Fender 61 Strat Roasted ABCS SH Relic

Fender 61 Strat Roasted ABCS SH Relic review

The Fender 61 Strat Roasted ABCS SH Relic is a U.S.-made Custom Shop guitar from Fender's 2022 limited-edition run. It pairs a 1961-inspired ST-style design with roasted woods, a relic finish, and three handwound Custom Shop Texas Special single-coil pickups. Its listed price is 6899, with no currency specified in the supplied details. The model has been available since November 2022, and its item number is 532010.

The specification sheet points to a vintage-oriented instrument with several modern touches. A roasted alder body sits beneath an aged black over three-color sunburst nitrocellulose lacquer finish. The roasted quartersawn maple neck carries a rosewood fingerboard, a large C profile, a 9.5-inch radius, and 21 Sanko 6100 jumbo frets. Fender lists the scale length as 648 mm, or about 25.5 inches.

Construction and playing feel

The combination of roasted alder, quartersawn maple, and rosewood gives the guitar a familiar Fender foundation, while the relic finish supplies its aged appearance. The finish is layered, with aged black over a three-color sunburst, rather than a plain black coat. A three-ply tortoiseshell pickguard completes the contrasting look.

The neck details are specific enough to help set expectations. The large C profile is fuller than a slim neck shape, while the 9.5-inch fingerboard radius is less curved than many older vintage-style designs. The jumbo frets also offer a different feel from small vintage frets. Those choices may suit players who want a substantial neck and room for bends, though personal comfort will depend on hand size and playing habits.

The included case and certificate add useful context for a Custom Shop instrument. A bag is not included. The product information identifies the guitar as a 2022 limited edition, although the separate limited-run field is listed as none. Buyers should confirm current availability and the meaning of that listing with the seller.

Pickups, controls, and tremolo

Fender lists the pickup configuration as SSS: three single-coil pickups. The pickups are handwound Custom Shop Texas Specials. That arrangement keeps the instrument within familiar Strat territory, with a pickup at the bridge, middle, and neck positions. The available details do not provide output measurements or a full control layout, so tonal claims beyond the pickup type would be speculative.

The notable wiring feature is the 1/2 Strat Blender circuit. Its name indicates a blender-style control arrangement, but the supplied specifications do not explain the exact control positions or combinations. Players considering the guitar should check the wiring diagram or ask the dealer how the blender control operates on this specific model.

Vintage hardware and a vintage tremolo complete the specification. The tremolo offers the traditional vibrato approach associated with this style of guitar. No information is provided about bridge setup, tuning stability, or the range of pitch movement, so those aspects cannot be assessed from the listed data alone.

What player feedback says

The supplied owner feedback is strongly positive. One reviewer describes the workmanship as flawless and praises the sound. Another says the guitar initially took some adjustment when compared directly with a Les Paul, but that they came to enjoy both instruments. That player also says this Strat sounded better to them than other Fender Stratocasters they had tried.

These are individual impressions, not controlled comparisons, and they do not establish how every example will sound or feel. Still, the comments support a clear point: owners who like the instrument value its execution and its particular voice. The comparison with a Les Paul also highlights the usual transition between distinct neck shapes, pickup designs, and playing responses. A hands-on trial remains the best way to judge whether the large C neck and jumbo frets suit your technique.

Verdict

The Fender 61 Strat Roasted ABCS SH Relic brings together a roasted alder body, a roasted quartersawn maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, Custom Shop Texas Special pickups, blender wiring, and vintage tremolo hardware. Its layered nitrocellulose finish and included case reinforce its premium Custom Shop positioning. The strongest case for it is the combination of carefully specified construction and favorable owner reports. The main points to verify before buying are the listed price and currency, the exact blender wiring behavior, and whether the neck and jumbo frets feel right in person.