In short: this is a killer Custom Shop Strat - vintage spirit, modern edge, and totally dialed in.

To cut to the chase, this is one of our favorite Custom Shop Strats to come through the shop in a long time. Why? Let's start with the aesthetic: a Duncan humbucker in the bridge with a black surround, a plugged volume knob hole, and a streamlined single volume/tone control setup. It has that “lived-in and modded” vibe we love - like an old Fender someone customized to suit their own playing style.

But looks only go so far, right? This guitar just feels alive - resonant, responsive, and inspiring - from the first strum. The 11/56 Off Center V neck profile is a standout, especially if you lean toward vintage-style Fender necks that start slender and taper into a fuller feel as you move up the board.

And plugged in? It’s everything we want in a modern HSS Strat. Often, this layout can feel disjointed - stringy single coils paired with a bridge humbucker that hits like a sledgehammer. But this one nails the balance. The humbucker adds punch and midrange without overwhelming the set, and even in position 2, you still get that classic Strat “cluck.”