New for 2023, the Fender Custom Shop introduces the ’60 Stratocaster Heavy Relic, and believe us—it’s very aptly named. The two-piece select alder body wears Heavy Relic lacquer finishes in Faded Aged Three-Color Sunburst, Aged Olympic White over Three-Color Sunburst, Aged Sonic Blue over Three-Color Sunburst and Aged Black over Three-Color Sunburst. This is the heaviest of the Relic treatments, with each imparting the look of a golden-era 1960 Strat that has not exactly been handled gingerly over six-plus decades. From seriously dinged and damaged wear to intensely discolored hardware and finish, this is a guitar that has been to Hell and back more than once; a guitar that has repeatedly been through the ringer and then some, laughing all the while even as it demands more punishment.

Classic appointments abound: Its quartersawn maple neck has an easy-playing ’60-style Oval “C” profile, topped by a flat-lam rosewood fingerboard with a 9.5” radius, 21 jumbo (6100) frets and a bone nut. Three Custom Shop hand-wound Texas Special^™ pickups brings out the best in Strat^® tone with clear highs, chirpy midrange and tight lows, along with Vintage Modified #2 wiring and a Tone-Saver bleed circuit (eliminates tone loss when volume is turned down).

Other premium features include a three-ply mint green pickguard, five-way pickup switch, Custom Shop vintage synchronized tremolo bridge, vintage-style tuners, wing string tree with tall metal spacer, deluxe hardshell case, strap and certificate of authenticity.