FENDER USA CS 62' Reissue Strat Hvy Relic "Candy Apple Red + Rosewood" (2026)
Specs
• Model: Fender Custom Shop 1962 Stratocaster Heavy Relic
• Finish: Candy Apple Red
• Finish Type / Ageing: Heavy Relic lacquer
• Body: 2 piece select alder
• Neck: Quartersawn maple
• Neck Profile: '60s Oval C
• Scale Length: 25.5"
• Fingerboard: 3A rosewood
• Fingerboard Radius: 9.5"
• Frets: 21 narrow tall (6105)
• Nut: Bone
• Pickup Configuration: SSS
• Pickups: Custom Shop hand wound '60/'63 Strat single coils, reverse wound reverse polarity middle
• Electronics: Vintage Modified Strat wiring
• Switching: 5 way
• Bridge: 6 saddle vintage style synchronised tremolo with bent steel saddles
• Tuners: Vintage style with Fender logo
• Pickguard: 3 ply mint green
• Hardware: Nickel / chrome, Heavy Relic aged
• Country: USA
• Year: 2026Personal Thoughts
Candy Apple Red, a mint green guard and a rosewood board is the poster early 60s Strat. It is the look most people picture when they think of a pre CBS Strat, and an original in that colour is now serious money and a nervous purchase. A Custom Shop Heavy Relic gives you the road worn look without any of the worry.
The '62 sits right in the heart of the early 60s Strat story, and the neck reflects that. A quartersawn maple neck with the '60s Oval C back shape fills the hand nicely without being chunky, and pairing it with a 9.5" radius and 6105 narrow tall frets means bends and vibrato are easier than on a pure 7.25" vintage spec board.
The hand wound '60/'63 pickups are the Custom Shop recipe people actually want. Glassy and bell like in the neck, proper quack in positions two and four thanks to the reverse wound reverse polarity middle, and enough bite in the bridge to cut through a band. Compared with a Dual Mag II this is the straighter, more traditional Strat voice.
The Heavy Relic treatment suits Candy Apple Red perfectly, with worn edges, a played in neck and aged hardware completing the picture. It is a guitar that looks like it has done thirty years of gigs but plays like it has just left Corona.
Condition Report
Mint / as new. US overseas import, never played. All of the wear you see is factory Heavy Relic ageing applied by the Fender Custom Shop, and there is no additional wear beyond it.
Part exchange welcome
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https://www.youtube.com/@squealingpigguitars
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