The Johnny A. Signature Stratocaster brings together the details of his four favourite years, 1963 to 1966. A two-piece select alder body with an offset seam wears a Time Capsule flash coat lacquer finish, a thin lacquer coat, with a 3-ply mint green pickguard.
The 3A birdseye maple neck has a 1965 "C" carve and a round-laminated 3A rosewood board with a 7.25" radius and 21 medium jumbo 6150 frets, so it feels vintage in the hand while bends are less likely to choke than on small frets. Custom Shop hand-wound 11/56 single-coils sit in the neck and middle, with a special design bridge pickup. The wiring adds a blend control, so the neck pickup can be dialled into bridge positions and the bridge into neck positions, and the master volume has a Tone-Saver bleed to keep the top end as you roll it down.
Two finishes are offered: Lydian Gold Metallic, and Sunset Glow Metallic with Gold Hardware. For a straight mid '60s Strat with a relic finish, compare the 1965 Stratocaster Journeyman Relic.
The photos show one example. Wood grain and aging vary from guitar to guitar, so the one built for you will differ in the details.
SPECIFICATIONS
BODY
Country of Origin: USA
Body Material: 2-Piece Select Alder with Offset Seam
Body Finish: Flash Coat Lacquer
Body Shape: Stratocaster
Pickguard: 3-Ply Mint Green
Aging: Time Capsule
NECK
Neck Material: 3A Birdseye Maple
Neck Finish: Flash Coat Lacquer
Neck Shape: 1965 "C"
Fingerboard Radius: 7.25" (184.1 mm)
Fingerboard Material: Round-Laminated 3A Rosewood
Position Inlays: Vintage Clay Dot
Side Dots: Vintage Clay
Number of Frets: 21
Fret Size: Medium Jumbo (6150)
Truss Rod: Early '60s
Nut Material: Bone
Nut Width: 1.625" (41.3 mm)
Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
ELECTRONICS
Bridge Pickup: Custom Shop Hand-Wound Special Design Single-Coil Strat
Middle Pickup: Custom Shop Hand-Wound 11/56 Single-Coil Strat
Neck Pickup: Custom Shop Hand-Wound 11/56 Single-Coil Strat
Pickup Configuration: SSS
Controls: Master Volume with Tone-Saver Bleed, Master Tone, Neck/Bridge Pickup Blend
Switching: 5-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge with Neck Blend, Position 2. Bridge and Middle with Neck Blend, Position 3. Middle, Position 4. Neck and Middle with Bridge Blend, Position 5. Neck with Bridge Blend
HARDWARE
Bridge: Custom Shop Vintage Synchronized Tremolo
Hardware Finish: Nickel/Chrome or Gold (by finish)
Tuning Machines: Vintage-Style with Fender Logo
Tremolo Arm: Vintage Upgraded '60s
Control Knobs: Vintage-Style Skirted White Plastic
Strap Buttons: Vintage-Style
Strings: Fender USA 250R Nickel Plated Steel (.010-.046 Gauges), PN 0730250406
CASE
Case: Deluxe Hardshell