Fender LTD '65 Dual Mag Strat CFM

Fender LTD '65 Dual Mag Strat CFM review

The Fender LTD '65 Dual Mag Strat CFM is a limited-run, U.S.-made electric guitar based on the 1965 Stratocaster. Its specification pairs a two-piece select alder body with a quarter-sawn maple neck, a rosewood fingerboard, and a set of Custom Shop hand-wound Dual Mag II pickups. Fender lists a vintage-style synchronized tremolo and a modified number two circuit with a Tone Saver bleed. These details make the model a clearly specified vintage-inspired instrument, though the available information does not include measured performance data or player feedback.

The listed price is 4,899, with no currency specified in the supplied product details. The model is identified as a 2023 limited run and has been available since March 2024. Those dates describe the edition and its availability, but do not establish how many guitars were produced or whether additional units remain in stock. No customer reviews are available, so this assessment is based only on the published specifications.

Body, neck, and fingerboard

The body is made from two pieces of select alder, with no separate top. Its finish is Faded Aged Charcoal Frost Metallic, while the general color listing gives Charcoal. The finish name suggests a metallic appearance, but the supplied details do not describe the exact aging treatment or the guitar's weight. Alder is the stated body wood; there is no basis here for claims about the tonal effect of this particular instrument.

The quarter-sawn maple neck has a 1965-style C profile and a graphite nut. Fender specifies a rosewood fingerboard with a 9.5-inch radius and 21 narrow-tall frets. This gives buyers concrete dimensions and fret information to compare against their preferences. However, the listed specifications do not provide neck thickness measurements, fret material, or a factory setup description.

The scale is listed as 648 mm, approximately 25.5 inches, and the guitar has a conventional six-string Strat-style outline. The combination of a longer scale, 21 frets, and the stated neck profile places the core dimensions firmly in familiar Stratocaster territory. Individual comfort will still depend on factors such as setup and hand size, which cannot be determined from a specification sheet.

Pickups, controls, and tremolo

The pickup system is an SSS configuration, meaning three single-coil pickups. The set is described as Custom Shop hand-wound Dual Mag II, with a reverse-wound, reverse-polarity middle pickup. That middle-pickup detail identifies a specific design choice, but the product information does not publish output readings, magnet strength, or a detailed wiring diagram. Claims about noise reduction, frequency response, or how the pickups compare with other Fender sets would therefore go beyond the available evidence.

The circuit is a Vintage Modified number two design with a Tone Saver bleed. The supplied listing names the circuit and component feature but does not explain their exact operation or specify the control layout. Buyers who need to confirm switching options or the behavior of the tone controls should consult Fender's wiring documentation or verify the details with the seller before purchase.

For vibrato, the guitar uses a Custom Shop vintage-style synchronized tremolo. Vintage-style machine heads complete the stated hardware package. The specifications do not identify the bridge's adjustment range, saddle material, tuning stability under heavy use, or the machine-head gear ratio. Those are useful points to check in person, particularly for players who rely on frequent tremolo use.

Finish, case, and buying considerations

A three-ply black pickguard provides the listed contrast against the charcoal metallic finish. The package includes a deluxe hard case and a certificate of authenticity. The product data explicitly says no gig bag is included, which is consistent with the hard case being the supplied carrying option. Made in the USA is also specified.

The strongest documented reasons to consider this model are its limited-run status, its 1965 Stratocaster basis, and its named Custom Shop pickup set. The detailed neck and fingerboard dimensions help make the listing more useful than one that gives only broad material descriptions. At the same time, the high listed price cannot be evaluated fully from the specifications alone. There is no information here on setup quality, inspection results, production quantity, or resale value.

Before ordering, confirm the currency and final price, the exact condition of the individual guitar, and the availability of the certificate and hard case. It is also sensible to request current photos and verify the control and tremolo details if they affect the buying decision. With no customer reviews supplied, the Fender LTD '65 Dual Mag Strat CFM is best assessed as a specification-led limited edition, not as a model with proven user consensus.