The “Chicago Special” 1955 Stratocaster is loaded with all of the greatest features this iconic guitar can offer. In keeping with Leo’s vision, every CME 1955 Strat features the iconic 7.25” radius, era correct plastics, and even includes a 3-way switch in the case. We hand selected the neck profile to draw on this vintage classic, and chose a rift sawn neck to enhance the resonance of the maple board. Finally, the Chicago Special pickups we’re created with Mike Lewis to ensure a balanced output across every pole piece. The Alnico 5 magnets are wrapped in 42 gauge enamel wire, and potted in shellac to recreate the round highs, and wide open frequency range of a vintage pickup. If you’re looking for the perfect vintage style stratocaster, this one's for you!

 

"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

 

• 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

Deluxe Closet Classic
Deluxe Closet Classic is a house favorite here at CME. It shows its age like a fine wine, built for those who want to more clearly feel the life of the instrument, but without all those forced dings and dents. Maintaining many of the subtleties of a traditional Closet Classic such as less brilliance to the finish, slight discoloration of plastics, and mild oxidation of metal parts, this aging package adds notably more extensive and lush finish checking that you will see and feel throughout. 

(Note. Our photographs sometimes do not capture finish checking as well as we’d like, so please get in touch with us for an in-hand description and additional photographs.)