Electric guitars

Fender 59 Strat 2TSB JM Relic

The Fender 59 Strat 2TSB JM Relic pairs a 1959-inspired neck and vintage-style hardware with three hand-wound single-coil pickups. Its premium price and conflicting case information are worth checking before purchase.

★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 5 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker

Fender 59 Strat 2TSB JM Relic review

The Fender 59 Strat 2TSB JM Relic is a U.S.-made Custom Shop electric guitar based on a 1959 Stratocaster-style design. Its listed price is 4,775, and it has been available since June 2025. The specifications describe a familiar single-cutaway format with an alder body, maple neck and fingerboard, three single-coil pickups, and a vintage-style tremolo. This is a review of the supplied specifications, not a hands-on playing assessment. No customer reviews are available, so there is no independent user feedback to report.

Construction and finish

The body is alder, with no separate top listed. Fender pairs it with a bolt-on maple neck described as "Plain Grain" maple and a maple fingerboard. The 2-Tone Sunburst finish is finished in nitrocellulose lacquer and carries the Journeyman Relic designation. That identifies the stated finish treatment, but the supplied information does not explain the degree or placement of its wear marks.

The single-ply pickguard is specified as vintage white, in a style associated with 1954 to 1958 Stratocaster models. Black dot inlays provide the fingerboard markers. Nickel hardware, Fender vintage machine heads, and an American vintage Strat tremolo complete the listed hardware package. These details establish the intended period-inspired appearance and component style, though the specifications do not name the individual hardware suppliers or provide adjustment and setup details.

Neck and playing dimensions

The neck has a 1959 "D" profile, measuring 22 mm thick at the first fret and 25 mm at the twelfth. Those measurements give a clearer description than the profile name alone and show a neck that thickens toward the body. The nut is 41.9 mm wide and made of bone. Fender lists a 241 mm (9.5-inch) fingerboard radius, a 648 mm (25.5-inch) scale, and 21 vintage frets.

Together, these dimensions provide a useful reference for players comparing necks and fret layouts. They do not, by themselves, establish how the guitar feels in the hand. Fret height, fret condition, neck relief, action, and setup measurements are not supplied, so those aspects cannot be judged from the listing. The factory string gauge is.010 to.046.

Pickups and controls

The pickup system consists of three hand-wound 1950s Stratocaster-style single-coil pickups, arranged in the conventional neck, middle, and bridge positions. Fender specifies one volume control, two tone controls, and a five-way selector switch. This gives the player access to the standard combinations available from a three-pickup layout. The supplied specifications do not include pickup output, magnet type, wiring details, or measured frequency response, so claims about their precise tonal character would go beyond the available evidence.

The 1959 model designation and period-style hardware make the guitar's design intent clear. However, the available data does not establish that every component reproduces a specific original 1959 part. Players considering it for recording or stage use should compare the pickup and control configuration with their own requirements rather than assume particular sounds from the vintage references alone.

Included items and specification check

The package information contains a conflict worth resolving before purchase. The general fields say a bag is included and a case is not, while the detailed description says a vintage case is included. Since both statements appear in the supplied data, the exact included case or bag cannot be confirmed from the listing alone. A buyer should ask the seller to verify what ships with the instrument.

  • Model: 1959, Custom Shop, made in the United States
  • Body and neck: Alder body, bolt-on maple neck, maple fingerboard
  • Neck dimensions: 1959 "D" profile, 41.9 mm nut, 241 mm radius
  • Electronics: Three hand-wound single-coil pickups, one volume, two tone controls, five-way switch
  • Finish and hardware: 2-Tone Sunburst, Journeyman Relic, nitrocellulose lacquer, nickel hardware
  • Item number: 611670

Verdict

On paper, the Fender 59 Strat 2TSB JM Relic is a specification-focused Custom Shop model with a clearly defined 1959 neck profile, vintage-style three-pickup layout, and nitrocellulose Journeyman Relic finish. Its listed dimensions and components make comparisons straightforward, but the data does not support conclusions about sound, setup quality, or feel without examining the instrument. The case and bag discrepancy is the main listing detail to clarify before ordering. At 4,775, buyers should also confirm the delivered accessories and current setup directly with the retailer.

Fender 59 Strat 2TSB JM Relic, front view
8.0/ 10 overall score
$4,775current price at the retailer
Check today's price price and delivery time at the retailer

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 1950s Strat single-coil pickups, a five-way switch, and separate tone controls offer classic Strat-style tone options.
  • Maple body neck construction, a 9.5-inch fingerboard radius, and 21 vintage frets provide familiar specifications.
  • Made in the USA with a Journeyman Relic nitrocellulose finish, bone nut, and vintage-style hardware.

What bugged me

  • The listed price of $4,775 puts this Custom Shop instrument at a premium price point.
  • The case details conflict: the listing says no case is included, while the detailed specifications say a vintage case is included.

Is it the right one for you?

Good pick if

A good fit for players seeking a 1959-inspired Strat with hand-wound single-coil pickups and a relic finish. Also suited to buyers who value Custom Shop construction and vintage-style specifications.

Look elsewhere if

Not a strong fit for buyers working within a modest budget or looking for modern pickup types and hardware. Check the case details before buying if a case is essential.
RockBluesFunk

Suggested level: Intermediate

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Specifications

Color
Sunburst
Body
Alder
Top
None
Neck
Maple
Fretboard
Maple
Frets
21
Scale
648 mm
Pickups
SSS
Tremolo
Vintage
Incl. bag
Yes
Including case
No
Model
1959
Shape
ST-Style
Pickup system
SSS

Up close

Fender 59 Strat 2TSB JM Relic, detail 2Fender 59 Strat 2TSB JM Relic, detail 3Fender 59 Strat 2TSB JM Relic, detail 4Fender 59 Strat 2TSB JM Relic, detail 5

Watch and listen

Watch the video demo on YouTube →

Before you decide

Questions players ask

What pickup configuration does this guitar have?

It has three hand-wound 1950s Strat single-coil pickups, controlled by one volume knob, two tone knobs, and a five-way switch.

What are the neck and fingerboard specifications?

The bolt-on maple neck has a 1959 D profile, a 9.5-inch fingerboard radius, and 21 vintage frets. The nut width is 41.9 mm.

Does the guitar include a case?

The listing is inconsistent: one specification says no case is included, while the detailed specifications state that a vintage case is included. Confirm this with the seller before ordering.

What finish and color does it have?

It has a 2-Tone Sunburst finish with a Journeyman Relic treatment and nitrocellulose lacquer.

Where is this guitar made?

The specifications state that it is made in the USA and identify it as a Fender Custom Shop model.

The last word from the bench

This Custom Shop Strat combines an alder body, maple neck and fingerboard, and a Journeyman Relic nitrocellulose finish. Its three hand-wound pickups, five-way switch, and two tone controls provide a broad range of traditional Strat-style sounds. The listed specifications are detailed, but the case inclusion is inconsistent and should be confirmed with the seller. At $4,775, it is best suited to buyers specifically seeking this vintage-inspired Custom Shop configuration.

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Fender 59 Strat 2TSB JM Relic

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