Electric guitars

Fender 63 Strat Relic 3TSB MBDB

The Fender 63 Strat Relic 3TSB MBDB pairs a 1963-inspired specification with master-built construction and hand-wound single-coil pickups. Its limited availability and high listed price make it a considered purchase rather than an accessible all-purpose Stratocaster.

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

Fender 63 Strat Relic 3TSB MBDB review

The Fender 63 Strat Relic 3TSB MBDB is a U.S.-made, master-built instrument based on the 1963 Stratocaster. Dave Brown is named as its builder. The listing identifies a single-piece limited run, with availability beginning in October 2024. Its listed price is 8333, with no currency specified in the supplied data.

This review is based strictly on the published specifications. No customer reviews are available, so there is no basis for claims about owners' experiences, setup quality, reliability, or how the guitar sounds in use. The listed details do, however, establish its materials, neck dimensions, pickup configuration, bridge, and included accessories.

Body, finish, and construction

The body is made from selected alder and consists of two pieces. The listing specifies no separate top. Its finish is three-color sunburst, also described more generally as sunburst. The model name includes "Relic," but the provided specifications do not describe the finish treatment or its appearance in detail.

The body follows an ST-style shape, matching the stated 1963 Stratocaster model. Alder is the specified body wood; the listing does not provide the body's weight, thickness, contours, or finish material. Those details should not be assumed from the model name or the general description.

Neck and fingerboard

The quartersawn maple neck has a 1960s-style oval C profile. Its fingerboard is AAA flamed rosewood, with Micarta face-dot inlays. The listed fingerboard radius is 241 mm, equivalent to approximately 9.5 inches. That measurement describes the curvature of the fingerboard, but does not by itself determine how the neck will feel or how the guitar is set up.

The instrument has 21 narrow-tall frets and a bone nut. The scale length is 648 mm, approximately 25.5 inches. These are specific, useful reference points for evaluating the layout, but the supplied data does not give fret dimensions, neck thickness measurements, nut width, or string spacing. A player comparing this instrument with another Strat-style guitar should check those measurements if they are important to fit.

Pickups and controls

The pickup arrangement is SSS, meaning three single-coil pickups. Fender identifies them as hand-wound Custom Shop '60/'63 single coils. The wiring is listed as a modern Strat layout. No output readings, magnet type, control values, switching diagram, or detailed description of the control functions is provided.

The pickup names point to a design associated with the model's early-1960s reference, but they do not establish the instrument's actual tone. Without measurements or listening evidence, it would be speculative to describe its brightness, output, noise level, or response to particular amplifiers. Buyers seeking those details should request a demonstration or further technical information from the seller.

Bridge and hardware

The bridge is an American Vintage synchronized tremolo, and the tremolo category is also identified as vintage. The tuners are vintage-style machine heads. The listing does not specify the bridge's setup, arm inclusion, saddle material, tuner manufacturer, or whether the tremolo is configured to float or sit against the body. Those are practical details worth confirming before purchase.

A three-ply mint pickguard is specified. Taken together with the sunburst finish and rosewood fingerboard, it supports the guitar's stated vintage-oriented specification, while the modern Strat wiring shows that the electronics are not described as a complete period-correct circuit.

Case, availability, and buying checks

A Deluxe hardshell case and certificate are included. The listing separately marks the guitar as including a case, while its bag field says no. Buyers should therefore expect the hardshell case rather than a gig bag, based on the supplied information.

The item number is 582174, and the sales unit is one piece. Before ordering, confirm the instrument's current availability, the currency and final price, and the exact contents of the case package. It is also sensible to ask for current photographs, weight, setup measurements, and any available sound samples. These points are not stated in the specifications, and no customer feedback is available to fill those gaps.

Bottom line: The published specification describes a U.S.-made, single-piece limited-run 1963-style Stratocaster with a two-piece alder body, a quartersawn maple neck, a flamed rosewood fingerboard, hand-wound single-coil pickups, and a synchronized tremolo. The case and certificate are included. Its detailed build specification is clear, but performance and condition cannot be judged from the supplied data alone.

Fender 63 Strat Relic 3TSB MBDB, front view
7.8/ 10 overall score
$8,333current 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

  • Master-built in the USA by Dave Brown, with a selected two-piece alder body.
  • Hand-wound Custom Shop single-coil pickups modeled on 1960 and 1963 designs.
  • Quartersawn maple neck, AAA flamed rosewood fingerboard, and vintage-style synchronized tremolo.

What bugged me

  • The listed price is substantial, and the specifications alone cannot establish its value in use.
  • It is a single-piece limited run, and no gig bag is included.

Is it the right one for you?

Good pick if

Ideal for players seeking a master-built, vintage-inspired Stratocaster with hand-wound single-coil pickups and a limited-run specification. Also suited to buyers who value premium materials and a hardshell case.

Look elsewhere if

Not for buyers seeking an affordable, widely available instrument. Also a poor fit for players who need a gig bag included or want a pickup setup other than three single coils.
RockFunkBlues

Suggested level: Intermediate

Fender 63 Strat Relic 3TSB MBDB, $8,333Check today's price →

Specifications

Color
Sunburst
Body
Alder
Top
None
Neck
Maple
Fretboard
Rosewood
Frets
21
Scale
648 mm
Pickups
SSS
Tremolo
Vintage
Incl. bag
No
Including case
Yes
Limited run
Single Piece
Model
1963 Stratocaster
Shape
ST-Style

Up close

Fender 63 Strat Relic 3TSB MBDB, detail 2Fender 63 Strat Relic 3TSB MBDB, detail 3Fender 63 Strat Relic 3TSB MBDB, detail 4Fender 63 Strat Relic 3TSB MBDB, detail 5

Watch and listen

Watch the video demo on YouTube →

Before you decide

Questions players ask

What type of pickups does this guitar have?

It has three hand-wound Custom Shop single-coil pickups based on 1960 and 1963 designs.

What is the neck profile like?

The maple neck has an oval C profile inspired by 1960s instruments.

Does it come with a case?

Yes. A deluxe hardshell case and a certificate are included. A gig bag is not.

Is this a regular production model?

No. The listing identifies it as a single-piece limited run.

What should I consider before buying?

Consider the substantial listed price and limited availability, and make sure the vintage-style single-coil configuration suits your needs.

The last word from the bench

This model offers a focused vintage-style Stratocaster recipe: an alder body, an oval 1960s-style C neck, and three hand-wound single-coil pickups. Its quartersawn maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, and synchronized tremolo give the specification a premium, period-inspired character. The listed price and single-piece limited run will narrow its audience. A hardshell case and certificate are included, but a gig bag is not.

Fender 63 Strat Relic 3TSB MBDB, $8,333Check today's price →

Hanging next to it

Fender 63 Strat Relic 3TSB MBDB

Today's price and delivery time are shown at the retailer.

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