Early Cunetto relic Strats have become quite collectible over the years.

 

Before Fender moved relic production fully in-house, the ageing work for the Custom Shop was carried out by Vince Cunetto, and these late ’90s examples have a very distinctive look and feel that many players prefer to later relics.

 

This guitar ticks the boxes you’d want to see from that era. The neck is dated 1997, stamped with the Fender Custom Shop logo and initialled by John Cruz. The body and cavities are also stamped with the Custom Shop markings consistent with the period.

 

Internally the guitar appears correct as well, with the original wiring harness, pots and pickups present along with the characteristic red dot marking on the bridge pickup.

 

The relic work overall appears consistent with Cunetto-era ageing, although the forearm wear on the body has clearly been taken further at some point and is noticeably more worn than typical examples.

 

That said, the frets remain in excellent condition and the guitar plays exactly how you’d expect from a good Custom Shop Strat.

 

These early relic Strats have a particular charm and feel that many players actively seek out, and they represent an interesting part of Fender Custom Shop history.

Very good condition overall.

 

The guitar appears to retain its original neck, body, pickups, wiring and pots, all consistent with the Cunetto-era Custom Shop instruments from the late 1990s. The relic work appears largely original, although the forearm wear on the body has been worn down further at some point.

 

Frets remain in great shape, the neck is straight and the electronics function as they should.

 

Complete with case.

https://www.youtube.com/@squealingpigguitars