Used 1992 Fender Custom Shop 56 Stratocaster Masterbuilt by JW Black in Vintage Blonde 0354

This Used 1992 Fender Custom Shop 56 Stratocaster Masterbuilt by J W Black in Vintage Blonde is here on consignment. It is in great shape, especially for its age. The neck is straight, the frets are still crowned, and the truss rod functions properly. Included with the guitar are the original hardshell case and certificate of authenticity. 

“In May of 1989, John Page hired J.W. to work at Fender Custom Shop, which was still in its infancy. “It was kind of an unknown of what it was going to be,” J.W. reflected. During his time at the shop, J.W. helped bring the art of relicing guitars to Fender and worked with some of the best-known musicians in the world–from Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck, to the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan.

Since his departure from Fender, Black has continued to paint instruments, restore pre-1969 Fender guitars for a few select vintage guitar dealers, and build traditionally influenced, Fender-style instruments with modern touches for Japanese releases.”

This is a very early example from the Custom Shop before they started using the term “Masterbuilder”. JW Black pieces have gone on to be highly prized as he was instrumental (heh hehe) in making the Custom Shop what it is today! 

The wood selection on this guitar is top-notch. The neck, in particular, is beautiful! Made from highly figured maple, this neck looks as good as it feels. It is carved to a 10/56 profile and measures .865″ deep at the 1st fret and .992″ deep at the 12th. The 10/56 starts out with a noticeable 5 in the 1st position which morphs into a U around the 7th to 9th frets. The frets are Vintage Style and the fingerboard radius is 9.5″. Classic Fender appointments like 25.5″ scale length and 1.65″ nut width give it an instantly familiar feel. 

The original trio of Stratocaster Pickups is still installed in this guitar. The bridge measures 7.28k, the middle 6.75k, and the neck 5.98k. They have that early Strat sound but with a less of that decidedly clean thang’ the 54 Strat Pickups produce. Paired with a Swamp Ash Body, these pickups produce a bright, biting tone that will sit in the mix with out a lot of fuss. A master volume, 2 tone controls, and a 5-way pickup selector switch round out the electronic details. 

Specs

• Fender Custom Shop
• Made in 1992
• Masterbuilt by JW Black
• 1956 Stratocaster
• Vintage Blonde Finish
• Weighs 7 lbs 4 oz
• Swamp Ash Body Material
• Highly Figured Maple Neck Material
• 10/56 Neck Profile
• .865″ deep at 1st Fret
• .992″ deep at 12th Fret
• 9.5″ Fingerboard Radius
• Vintage Style Frets
• 1.65″ Nut Width
• 25.5″ Scale Length
• Stratocaster Pickup Set
• B 7.28k/M 6.75k/N 5.98k
• Master Volume
• 2 x Tone Controls
• 5-Way Pickup Selector
• Certificate of Authenticity
• Original Hardshell Case