.
The body of this Stratocaster is crafted from Alder, a tonewood renowned for its balanced tonal response and resonance. The guitar is shaped in the classic ’65 Stratocaster mold, a form that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire guitarists worldwide with its elegance and comfort.
This Custom Shop Stratocaster features a 5/4 quarter-sawn maple neck, which ensures superb stability and a fast, smooth playing feel. It boasts a ’63 Strat Style “C” neck profile, which measures from .810″ to .970″, offering a comfortable grip for any player. The AAA Rosewood fingerboard is round laminated with a 9.50″ radius that accommodates both chord playing and string bending with ease. The guitar sports 6105 narrow/tall frets, providing a modern playing feel with a vintage appeal.
The guitar’s electronic configuration showcases hand-wound Fat ’64 Strat pickups in the bridge, middle (RWRP), and neck positions, each relic-ed to a tasteful degree. These pickups deliver the classic chime and bell-like clarity of the original ’64 Strat, but with a bit of extra girth for a fuller sonic palette. The Strat Vintage Mod #2 control setup offers a standard 5-way selector (CRL) but with a Tone-Saver Bleed on the volume pot. The Tone-Saver retains the highs when you roll of the volume. The middle control is tone for the neck and middle pups, while the lower tone pot controls the bridge pickup.
This Stratocaster’s aesthetic appeal is elevated by a Target 3-Tone Sunburst finish, applied with a nitrocellulose lacquer for an authentically vintage appearance. The finish, combined with a tastefully relic-ed nitro pickguard, and aged knobs with green numbers, gives the guitar the look of a well-loved instrument that’s seen countless stages and studio sessions.
The Fender Custom Shop ’64 Stratocaster Journeyman in Target 3-Color Sunburst is a testament to the enduring legacy of Fender’s iconic Stratocaster and the innovative craftsmanship of the Fender Custom Shop. This guitar, with its blend of historic design, modern playability, and superb craftsmanship, offers players an instrument that’s not just a piece of music history, but a tool for creating the music of the future. Whether you’re a dedicated collector, a gigging musician, or a casual player with a taste for the finer things, this ’64 Strat is a worthy addition to any guitar arsenal.
- Strat Vintage Mod #2 control setup
- 6105 narrow/tall frets
- Hand-wound Fat ’64 Strat pickups
- Alder body and 5/4 quarter-sawn maple neck
- ’63 Strat Style “C” neck profile