2000 Fender Strsatocaster (1956 reissue) Fiesta Red
Description
Moe's Guitar Shop
726 Lafayette Ave
Hawthorne, NJ 07506
(347) 893-0195
www.moesguitarshop.com
Official Maton Dealer
Read Carefully!
2000 Fender Custom Shop '56 Start with a 12" radius and an INCORRECT SERIAL #. Yes, you read that correctly "An Incorrect Serial #".
History: The instrument was purchased in a package of guitars I bought from a Dealer Liquidating Inventory about 3 years ago. Upon inspection we noticed J Cruz stamped on the neck heel.
About John Cruz: John Cruz started his career with Fender in 1987 and in 2003 became a Master Builder. John parted ways with Fender in 2020. Since John's departure from Fender anything with his name attached has gained value. My understanding is that the J Cruz Stamp signifies either a team built guitar or was Inspected by John Cruz, however this is not a Master Built.
Contacting Fender: As on all preowned Custom Shop instruments we contact the manufacturer. Well, this one came back as a surprise. The Shop Traveler Fender returned went to a 51 Nocaster from 2005. I then contacted the selling Dealer who stated his tech at the time must have mixed up Neck Plates. OK, but if the Nocaster was sold I would think at some point in time the owner would notice they too have the wrong serial #. If you have my neck plate feel free to contact me because I have yours #R4462.
What it is: 2000 Fender Custom Shop '56 Relic Stratocaster with a 12" radius heavily Flamed Maple Neck weighing 7 Lbs. 11 Oz's.
Mods: The instrument has been in my personal collection for the past 3 years. I ditched the Fender Bridge Saddles for Highwood Saddles which are a major improvement. The instrument came with a newer CTS Wiring Harness. I then added a Ilitch Noise Cancelling Back Plate. The Itlich Dummy Coil is The Best way to Silence your Single Coil Pickups without degrading your Tone.
Pickups: Appear to be Original Custom Shop Pickups and most likely Fat 50's which were most commonly used in '56 and '59 Reissues during this period. Reference ChatGPT.
COA: Because there isn't a COA or Correct Neck Plate it is currently impossible to pull a Shop Traveler, however I am hoping the person that has The Noscaster with my Neck Plate contacts me to swap.
Case: The instrument came with its Custom Shop Case with its Original Back Plate, Ash Try Cover and a Wildwood dust cloth. Does that cloth provide a clue? I don't know. Can it be a Wildwood Strat? Possibly. The fret board radius and neck grain make it a bit more special that the typical 9.5 radius, straight grain CS Strats.
Value: I believe the instrument has more value than it is being sold at, but you need to be a Treasure Hunter to Track down the neck plate. The Thrill of the Hunt is always more fun then The Catch.
Condition: We just did a complete set up using straight edges and feeler gauges to insure consistent action. The instrument is stamped relic, so expect cosmetic imperfections. The neck is straight and true with a fully functional truss rod. The instrument does show some fret wear, but plays perfectly across all 6 strings up and down the neck. I have additional photos available upon request.
726 Lafayette Ave
Hawthorne, NJ 07506
(347) 893-0195
www.moesguitarshop.com
Official Maton Dealer
Read Carefully!
2000 Fender Custom Shop '56 Start with a 12" radius and an INCORRECT SERIAL #. Yes, you read that correctly "An Incorrect Serial #".
History: The instrument was purchased in a package of guitars I bought from a Dealer Liquidating Inventory about 3 years ago. Upon inspection we noticed J Cruz stamped on the neck heel.
About John Cruz: John Cruz started his career with Fender in 1987 and in 2003 became a Master Builder. John parted ways with Fender in 2020. Since John's departure from Fender anything with his name attached has gained value. My understanding is that the J Cruz Stamp signifies either a team built guitar or was Inspected by John Cruz, however this is not a Master Built.
Contacting Fender: As on all preowned Custom Shop instruments we contact the manufacturer. Well, this one came back as a surprise. The Shop Traveler Fender returned went to a 51 Nocaster from 2005. I then contacted the selling Dealer who stated his tech at the time must have mixed up Neck Plates. OK, but if the Nocaster was sold I would think at some point in time the owner would notice they too have the wrong serial #. If you have my neck plate feel free to contact me because I have yours #R4462.
What it is: 2000 Fender Custom Shop '56 Relic Stratocaster with a 12" radius heavily Flamed Maple Neck weighing 7 Lbs. 11 Oz's.
Mods: The instrument has been in my personal collection for the past 3 years. I ditched the Fender Bridge Saddles for Highwood Saddles which are a major improvement. The instrument came with a newer CTS Wiring Harness. I then added a Ilitch Noise Cancelling Back Plate. The Itlich Dummy Coil is The Best way to Silence your Single Coil Pickups without degrading your Tone.
Pickups: Appear to be Original Custom Shop Pickups and most likely Fat 50's which were most commonly used in '56 and '59 Reissues during this period. Reference ChatGPT.
COA: Because there isn't a COA or Correct Neck Plate it is currently impossible to pull a Shop Traveler, however I am hoping the person that has The Noscaster with my Neck Plate contacts me to swap.
Case: The instrument came with its Custom Shop Case with its Original Back Plate, Ash Try Cover and a Wildwood dust cloth. Does that cloth provide a clue? I don't know. Can it be a Wildwood Strat? Possibly. The fret board radius and neck grain make it a bit more special that the typical 9.5 radius, straight grain CS Strats.
Value: I believe the instrument has more value than it is being sold at, but you need to be a Treasure Hunter to Track down the neck plate. The Thrill of the Hunt is always more fun then The Catch.
Condition: We just did a complete set up using straight edges and feeler gauges to insure consistent action. The instrument is stamped relic, so expect cosmetic imperfections. The neck is straight and true with a fully functional truss rod. The instrument does show some fret wear, but plays perfectly across all 6 strings up and down the neck. I have additional photos available upon request.