Fender 60 Strat C3TSB SH Relic

Fender 60 Strat C3TSB SH Relic review

The Fender 60 Strat C3TSB SH Relic is listed as a U.S.-made Custom Shop model based on a 1960 Stratocaster. Its specification sheet combines familiar Strat-style controls and a vintage-style synchronized tremolo with hand-wound Custom Shop Texas Special single-coil pickups and a heavy relic finish. The listed price is 6,799; no currency is specified in the supplied data.

There is an important qualification before comparing the instrument with other guitars: the supplied specifications conflict on several points. The general listing identifies the body as pine and the neck as maple, while the detailed specification describes a two-piece selected alder body and a bolt-on neck made from roasted AAA flamed maple. The color is first given as Sunburst, then more specifically as Chocolate 3-Color Sunburst. These differences should be confirmed with the seller before purchase.

Body, neck, and finish

The detailed construction notes describe a two-piece alder body and a bolt-on roasted maple neck. The neck has a 60-style oval C profile, a shape designation that points to its general contour but does not provide measurements for thickness. The fingerboard is listed as 9 mm AAA rosewood, with a 241 mm (9.5-inch) radius. That radius and the 648 mm (25.5-inch) scale are more specific points of reference for players comparing neck geometry.

The general listing calls the fingerboard rosewood, consistent with the detailed entry. It specifies 21 jumbo frets, identified as size 6100, and a bone nut. The frets are described as jumbo, but the data does not give fret height or width measurements. The heavy relic finish is a stated cosmetic treatment. The supplied information does not detail the aging process, the condition of the instrument beneath the finish, or how much variation to expect between examples.

The color description also needs clarification. "Chocolate 3-Color Sunburst" is the detailed finish name, while the shorter listing says only Sunburst. A three-color sunburst normally refers to a multi-tone finish, but the provided data does not specify the exact color boundaries or whether the relic treatment changes the visible appearance. Ask for current photographs of the particular instrument if finish appearance matters to the decision.

Pickups and controls

The guitar has three hand-wound Custom Shop Texas Special single-coil pickups in an SSS layout. Controls consist of one volume knob, two tone knobs, and a five-way pickup selector. This arrangement provides the standard switching format associated with a three-pickup Strat-style instrument. The data does not state pickup resistance, magnet type, output level, or the precise wiring assigned to each tone control, so those details should not be assumed.

There is no hum-cancelling pickup system listed. Players sensitive to the characteristic electrical noise that can occur with single-coil pickups should factor that into their setup and playing environment. The specifications also do not describe the pickups' measured frequency response or provide recorded audio examples. Their Texas Special name identifies the specified pickup set, but it is not a substitute for hearing this instrument through a familiar amplifier.

Tremolo and hardware

Hardware includes a Custom Shop Vintage Synchronized Tremolo, vintage-style tuning machines, and nickel-finished components. The general specification also identifies a vintage tremolo. No details are supplied for the bridge's setup, spring configuration, saddle material, tuning stability, or range of pitch movement. Those points depend in part on the instrument's adjustment and should be checked on the individual guitar.

A three-ply black pickguard is specified. Together, the pickguard and nickel hardware provide concrete configuration details, but the listing does not identify the material of the guard or the hardware beyond its stated finish. There is no basis here for judging the guitar's setup quality or playing feel before an in-person inspection.

Included case and buying checks

The package includes a deluxe hardshell case. The general listing marks "Including Case" as yes and "incl. Bag" as no, which is consistent with the detailed case entry. The sales unit is one piece, the item number is 621730, and availability is listed as beginning in July 2025.

• Confirm the body wood: the listing says pine in one section and selected alder in another.
• Confirm the finish name: the entries use both Sunburst and Chocolate 3-Color Sunburst.
• Check the specific instrument: request photographs and verify the neck, finish, fretwork, and tremolo setup.
• Verify sale terms: confirm the currency, included case, and current availability with the seller.

Verdict

On paper, this is a U.S.-made Custom Shop 1960 Stratocaster-style guitar with a rosewood fingerboard, a 60-style oval C neck, three hand-wound Texas Special single coils, and a vintage synchronized tremolo. The heavy relic finish and deluxe hardshell case are also explicitly listed. However, the body-wood and finish-name conflicts are substantial enough to resolve before treating the specification sheet as definitive. There are no customer reviews available for this product, so this assessment is limited to the supplied technical information rather than user reports or a hands-on evaluation.