Fender Custom Shop 1965 Stratocaster “Chicago Special” Relic Faded/Aged 3-Color Sunburst w/Roasted Bound Neck Fender

It is no secret that the Fender Custom Shop has been creating the best instruments since 1987. In keeping with the true spirit of Leo’s original vision of the company, each instrument is built with the highest level of care and excellence. Here at Chicago Music Exchange, we have collaborated with the best minds at Fender to build the best instruments from top to bottom, tirelessly going over each spec to ensure that we offer you the best of what Fender has to offer.  

Featuring measurements and components we hand-selected from across history, our “Chicago Special” Fender Custom Shop guitars highlight important years in the development of core models like the Stratocaster, Telecaster and more. We capture the energy and essence of their respective eras with iconic fingerboard radii and period-correct plastics, matched headstocks and slab fingerboards, classic finishes and not-so-classic colorways. But that’s just the beginning of what makes our Fender Custom Shop guitars so special. We take customization a step further with rift sawn necks for added resonance and expanded control sets for tonal versatility, and every “Chicago Special” Fender Custom Shop guitar features our own custom Chicago Special pickups, designed in conjunction with Fender Custom Shop Vice President of Product Development Mike Lewis. 

“Chicago Special” Strat pickups: 

• Calibrated set – bridge to neck – for balanced output
• Each pickup as custom AlNiCo 5 magnet stagger for optimum output balance string-to-string 42 gauge enamel wire for round highs
• Potted in shellac for open wide range frequency response

Model Number: 9237100390
Serial Number: R109531
Finish Package: Relic
Case: Fender Custom Shop Brown
Weight: 7lbs 12.5oz

Body Wood: Alder, 2-Piece
Body Color: Aged 3-Color Sunburst
Body Finish: Nitro Lacquer
Sort for Lightweight: Yes

Hardware Plating: Nickel/Chrome
Bridge Assembly: American Vintage Strat Bridge
Output Assembly: Vintage Strat
Control Assembly: Strat 1/2 Blender
Neck Plate: R Serial Vintage
Back Plate & Trem Cover: Parchment
Tremolo Arm: Vintage Upgraded ’60s
Tremolo Arm Tip: Vintage White
Tuner Keys: Vintage w/Fender Logo
String Guide: American Vintage 59-64
String Gauge: .010-.046

Neck Assembly: 65 Strat 9.5R
Neck Finish: Nitro Lacquer, Medium Tint
Neck Blank: Roasted Maple Rift Sawn
Fingerboard: Rosewood AAA 9mm
Sort for Dark Fingerboard: Yes
Fingerboard Binding: Parchment .060 x .280
Truss Rod: 60s
Head Style: Small
Neck Head Thickness: 0.575″
Neck Scoop: 60
Dot Spacing: Narrow
Face Dot: Mother of Pearl 7mm
Side Dot: Micarta Black 3/32″
Fret Wire: 50085
Number of Frets: 21
Fingerboard Radius: 9.50″
Neck Back Shape: 60 Style Oval “C”
Neck Nut Width: 1.650″
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: .790″
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: .930″
Neck Butt Width: 2.200″
Nut Material: Bone
Number of Bolts: 4-Bolt
Head Cap Decal: 65 Strat
Neck Notes: Relic Fingerboard, Heavy Relic Neck Back

Pickguard: 3-Ply Parchment, 63-69 Strat, Nitro
Pickup Neck: Hand Wound “Chicago Special” Neck
Pickup Middle: Hand Wound “Chicago Special” Middle RWRP
Pickup Bridge: Hand Wound “Chicago Special” Bridge
Pickup Covers: Vintage White
Control Knobs: Vintage White Small Font Tone/Volume
Selector Switch Tip: Vintage White
Capacitors: Wax Paper Caps
Pots: 250K 10% Taper Split
Switch: 5-Way Selector (3-Way included in case)