Fender 56 Strat 2CS Super Heavy Relic

Fender 56 Strat 2CS Super Heavy Relic review

The Fender 56 Strat 2CS Super Heavy Relic is a U.S.-made Custom Shop guitar based on the 1956 Relic model. Its specification centers on an alder body, a one-piece tinted riftsawn maple neck, a maple fingerboard, three handwound FAT '50s single-coil pickups, and a Custom Shop vintage tremolo. The listed finish is Super Faded/Aged 2-Color Sunburst with a Heavy Relic treatment.

This is a specification-based assessment, not a report from a playing test. No customer reviews are available for this product, so there is no user feedback to weigh against the manufacturer's listed details. The instrument is identified as a limited NAMM 2021 run, with availability listed from October 2021. Its item number is 514665.

Body, finish, and construction

The body is alder, with no separate top listed. The guitar has an ST-style shape and a sunburst color designation. Fender specifies a Super Faded/Aged 2-Color Sunburst finish with Heavy Relic treatment. The finish description identifies the intended appearance, but the supplied data does not detail the aging process or describe the individual wear marks on this instrument.

The neck is listed as a one-piece tinted riftsawn maple component, with a maple fingerboard. Fender gives the neck profile as an 11/56 off-center "V" and the fingerboard radius as 9.5 inches. These are useful points of distinction for buyers comparing neck shapes and fingerboard dimensions, though the figures alone do not establish how the guitar will feel in a player's hands.

The fingerboard has 21 narrow-tall frets. The scale length is 648 mm, approximately 25.5 inches. The listed combination gives shoppers specific construction details to compare with other Strat-style instruments. No nut width, neck depth measurements, fret material, or setup information is provided in the available specifications.

Pickups and controls

The pickup configuration is SSS, meaning three single-coil pickups. Fender names the set as three handwound FAT '50s single coils and lists FAT '50s wiring. A five-way switch is included. These details identify the pickup type and switching arrangement, but the product information does not provide output readings, control values, or individual pickup positions beyond the SSS layout.

The model's three-pickup configuration and five-way switching are clear points of comparison for players considering traditional Strat-style electronics. However, no claims about output, tonal character, noise, or performance can be verified from the supplied specifications alone. Those qualities would require direct testing, which this assessment does not claim to provide.

Tremolo, hardware, and included items

The bridge system is described as a Custom Shop vintage tremolo. The hardware is nickel. The data does not specify further details such as the number of tremolo springs, bridge saddle material, or whether the system is set up to float.

A deluxe case and certificate are included. The general listing also confirms that a case is included and that a bag is not. For buyers assessing the package, the listed case is a useful inclusion; the supplied information does not describe its construction or accessories.

Price and buying considerations

The listed price is 5,699, with no currency specified in the product data. That makes it important to confirm the applicable currency and final retailer price before purchase. Its Custom Shop designation, U.S. Manufacture, limited NAMM 2021 run, and detailed component specification help define the product, but the information provided does not establish current availability or resale value.

Potential buyers can use the listed neck profile, radius, scale length, fret count, pickup arrangement, and tremolo type to compare this guitar against other instruments. A hands-on inspection would still be needed to assess the specific setup, weight, finish details, and playing feel. No customer review evidence is available here, and none should be inferred from the specification sheet.

Verdict

The Fender 56 Strat 2CS Super Heavy Relic is specified as a limited-run, U.S.-made Custom Shop instrument with a maple neck and fingerboard, alder body, three handwound FAT '50s single coils, five-way switching, and a vintage tremolo. Its 21 narrow-tall frets, 9.5-inch radius, and 648 mm scale provide concrete comparison points. The listed package includes a deluxe case and certificate. Buyers should verify the price currency and inspect the guitar directly where possible, since the available information contains no customer feedback or firsthand performance results.