Electric guitars

Fender 60 Strat AOW/3TSB Heavy Relic

The Fender 60 Strat AOW/3TSB Heavy Relic pairs Custom Shop materials and hand-wound Texas Special pickups with a distinctly aged finish. Its premium price and relic appearance make it a focused choice for players who want this specific vintage-style configuration.

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

Fender 60 Strat AOW/3TSB Heavy Relic review

The Fender 60 Strat AOW/3TSB Heavy Relic is a U.S.-made Custom Shop electric guitar built around a 1960 Stratocaster model. Its specification combines a selected alder body, a quartersawn maple neck, an AAA rosewood fingerboard, and three hand-wound Texas Special single-coil pickups. The listed finish is Aged Olympic White over 3-Color Sunburst, with a Heavy Relic treatment. That description establishes the intended aged appearance, but the available specifications do not detail the wear pattern or the degree of aging on an individual instrument.

This is a specification-led review rather than a report of playing impressions. No customer reviews are available, and the supplied data does not include measurements such as weight, neck thickness, or pickup output. Those omissions matter when comparing instruments for comfort and response, so they should not be filled in with assumptions.

Body, neck, and fingerboard

The body is made from selected alder, with no separate top listed. Fender pairs it with a quartersawn maple neck and an AAA rosewood fingerboard. Quartersawn describes the way the neck wood is cut, while the model name and 60' Oval C profile identify the specified neck shape. The profile designation points to a C-shaped outline, but no depth measurements are provided, so the exact feel in the hand cannot be established from the listing alone.

The fingerboard has a 9.5-inch radius and 21 frets. The frets are specified as 6100, a wide, tall fret format, and the nut is made from Micarta. The scale length is 648 mm, the equivalent of the familiar 25.5-inch Stratocaster scale. Together, those dimensions define a long-scale layout with a relatively broad fingerboard radius. Fender's specifications do not state the nut width, fret-end treatment, or setup measurements.

Pickups and controls

The guitar uses three hand-wound Texas Special single-coil pickups in an SSS configuration. A five-way switch selects pickup combinations, following the familiar Stratocaster layout. The supplied information identifies the pickup model and switching arrangement, but does not give electrical readings or describe any individual pickup voicing. Any claims about output level, noise, or tonal balance would therefore go beyond the available evidence.

The SSS arrangement is a conventional choice for this model type, with three single coils and five-way selection rather than a humbucker-based setup. That gives a clear picture of the basic signal path, but the full control layout is not listed. The specifications do not confirm the number or function of the knobs, capacitor values, or wiring details. Buyers who need those specifics should verify them with the seller or inspect the instrument documentation.

Tremolo, hardware, and finish

Fender lists a Custom Shop Vintage Strat tremolo, vintage-style machine heads bearing the Fender logo, and vintage hardware. The listing does not specify the tremolo block material, the number of pivot screws, or the machine-head ratio. Those details can affect maintenance and adjustment choices, but cannot be inferred safely from the general component names.

The mint green pickguard contrasts with the Aged Olympic White over 3-Color Sunburst finish. The Heavy Relic designation is part of the model's finish specification, not a measure of structural wear or a statement about the condition of a used instrument. This guitar is listed as a new model available since July 2025. Its item number is 621461.

Included items and buying considerations

A case is included, along with a strap and certificate. The general listing fields confirm that a case is included and a bag is not. The sales unit is one piece. The listed price is 7222, although no currency is specified in the supplied data, so it should not be interpreted as a confirmed amount in a particular market.

The strongest reasons to consider this model are its clearly defined Custom Shop construction, its quartersawn maple and rosewood neck assembly, and its set of hand-wound Texas Special pickups. The vintage-style tremolo and hardware support the 1960 model presentation, while the Heavy Relic finish gives it a deliberately aged visual treatment. At the same time, the listing leaves important practical questions unanswered, including the instrument's weight, detailed neck dimensions, and setup condition.

For a buyer evaluating the Fender 60 Strat AOW/3TSB Heavy Relic, the specification sheet provides a solid account of materials, scale, fret count, pickup configuration, finish, and included accessories. It does not establish how the guitar feels or sounds in use. Confirming those qualities in person, or requesting measurements and documentation from the seller, would be sensible before purchase.

Fender 60 Strat AOW/3TSB Heavy Relic, front view
8.0/ 10 overall score
$7,222current 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

  • Custom Shop construction with a selected alder body and quarter-sawn maple neck.
  • Three hand-wound Texas Special single-coil pickups with a five-way switch.
  • Includes a case, strap, and certificate.

What bugged me

  • The heavy relic finish is a specific, heavily aged look that may not suit every player.
  • It has 21 frets and does not include a gig bag.

Is it the right one for you?

Good pick if

A good fit for players seeking a U.S.-made Custom Shop Strat-style guitar with hand-wound single-coil pickups. Also suited to buyers who specifically want a heavily aged Olympic White over sunburst appearance.

Look elsewhere if

Not ideal for players who prefer a clean, unaged finish or need more than 21 frets. Look elsewhere if you require a gig bag or want a lower-priced instrument.
RockBluesFunk

Suggested level: Intermediate

Fender 60 Strat AOW/3TSB Heavy Relic, $7,222Check today's price →

Specifications

Color
Olympic White
Body
Alder
Top
None
Neck
Maple
Fretboard
Rosewood
Frets
21
Scale
648 mm
Pickups
SSS
Tremolo
Vintage
Incl. bag
No
Including case
Yes
Model
1960 Relic
Shape
ST-Style
Pickup system
SSS

Up close

Fender 60 Strat AOW/3TSB Heavy Relic, detail 2Fender 60 Strat AOW/3TSB Heavy Relic, detail 3Fender 60 Strat AOW/3TSB Heavy Relic, detail 4Fender 60 Strat AOW/3TSB Heavy Relic, detail 5

Watch and listen

Watch the video demo on YouTube →

Before you decide

Questions players ask

What pickups does this guitar have?

It has three hand-wound Texas Special single-coil pickups and a five-way switch.

What does the Heavy Relic finish mean for its appearance?

The finish is specified as Heavy Relic, with an aged Olympic White over three-color sunburst look.

Does it come with a case?

Yes. A case, strap, and certificate are included. A gig bag is not.

How many frets does it have?

It has 21 frets, listed as 6100 frets in the specifications.

Is this a Custom Shop model?

Yes. It is a U.S.-made Custom Shop model based on a 1960 Relic configuration.

The last word from the bench

This U.S.-made Custom Shop Strat-style guitar features a selected alder body, a quarter-sawn maple neck, a rosewood fingerboard, and three hand-wound Texas Special single-coil pickups. A five-way switch and vintage tremolo provide a familiar Strat-style setup, while the 9.5-inch fingerboard radius and 21 frets define its playing layout. The case, strap, and certificate are included, but no gig bag is supplied. Consider it if the heavy relic finish and specified pickup configuration match your preferences and budget.

Fender 60 Strat AOW/3TSB Heavy Relic, $7,222Check today's price →

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Fender 60 Strat AOW/3TSB Heavy Relic

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