Fender Masterbuilt Jason Smith 1968 Michael Landau Stratocaster Black/Relic (USED, 2018)

Jason Smith + Michael Landau. If you're a Strat diehard, you already know those names carry serious weight. And if not, consider this your homework. In a world overflowing with Stratocasters, it’s easy to lose sight of what makes one stand out. That’s fair - the original design is so good that even modestly built examples can sound and feel great.

But when a Masterbuilder like Jason Smith, a guy who literally grew up inside Fender (his dad was Fender icon, Dan Smith), teams up with a tone icon like Michael Landau, the results are something else entirely. This Masterbuilt ’68 Stratocaster has the vibe, the feel, and the responsiveness that separates the exceptional from the merely great - and that’s all before you even plug it in.

One standout detail is Landau’s asymmetrical Oval C neck profile. With a fuller shoulder on the bass side and a slimmer feel on the treble side, it mirrors the natural shape of your fretting hand. It’s intuitive and incredibly comfortable, though players used to perfectly symmetrical necks might need a moment to adjust. Plugged in, the Custom Shop Fat ’50s pickups deliver exactly what you'd hope for: big, round, punchy tones with none of the brittle edge some Strats can carry. If you’ve ever questioned whether a Strat can hit hard and still sound refined, Landau’s playing (and this guitar) is your answer.

If you're chasing boutique-level refinement in a Custom Shop build, or you're simply a fan of Michael Landau's expressive, unmistakable tone - this Masterbuilt ’68 is one worth knowing by name.