Fender Custom Shop 1955 Compound Radius Stratocaster LTD NAMM 2025 Dirty White Blonde/Journeyman

As the name hints, you’re getting a compound radius neck (7 1/4"–9 1/2") with a comfy ’54 U profile (.90"–.97") and 6105 frets. On paper it’s a slightly fuller carve, but in hand it feels incredibly comfortable thanks to the way the carve, radius, nut width, and string spacing all work together. It’s a classic ’50s feel without any extra bulk (it actually feels a lot like a real mid-'50s Strat).

From the first few riffs and single-note runs, we were struck by how lively and resonant this guitar is. You feel it vibrating against your chest and in your fretting hand - the body and neck working as one.

Plugged in, it’s got that open, chimey tone you want from a great ’50s Strat - somewhere between Strat sparkle and Tele snap - while the Fat ’50s pickups bring a touch more output and low-end. It’s a setup that rewards players who work their right-hand dynamics and controls to pull every bit of expression from the guitar. Great stuff.