Fender 50s Strat BKoVBL Relic MBAH

Fender 50s Strat BKoVBL Relic MBAH: Technical Review

The Fender 50s Strat BKoVBL Relic MBAH is a U.S.-made Custom Shop model based on the 1950 Stratocaster. Master builder Andy Hicks is credited with the build. Its specification combines a selected ash body, roasted AAA birdseye maple for both neck and fingerboard, and three hand-wound Josefina '50s Strat single-coil pickups. The listed price is 8899, with no currency specified in the supplied information.

This is a detailed, period-inspired specification rather than a basic production model. The black-over-Vintage-Blonde finish, Relic Gold Anodized eight-hole pickguard, vintage-style tremolo, vintage machine heads, and nickel hardware all contribute to the stated design brief. The data does not describe the degree or pattern of the relic finish, so its exact appearance cannot be assessed from the specification alone.

Body, Neck, and Fingerboard

The body is made from selected ash, with no separate top listed. The neck and fingerboard are both roasted AAA birdseye maple. Roasting is part of the material specification, but the supplied details do not identify a particular roasting process or make claims about its effect on stability or tone. The birdseye figure is likewise specified as a grade and material detail, not as a guarantee of a particular visual pattern.

The neck has a Large C profile, measuring 22.2 to 24.13 mm, or.875 to.950 inches. Those dimensions give a clearer picture of the neck than a shape label alone, though they do not describe every contour or how the neck will feel in an individual player's hand. The fingerboard radius is 305 mm, equivalent to 12 inches. A bone nut is fitted, and the fingerboard has 21 frets in size 6100.

The scale length is 648 mm. That measurement, the 21-fret layout, and the Large C neck are useful points to check against a player's existing preferences before purchase. The specification does not provide fret-end treatment, fret material, neck finish, or setup measurements, so those details should be confirmed with the seller if they matter to the buying decision.

Pickups and Controls

The pickup layout is SSS, meaning three single-coil pickups. All three are hand-wound Josefina '50s Strat units. The middle pickup is reverse-wound, reverse-polarity, a detail commonly abbreviated RWRP. The guitar also has modern wiring. No control layout, potentiometer values, capacitor specifications, switching details, or output measurements are supplied, so a more exact evaluation of the electronics is not possible from the listed data.

The combination of '50s-design pickups and modern wiring is a notable part of the instrument's specification. The pickup names identify their intended design, but they do not establish how the guitar will sound through a particular amplifier, at a particular volume, or in a recording mix. There are no audio samples or independent measurement results in the provided information.

Hardware, Finish, and Included Items

The hardware specification includes a vintage tremolo, vintage machine heads, and vintage nickel hardware. These descriptions identify the general hardware style, but the tremolo's specific construction, adjustment range, and machine-head manufacturer are not stated. The eight-hole pickguard is described as Relic Gold Anodized.

The finish is listed as Black over Vintage Blonde. This wording identifies the color specification, but it does not explain how much of the underlying color is visible or how the relic treatment is applied. Buyers who want a particular level of wear or color exposure should request current product photographs rather than assume a specific appearance.

A case and certificate are included. No bag is included. The product has been available since April 2025, carries item number 546274, and is sold as one piece. These practical details matter when comparing listings, especially if a seller's package description differs from the stated contents.

Assessment

The strongest case for this model is its specific Custom Shop configuration: selected ash, roasted AAA birdseye maple, a measured Large C neck profile, hand-wound '50s-design pickups, and vintage-style hardware. Its 1950 Stratocaster basis is clearly reflected in the model description, while modern wiring is explicitly part of the electronics specification.

There are no customer reviews available for this product, and the supplied information includes no independent play test. This assessment therefore addresses the documented build only, not comfort, sound quality, tuning behavior, or workmanship in a particular example. At a listed price of 8899, prospective buyers should verify the currency, confirm the finish and relic treatment with the retailer, and review the included certificate and case details before ordering.