Fender Masterbuilt Brazilian Rosewood '59 Stratocaster Dakota Red By Todd Krause

Inspired by the legendary 1959 Stratocaster, this Fender Custom Shop Master Built model captures the tone, feel, and balance that define the golden late-’50s era. Finished in Dakota Red nitrocellulose lacquer with a Relic treatment, it wears its age naturally with subtle checking, worn edges, and softened contours that feel immediately familiar in the hands. It has the character of a guitar that’s been played for decades, without feeling overdone.

Under the hood, it’s fitted with hand-wound ’59 Strat single-coil pickups, delivering clear top end, open mids, and the dynamic response vintage Strats are known for. The quartersawn maple neck features a comfortable ’59-style oval “C” profile, paired with a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and 7.25" radius for an authentic vintage feel. Vintage-style tremolo and tuners complete the package, staying true to period-correct design while offering smooth, reliable performance. It’s a Master Built Strat that balances history, playability, and unmistakable Fender tone.

Specifications

Builder:
• Master Built by Todd Krause
• Fender Custom Shop, USA

Model:
• ’59 Stratocaster Relic
• Wildwood 10 Series

Body:
• Select Alder body
• Nitrocellulose lacquer finish
• Relic ageing
• Two-piece body
• Weight: 3.26kg

Neck:
• Quartersawn Maple neck
• 1959 “C” profile
• Nitrocellulose lacquer finish (Relic)
• 25.5" scale length
• Bone nut
• Hand-shaped neck by Master Builder

Fingerboard:
• Brazilian Rosewood
• 7.25" radius
• Vintage-style frets (21)
• Clay dot inlays

Pickups & Electronics:
• John Cruz LTD Hand-wound ’59 Strat single-coil pickups
• 5-way selector switch
• Vintage-style wiring
• Master volume, two tone controls

Hardware:
• Vintage-style tremolo bridge
• Vintage tuners
• Aged hardware throughout

Additional Details:
• Relic Custom Shop logo on headstock
• Signed Master Built Certificate of Authenticity
• Fender Custom Shop case

Custom Shop Masterbuilt

Each Fender Custom Shop Master Built guitar is a true one of one instrument, handcrafted from start to finish by a single Master Builder. These guitars represent the absolute pinnacle of Fender craftsmanship. Every detail from wood selection to neck carve and finish is personally executed and signed by the builder. With fine attention to detail, bespoke specifications, and the rarest materials, Master Built instruments deliver unmatched tone, feel, and individuality. Highly collectible and deeply personal, Master Built guitars sit at the very top of Fender Custom Shop production.