Fender 61 Strat GRY Relic HSS MBAH

Fender 61 Strat GRY Relic HSS MBAH review

The Fender 61 Strat GRY Relic HSS MBAH is a U.S.-made Custom Shop guitar built by master builder Andy Hicks. Its specification combines an alder body, a maple neck, a rosewood fingerboard, and an HSS pickup layout. The model is listed as a 1961 Relic, with a vintage-style tremolo and a Graffiti Yellow finish. It has been available since September 2024 as a single-piece limited run.

There are no customer reviews available for this instrument. The assessment here is therefore based on the supplied specifications, not on owner feedback or a hands-on playing impression. Those details make the guitar's construction and electronics clear, but they do not establish how this individual instrument sounds, feels, or performs in use.

Body, neck, and fingerboard

The body is made from alder, with no separate top listed. The maple neck is described as plain-grain maple and has a 1960s oval C profile. That profile designation gives a useful reference for the neck's stated shape, though the specifications do not provide neck thickness measurements. The neck is paired with a 9 mm AAA rosewood fingerboard.

The fingerboard has a 241 mm radius and 21 frets. Micarta dot inlays provide the position markers. The listed scale length is 648 mm, a full-length format associated with the Strat-style shape. The supplied information does not identify the fret material, fret dimensions, nut width, or neck finish, so those details should be confirmed with the seller if they matter to a buying decision.

The finish is called Relic, and the listed color is Graffiti Yellow. The finish name indicates the intended aged appearance, but the product data does not describe the specific wear pattern or the amount of simulated aging on this example. It is also listed as a single-piece limited run, a distinction worth verifying if the exact instrument and its documentation are important to the purchase.

HSS pickups and controls

The pickup system pairs two hand-wound 1960/1963 Strat-style single-coil pickups in the neck and middle positions with an EVH Frankenstein humbucker at the bridge. This HSS arrangement specifies distinct pickup types across the three positions. The data names the pickup models and locations, but gives no output readings, magnet details, or tonal measurements. Any claims about how bright, powerful, or balanced the guitar sounds would go beyond the available evidence.

Controls consist of one volume knob and two tone knobs, with a five-way pickup selector. The listed wiring is described as HSS Pomo Strat 250/500. Since no further circuit details are provided, the specification does not clarify which components use each value or how the tone controls are assigned to the pickups. Buyers who want a particular control response should ask for a wiring diagram or a direct confirmation from the dealer.

The guitar has a three-ply white pickguard and nickel hardware. Its tremolo is identified as a Custom Shop vintage tremolo. The information does not state whether the arm, springs, or adjustment tools are included, or describe the bridge setup. These are practical details to check before purchase, particularly for anyone who expects to make setup changes straight away.

Included items and buying considerations

A case and certificate are included. The general listing also confirms that a case is included and says no bag is supplied. The item number is 582298, and the sales unit is one piece. The listed price is 8399; the source data does not specify a currency, so the figure should be checked against the retailer's current listing before comparison.

As a specification-based assessment, the strongest points are the documented Custom Shop origin, the named master builder, and the combination of two hand-wound single coils with a bridge humbucker. The 1960s oval C neck profile, rosewood fingerboard, and vintage tremolo further define the instrument's stated configuration. These are concrete details, but they cannot substitute for inspecting the particular guitar, especially on a one-piece limited run.

Before ordering, confirm the currency and final price, the exact condition and relic treatment, and whether the certificate identifies this specific instrument. It is also sensible to request current photos and verify the setup, wiring, and included tremolo accessories. The specifications support a clear technical summary, but without customer reports or direct testing, they do not justify claims about playability, reliability, or sound quality.