Fender 1960 Strat MP Relic ACAR
The Fender 1960 Strat MP Relic ACAR pairs a traditional alder-and-rosewood specification with three hand-wound Custom Shop single-coil pickups. Its missing tremolo and high price make it a focused choice for players who value this particular build and finish.
★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 5 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker
Fender 1960 Strat MP Relic ACAR review
The Fender 1960 Strat MP Relic ACAR is a limited-edition, U.S.-made Strat-style electric guitar with an aged Candy Apple Red finish. Its specification centers on an alder body, a bolt-on quartersawn maple neck, a rosewood fingerboard, and three hand-wound Custom Shop 60/63 Strat single-coil pickups. The listed price is 5,290. The product has been available since March 2026, and its item number is 640319.
No customer reviews are available for this model. That means there is no basis here for claims about its sound in practice, setup quality, comfort, or how convincing its worn finish looks in person. The assessment below is limited to the supplied specifications and what those details establish.
Construction and finish
The body is made from alder, with no separate top listed. The neck is maple and attaches to the body with a bolt-on joint. Fender specifies quartersawn maple for the neck, while the fingerboard is rosewood. The supplied information does not give the neck profile, fingerboard radius, or neck finish, so those details cannot be confirmed from the specification.
The finish is described as Relic, and the color is listed as Aged Candy Apple Red. The product name also includes "ACAR." These details identify the intended finish and color treatment, but they do not specify the extent or placement of the aging. Buyers who care about the exact appearance should check the particular instrument's photos or confirm its finish details with the seller.
The guitar has 21 narrow-tall frets and a bone nut. Narrow-tall frets describe the fret dimensions, but the data does not provide measurements or additional setup information. The scale length is 648 mm, also given as 25.51 inches. That is the stated distance associated with the instrument's scale; no separate factory action or string-gauge details are supplied.
Pickups and controls
Fender lists three hand-wound Custom Shop 60/63 Strat single-coil pickups in an SSS layout. SSS means the guitar has three single-coil pickups, with positions at the bridge, middle, and neck. The pickup names and hand-wound designation identify the specified components, but no output measurements, magnet details, or frequency response are included. Any description of their actual tone would therefore go beyond the available evidence.
The controls comprise one volume control, tone controls, and a five-way pickup selector. The listing does not say how the tone controls are assigned to individual pickups, nor does it provide a wiring diagram. The five-way switch indicates five selectable pickup settings, but the supplied data does not document the exact switching arrangement or any additional wiring options.
A three-ply mint green pickguard is specified. The contrast between that pickguard and the aged Candy Apple Red finish is part of the stated visual configuration. No alternate pickguard, finish, or pickup configuration is listed.
Hardware, case, and availability
The specification explicitly lists no tremolo. It does not identify a bridge design or provide details about the tuning machines and other hardware. Those omissions make it unwise to assume particular hardware components based on the Strat-style body shape alone.
A case is included, while a bag is not. The model is marked as a limited run and a limited edition. No production quantity is provided, so the size of the run and the number of instruments available cannot be established from the listing.
Technical assessment
On paper, this model combines a defined set of traditional Strat-style elements with named Custom Shop pickups and a Relic finish. The most useful confirmed details for comparing it with other instruments are its alder body, quartersawn maple bolt-on neck, rosewood fingerboard, 648 mm scale, 21 narrow-tall frets, three single-coil pickups, and included case. The stated U.S. Manufacture and limited-edition status also distinguish it within the product description.
Several practical questions remain unanswered. There are no supplied measurements for neck shape, fingerboard radius, weight, nut width, or fret dimensions. Setup condition, hardware brands, exact pickup wiring, and the specific appearance of the aging are also not documented. Those points matter when judging fit, feel, and value, particularly at the listed price of 5,290.
The available information supports a clear specification-based summary, but not a hands-on verdict. A prospective buyer should verify the individual guitar's measurements, finish condition, and setup before purchase. With no customer feedback or playing test available, conclusions about comfort, reliability, or sound would be speculation.
Shipping and duties
The retailer ships from its warehouse in Germany. Prices are shown in US dollars and do not include import duties. Orders under roughly $800 usually clear US customs without duty; above that, a duty of a few percent may be collected on delivery. 30-day money-back and a 3-year warranty apply.
Scores by area
Where it shines, where it stumbles
What convinced me
- Three hand-wound Custom Shop 60/63 single-coil pickups and a five-way switch offer familiar Strat-style tonal options.
- Quartersawn maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, bone nut, and 21 narrow-tall frets specify a detailed, traditional-feeling build.
- Includes a case and is made in the USA.
What bugged me
- No tremolo is listed, which limits traditional vibrato techniques.
- At 5290, the limited-edition price is a substantial commitment.
Is it the right one for you?
Good pick if
A good fit for players seeking a limited-edition, vintage-inspired Strat-style guitar with hand-wound single-coil pickups. Also suited to buyers who value its specific finish, USA manufacture, and included case.Look elsewhere if
Not a fit for players who need a tremolo for pitch effects. Also less suitable for buyers prioritizing a lower price or customer-review evidence before purchasing.Suggested level: Intermediate
Specifications
- Color
- Candy Apple Red
- Body
- Alder
- Top
- None
- Neck
- Maple
- Fretboard
- Rosewood
- Frets
- 21
- Scale
- 648 mm
- Pickups
- SSS
- Tremolo
- None
- Incl. bag
- No
- Including case
- Yes
- Limited run
- Yes
- Model
- 1960 Relic
- Shape
- ST-Style
Up close
Watch and listen
Before you decide
Questions players ask
Does this guitar include a tremolo?
No tremolo is listed in the supplied specifications.
What pickup configuration does it have?
It has three hand-wound Custom Shop 60/63 Strat single-coil pickups, controlled by volume and tone controls with a five-way switch.
Is a case included?
Yes. The specifications state that a case is included, while a bag is not.
What are the neck and fingerboard materials?
The neck is quartersawn maple, and the fingerboard is rosewood. The guitar has 21 narrow-tall frets and a bone nut.
Are there customer reviews to consult?
No customer reviews were provided for this product, so owner feedback cannot be summarized.
The last word from the bench
This limited-edition Strat-style guitar has a clear vintage-inspired specification, including an alder body, rosewood fingerboard, and aged Candy Apple Red Relic finish. The three hand-wound pickups and five-way switch provide a range of familiar single-coil sounds, while the absence of a tremolo narrows its appeal for players who rely on vibrato. A case is included, but the price is high and no customer reviews were supplied to verify owner experience. Consider it if its exact specification matters more to you than broad versatility or value.
Hanging next to it
Fender 1960 Strat MP Relic ACAR
Today's price and delivery time are shown at the retailer.
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