Description

Famed Master Builder John Cruz started at Fender's Custom Shop in 1987. During his time at Fender, he created some of the most recognizable reproductions of, well, some of the most recognizable and iconic guitars in the world: SRV's Number One Strat, Gary Moore's '61 Fiesta Red Strat, Jeff Beck's Esquire, and John Mayer's Black 1 Strat. 

All this to say, when a Cruz Masterbuilt guitar crosses your path, it's a big deal. Judging from the specs on this 2019 '59 Hardtail Strat, it seems John was having fun with this build and took some creative liberties that yielded one of the more unique Strats we've had in the shop in some time. 

For instance, the neck woods are in what you could call an inverse orientation - instead of using maple as the primary wood and capping it with a rosewood fretboard, John has used rosewood for the primary wood and maple as the cap. The effect is somewhat like a photo negative of a typical Strat neck. The maple board also utilizes a 10" radius which isn't often seen on Fender guitars (usually it's 7 1/4" or 9 1/2"). Add 6100 frets to the mix and you've got a really easy playing, modern-leaning, awesome feeling guitar....

...which, we want to add, is really the story with a Master Built guitar (in our opinion): feel. 

Specs and materials sometimes become the main focus - what are the pickups, woods, etc... - but what you're really paying for is the feel the builder injects into the build. The way it responds to your input - how hard, or softly, you hit the strings, etc...that's where "the magic" lives.

That is what a builder like John Cruz brings to the table with a build like this, in addition to some cool and creative spec tweaks, to be sure - but - remember, John has had his hands on some incredible guitars and knows what those guitars play, look, sound, and feel like. He knows how to replicate that. That, my friends, is why you look to a Master Built guitar. 

Condition: It's a relic, but beyond that, there is no additional non-"factory" wear. 

 Priced with hardshell case, CoA, and case candy. 

Specs

• Relic Lacquer Finish
• 2-Piece Off-Center Alder Body
• Rosewood Neck, Large C Carve
• Maple Fingerboard
• 10" Radius
• 6100 Frets, 21
• Handwound J.C. Bone Tone Pickups
• 5-Way Switch
• 1-Ply Parchment Pickguard
• Vintage Hardtail Strat Bridge
• Vintage Tuning Machines
• Bone Nut
• Deluxe Hardshell Case
• CoA / Case Candy
• SN: JC3490
• 7lbs