Fender 56 Strat FRD Journeyman Relic
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Fender
56 Strat FRD Journeyman Relic
Product Info
Article Number:
598801
Brand:
Fender
Model:
56 Strat FRD Journeyman Relic
Category:
ST Style Guitars
Price:
$5,608.90
* Prices may vary. Check retailer for current pricing and availability.
This is a seriously cool Strat, capturing the vibe of a vintage '56 beautifully. The neck profile takes some getting used to, but the hand-wound pickups are creamy and articulate—perfect for players chasing that classic Fender tone and aesthetic. It's a premium-priced instrument ideal for dedicated Strat enthusiasts and collectors.
Product Description
- Fender 56 Strat FRD Journeyman Relic
- Electric Guitar
- Custom Shop model
- Body: Alder
- Neck: Bolt-on quartersawn
- maple
- Fingerboard: Maple
- Black dot fingerboard inlays
- Neck profile: 10/'56 “V” - neck thickness at 1st fret: 22 mm
- at 12th fret: 25 mm
- Fingerboard radius: 241 mm
- Scale: 648 mm (25.5")
- 21 Vintage frets
- Nut width: 42.9 mm
- Pickups: 3 hand-wound Custom ‘56 Strat single coils
- 1 Volume and 2 tone controls
- 5-Way switch
- '56 Strat Relic pickguard
- American Vintage Strat tremolo
- Nickel hardware
- Fender vintage machine heads
- Strings: .010 - .046
- Nitrocellulose lacquer
- Finish: Journeyman Relic
- Colour: Fiesta Red
- Includes vintage-tweed case
- made in USA
PROS
- • Quartersawn neck provides exceptional stability and clarity in tone.
- • Hand-wound '56 Strat pickups deliver authentic, bell-like vintage character.
- • Bolt-on neck construction yields a snappy, responsive feel and attack.
- • Journeyman Relic finish replicates aged aesthetics without compromising playability.
CONS
- • The Relic finish, while aesthetically pleasing, may not appeal to all players.
- • The '56 V-neck profile is polarizing; might not suit modern players' preferences.
- • High-end price point places it out of reach for many aspiring guitarists.
Product Video
Key Features
Body Material
Alder
Neck Material
Quartersawn Maple
Fingerboard
Maple with Black Dot Inlays
Pickups
3 Hand-Wound Custom '56 Strat Single Coils
Scale Length
648 mm (25.5")
Frets
21 Vintage
Bridge
American Vintage Strat Tremolo
Weight
Approximately 8.5 lbs (estimated)
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Frequently Asked Questions
The '56 V-neck is noticeably thinner and more rounded than the '60s or '70s C profiles, offering a more vintage feel but requiring an adjustment for some.
The vintage tremolo is functional, but not designed for extreme dives; it's best suited for subtle vibrato and vintage-style playing.
The Journeyman Relic process aims for authenticity, but it’s a replication—it won't have the same accumulated wear and unique characteristics of a decades-old guitar.
