Fender 69 Strat BLK Relic
This U.S.-made 1969-style Stratocaster pairs three hand-wound Custom Shop '69 pickups with vintage-inspired appointments and a relic finish. Confirm the body wood with the seller before buying, since the listing gives conflicting information.
★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 6 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker
What the Fender 69 Strat BLK Relic offers
The Fender 69 Strat BLK Relic is a U.S.-made, black 1969 Stratocaster-style electric guitar with a relic finish. Its listed price is 5099, with no currency specified in the supplied information. The model has a bolt-on maple neck, a rosewood fingerboard, three hand-wound Custom Shop '69 single-coil pickups, and a vintage-style synchronized tremolo. A deluxe hardshell case is included, but a gig bag is not.
This assessment is based solely on the specifications provided. There are no customer reviews available, so there is no basis for reporting owner experiences, reliability patterns, or subjective playing impressions. One specification also needs clarification before purchase: the body is described as alder in one place and as selected ash in another. Those are different woods, and the listing does not resolve the discrepancy.
Body and finish: an important specification conflict
The general specification identifies the body as alder and lists no separate top. The detailed feature list instead calls it a two-piece body made from selected ash. These descriptions cannot be reconciled from the available information. Buyers who care about the body wood should confirm the exact construction with the seller or Fender before ordering rather than treating either entry as definitive.
The instrument is finished in black with a Relic finish designation. The data does not describe the extent or pattern of the finish treatment, so it would be unwarranted to infer specific wear marks or aging details. The three-ply parchment pickguard is listed separately and provides a clear contrast in color against the black finish, but the supplied information does not give further measurements or material details.
Neck, fingerboard, and playing dimensions
The neck is described as bolt-on, made from "Plain-Grain" maple, and shaped to a 1969 "U" profile. That profile designation is more specific than a generic modern neck shape, although the specifications do not provide measurements for its thickness. Players who need exact neck dimensions should request them rather than assuming a particular feel from the profile name alone.
The fingerboard is listed as 9 mm AAA rosewood, with a 241 mm, or 9.5-inch, radius. It carries 21 narrow-tall 6150 frets and has a bone nut. The scale length is 648 mm, also given as 25.5 inches. Together, these figures establish the instrument's fret count, fingerboard curvature, and scale, but they do not specify fret height after dressing, nut width, or the setup at delivery.
There is a small difference in how the wood is described: the general list says simply "maple" for the neck, while the detailed entry specifies "Plain-Grain" maple. These details appear compatible, but the listing does not explain the grading or selection criteria behind that wording.
Pickups, controls, and tremolo
The pickup configuration is SSS, meaning three single-coil pickups. The detailed specification identifies them as three hand-wound Custom Shop '69 single coils. That gives a more precise description than the broad SSS label, but no output readings, magnet details, wiring diagram, or switching combinations are supplied. The guitar has one volume control, two tone controls, and a five-way pickup selector.
A custom shop vintage synchronized tremolo is listed, along with vintage-style tuning machines and nickel hardware. The specifications do not state the tremolo's setup, bridge spacing, tuning stability under use, or included adjustment tools. Those details should not be assumed from the component names. The listed hardware and control layout describe a familiar Stratocaster-style arrangement, while the available data stops short of documenting its electrical or setup particulars.
Included items and purchase checks
The package includes a deluxe hardshell case. The separate bag entry says no, which is consistent with a case being included instead of a gig bag. The item number is 599097, and the product has been available since November 2024. Sales unit is one piece.
- Model: 1969 Stratocaster, ST-style body shape
- Finish and color: Relic finish, black
- Neck and fingerboard: Bolt-on maple neck, 1969 "U" profile, rosewood fingerboard
- Frets and scale: 21 narrow-tall frets, 648 mm scale
- Electronics: Three hand-wound Custom Shop '69 single-coil pickups, one volume, two tone controls, five-way switch
- Included case: Deluxe hardshell case
Technical verdict
The specification sheet describes a U.S.-made Fender Stratocaster-style model with a defined neck profile, rosewood fingerboard, three hand-wound single-coil pickups, and a vintage-style synchronized tremolo. The included hardshell case is also clearly stated. However, the conflicting alder and selected ash body descriptions are material enough to verify before purchase, especially at a listed price of 5099. With no customer feedback available, this review makes no claims about sound, comfort, finish quality, or long-term performance. Confirming the body wood and any desired setup details is the practical next step for a prospective buyer.
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
- Three hand-wound Custom Shop '69 single-coil pickups with a five-way switch offer classic Stratocaster-style sounds.
- The 1969 U-shaped maple neck, 9.5-inch fingerboard radius, and 21 narrow-tall frets provide a clearly specified playing setup.
- Includes a deluxe hardshell case and is made in the USA.
What bugged me
- The listed body woods conflict: the specifications mention both alder and selected ash.
- The vintage-style synchronized tremolo and vintage-style tuners may be less suitable for players seeking modern hardware.
Is it the right one for you?
Good pick if
A good fit for players seeking a 1969-inspired Stratocaster, hand-wound single-coil pickups, and vintage-style appointments. Also suited to buyers who value an included hardshell case and U.S. Manufacture.Look elsewhere if
Less suitable for players who need confirmed, consistent specifications before ordering, since the listed body woods conflict. Players seeking modern tremolo or tuning hardware may prefer a different model.Suggested level: Intermediate
Specifications
- Color
- Black
- Body
- Alder
- Top
- None
- Neck
- Maple
- Fretboard
- Rosewood
- Frets
- 21
- Scale
- 648 mm
- Pickups
- SSS
- Tremolo
- Vintage
- Incl. bag
- No
- Including case
- Yes
- Model
- 1969 Stratocaster
- Shape
- ST-Style
- Pickup system
- SSS
Up close
Watch and listen
Before you decide
Questions players ask
What pickups does this guitar have?
It is listed with three hand-wound Custom Shop '69 single-coil pickups and a five-way switch.
What is the neck profile and fingerboard radius?
The listed neck profile is a 1969 U shape, and the fingerboard radius is 9.5 inches.
Does it include a case?
Yes. The listing specifies a deluxe hardshell case, although it does not include a gig bag.
What is the body wood?
The listing names both alder and selected ash. Ask the seller to confirm which applies to this instrument.
Is this a modern-style tremolo system?
It is listed with a Custom Shop vintage synchronized tremolo, so the specifications describe a vintage-style system rather than a modern one.
The last word from the bench
The Fender 69 Strat BLK Relic offers a period-inspired neck profile, a 9.5-inch fingerboard radius, and a three-pickup layout with five-way switching. Its included hardshell case and U.S. Manufacture add practical appeal. The main concern is a specification conflict between alder and selected ash for the body, which should be resolved before purchase. With no customer reviews supplied, the assessment is based on the listed specifications alone.
Hanging next to it
Fender 69 Strat BLK Relic
Today's price and delivery time are shown at the retailer.






