NGD 56 Fender CS Strat Relic

[Ken Fortunato]

Man... This guitar is a first for me on so many levels...

First of all, I was never a big fan of relic guitars. Secondly, I was reasonably sure that I would never buy a Custom Shop Fender, EVER! I just didn't see how they could take such a simple design and improve it to the tune of $3,000.00. At any rate... After playing my friend's CS Nocaster Relic, I figured it was time to take a shot on one of these and I'm glad I did.

The neck is quite a bit chunkier than my Fender AVRI Strat, which is what I was hoping for. The 9.5" fretboard radius, while not vintage spec, is a huge plus to me. The guitar, in general terms, just feels like home... The relic job is really kind of nice, (yeah, I said that). The finish checking is subtle and realistic. The metal parts aging looks good too.

Here are a few quick cell phone pics... The color is actually not quite that blue.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mike Slubowski for hooking me up with Lance and Bruce at Wildwood. These guys are first rate and an absolute pleasure to deal with. Thanks again Mike! I truly appreciate it!!! :salude

Here's Greg's video of the guitar I have...

 

[DMartini]

happy NGD Kenny, Sonic?

I love my 2006 2TS, I think Fender does a good job on the light relic/time machine series, not that big a fan of the uber relics when the give the guitar to a 7 year old kid and tell him to drag it down the street behind his bike for the day.

 

[Ken Fortunato]

happy NGD Kenny, Sonic?

Thanks! :salude

It's Taos Turquoise... It's really a hard color to capture with a cell phone cam.

 

[renderit]

Nice! I would assume it sounds like heaven? HNGD Dude!

 

[ajmojave]

Thanks! :salude

It's Taos Turquoise... It's really a hard color to capture with a cell phone cam.

What a Beauty

 

[Ken Fortunato]

Nice! I would assume it sounds like heaven? HNGD Dude!

Sure does! :salude

What a Beauty

Thanks. :salude

 

[Ace139]

Nice!! looks like the 6105 fret wire too? That combined with the big radius and the qurter sawn neck, you cant lose. Congrats!:salude

 

[Ken Fortunato]

Nice!! looks like the 6105 fret wire too? That combined with the big radius and the qurter sawn neck, you cant lose. Congrats!:salude

Thanks! :salude

Yup... That's 6105 fret wire... eace2

 

[Ken Fortunato]

The two girls are getting along nicely...

 

[DMartini]

that's a nice photo of a nice pair Kenny! eace2

Taos is a rare colour to track down, congrats :salude

rock those babies out :hank

 

[renderit]

So (and pardon my ignorance here (and it is not feigned)) how does the pecking order go on these. I never could figure out the myriad classes of Fender.

1) Mexican built
2) USA Built
3) USA Built with good parts but not realistic to vintage
4) USA Built with good parts and kinda vintage
5) Custom Shop Standards
6) Custom Shop 10's
7) Custom Shop built by individuals

I don't know their names so if somebody could fill me in it would be great.

 

[Ken Fortunato]

that's a nice photo of a nice pair Kenny! eace2

Taos is a rare colour to track down, congrats :salude

rock those babies out :hank

Thank you! Will do! :salude

 

[Ken Fortunato]

So (and pardon my ignorance here (and it is not feigned)) how does the pecking order go on these. I never could figure out the myriad classes of Fender.

1) Mexican built
2) USA Built
3) USA Built with good parts but not realistic to vintage
4) USA Built with good parts and kinda vintage
5) Custom Shop Standards
6) Custom Shop 10's
7) Custom Shop built by individuals

I don't know their names so if somebody could fill me in it would be great.

Dang... :hmm

Knowing you... Let me see if I can shorthand this for ya... Buy a Wildwood 10 in the color of your choice and be done with it... Seriously! eace2

 

[DMartini]

Ren, you left out... 8/ Japanese Fender with USA pickups some real bargains to be had there for sure

 

[garywright]

congrat Kenny :salude

 

[Ken Fortunato]

congrat Kenny :salude

Thank you my friend... :salude

I can't begin to tell you how much I'm enjoying this guitar. It's only the 3rd guitar I've ever owned that "I feel it, I play it, and the instrument gives me back exactly what I felt", if that makes any sense... It's actually been a life altering experience for me, as I now feel that I only need those three guitars. Not even half kidding!

Seriously! Something happened to me... Not sure what it is, but I'm just loving life a whole lot more right now...

 

[garywright]

..I'm still on cloud9 with my new Ric 660/12 so I do know exactly where you're coming from. :jim

 

[Ken Fortunato]

..I'm still on cloud9 with my new Ric 660/12 so I do know exactly where you're coming from. :jim

I hear ya brother... :salude :salude :salude

 

[Stoj]

Nice Score Kenny, Congrats :salude

 

[Pickdropper]

Wow Kenny, sounds like you found a good one! Congrats.