Fender LTD 50s Strat Relic SADS

Fender LTD 50s Strat Relic SADS: technical overview

The Fender LTD 50s Strat Relic SADS is a limited-edition Custom Shop guitar modeled on the 1950 Stratocaster. Its listed construction pairs an alder body with a maple neck and maple fingerboard, while its three-pickup layout and vintage tremolo system follow a familiar Strat-style format. Fender lists the finish color as Super Aged Desert Sand and describes the finish as Relic. The instrument is made in the USA and includes a certificate and case.

This assessment is based only on the supplied product specifications. No customer reviews are available, so there is no basis for claims about playing feel, sound quality, setup, reliability, or owner satisfaction. The listed price is 4969, with no currency specified in the supplied data.

Body, neck, and fingerboard

The body is alder, with no separate top listed. The neck is maple and attaches to the body with a bolt-on joint. A maple fingerboard continues the same wood choice across the neck assembly. These material details identify the main construction, but the specifications do not provide body weight, neck dimensions beyond the profile, or the exact finish materials.

The neck profile is listed as an 11/56-inch V. Fender specifies a 241 mm, or 9.5-inch, fingerboard radius and 21 narrow-tall frets. Together, these are useful reference points for comparing the guitar with other instruments. They do not establish how the neck will feel to a particular player, or how the fretwork is finished on an individual example.

The scale length is 648 mm, approximately 25.5 inches. That is a standard long scale measurement for this style of guitar. The fret count is 21, so players comparing it with instruments that have 22 frets should take the difference into account. The supplied data does not state the nut width, fret material, or string gauge.

Pickups and controls

The pickup configuration is SSS, meaning three single-coil pickups. The detailed specification identifies them as three hand-wound Custom Shop 11/56 single-coil pickups. Fender lists a master volume control, two tone controls, and a five-way switch. This describes the available control layout, but the supplied information does not specify the switching position assignments, potentiometer values, capacitor values, or pickup output measurements.

With no audio samples or listening tests provided, it would be misleading to assign a particular tone to these pickups. The hand-wound construction and Custom Shop designation are stated product details, not evidence of a specific sound or performance advantage. Buyers who need precise electrical specifications may want to confirm those details with Fender or the retailer before ordering.

Tremolo, hardware, and finish

The guitar is equipped with a Custom Shop RSD Strat tremolo, described in the general specification as a vintage tremolo. Nickel hardware and vintage-style tuning machines complete the listed hardware package. The information does not identify the tremolo's block material, saddle type, arm fit, or whether it is set up to float. It also does not describe the tuning machines' gear ratio.

The finish is Relic in Super Aged Desert Sand, and the pickguard is gold anodized. Relic is the stated finish treatment; the specifications do not explain the amount or placement of simulated wear. As a result, buyers should consult current product photographs for the visible appearance of the particular instrument being offered, rather than assume a specific wear pattern from the finish name alone.

Included items and edition details

This is a limited-edition Custom Shop model associated with the 1950 Stratocaster and a 2026 limited run. Fender lists a case and certificate as included. The separate "including case" field is marked yes, while the gig bag field is marked no. That distinction matters for buyers checking what arrives with the guitar: a case is specified, but a separate bag is not.

The item number is 652349, and the sales unit is one piece. The model designation, finish, and included accessories help identify the listed version, but the supplied data does not give a production quantity or confirm how many examples will be available through a particular dealer.

Who should consider this model?

The specification sheet may suit players looking for a US-made, limited Custom Shop Strat-style guitar with a maple neck and fingerboard, 21 frets, three hand-wound single-coil pickups, and a vintage-style tremolo. Its Relic finish and gold-anodized pickguard are defining visual details, while the included case and certificate are practical parts of the package.

At a listed price of 4969, verify the currency, availability, setup, and return terms with the seller. Since no customer feedback or independent play test is available here, this review is a specification-based assessment rather than a judgment of sound or feel. For an informed purchase, inspect the instrument's finish, confirm any missing measurements that matter to your setup, and ask the retailer to verify the exact included case and documentation.