If a more modern spin on a classic Strat is something that interests you, the 1960 “Chicago Special” Stratocaster is for you. The 1960’s were a period of innovation, so we honored the spirit of the time by including a 9’5” radius (a modern upgrade) and a the Fender ½ blender which allows you to blend in the neck pickup in the 1st and 2nd position by way of the first tone knob. The slab rosewood fretboard is joined to a rift sawn maple neck to enhance the resonance of the neck. 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.

"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

NOS (New Old Stock) is built without any relic or wear at all. For vintage-inspired instruments, it feels as if you went back in time and bought it new in the golden-era. Most are finished with nitrocellulose lacquer and in those instances you should expect the finish to age similarly to their vintage counterparts. However, some modern-era Custom Shop creations in NOS are finished in polyurethane, which is far more durable and will likely remain glossy and lustrous for decades to come with proper care.