Fender Custom Shop 1956 Stratocaster Relic Built by John Cruz Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (2000), made in Corona, CA, black finish, alder body, maple neck, original tweed hard shell case.
This Stratocaster is a fairly early Fender Custom Shop rendition of a custom color 1956 model built by esteemed Master Builder John Cruz. This instrument dates to 2000 and was owned and used as a touring instrument by Peter Svensson, principal songwriter of Swedish band the Cardigans in the early 2000s.
This is a straightforward reissue of a 1956 Stratocaster, with accurate-to-the-original construction and hardware. The black finish on the alder body is a thin lacquer with small factory dings and dents; it recalls the famous black '55 Stratocaster used by Howard Reed with Gene Vincent now owned by Joe Bonamassa. The medium-chunky neck contour is an accurate rendition of the "soft V" that was becoming common aa 1956 rolled on. The pickups, electronics and hardware are 1956 spec down to the 3-way switch and 5-spring trem setup.
There is no Custom Shop documentation with this guitar but the instrument itself carries copious internal markings documenting its construction. The neck is dated with an Oct 4 2000 ink stamp, additionally ink stamped "JC"; there is also a "RELIC" hard stamp a "relic only" pencil script as well as additional small date and reference penciling. The body is hard stamped "REL" in the neck pocket, "56 RELIC" in the neck pickup cavity and "RELIC" under the pickguard, the underside of which has a handwritten date of 11-13-00 just behind the neck pickup. "JCOA" is hard stamped at the top of the trem cavity, with "REL" under the neckplate. This is a superbly done reissue and a great sounding Strat; a fine example of the best work the Fender Custom Shop turned out.
This guitar was previously owned and played on tour by Peter Svensson of the Swedish pop band the Cardigans in 2005-6. Svensson is a Swedish record producer, songwriter, and musician, formerly the main songwriter and guitarist for the Cardigans and the co-author of their international hit "Lovefool". Since leaving the band he has written and produced songs for numerous international artists including The Weekend, Ariana Grande, Ellie Goulding and One Direction. No COA or paperwork is included with the guitar but the battered original case is still clearly marked "The Cardigans 9 of 26"with labels and freight stickers from the Svensson's touring days with the band.
Overall length is 39 in. (99.1 cm.), 13 in. (33 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 1/2 in. (648 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This guitar has a decent amount of wear overall, but as it was constructed as a "relic" it is difficult to say how much of it was artificially induced and how much is actual touring wear. The fingerboard wear looks artificial, while the belt buckle wear on the back seems more authentic. The guitar remains original as built with no repairs or alterations, the frets show some light wear but still play fine. This is a nice early Custom shop guitar built by one of the best regarded Fender artisans of the time with an authentic touring history. It still rests in the original tweed HSC, very battered from road use and festooned with stickers and markings from its Cardigans touring days. Excellent - Condition.
