Michael Landau has played on hundreds of records since the early 1980s, and this model is based on his own 1963 Stratocaster, down to its wear pattern. A select lightweight alder body carries a relic Fiesta Red over 3-Color Sunburst nitrocellulose finish, so the original sunburst shows through where the red has worn, with a 3-ply mint green pickguard and the small headstock of the period.
The maple neck has a custom "C" carve and a round-laminated rosewood board with a 7.25" radius and 21 narrow jumbo frets, a vintage radius with more fret height for bending. Three Custom Shop Fat '50s single-coils run through five-way switching, and the second tone knob covers the bridge pickup.
For his later guitar, with the large headstock, look at the Michael Landau Signature 1968 Stratocaster.
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: Select Lightweight Alder
Body Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Shape: Stratocaster
Pickguard: 3-Ply Mint Green
Aging: Relic
NECK
Neck Material: Maple
Neck Finish: Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Neck Shape: Custom "C"
Fingerboard Radius: 7.25" (184.1 mm)
Fingerboard Material: Round-Laminated Rosewood
Position Inlays: White Dot
Number of Frets: 21
Fret Size: Narrow Jumbo
Nut Material: Bone
Nut Width: 1.650" (42 mm)
Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
ELECTRONICS
Bridge Pickup: Custom Shop Fat '50s Single-Coil Strat
Middle Pickup: Custom Shop Fat '50s Single-Coil Strat
Neck Pickup: Custom Shop Fat '50s Single-Coil Strat
Pickup Configuration: SSS
Controls: Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck/Middle Pickups), Tone 2. (Bridge Pickup)
Switching: 5-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup, Position 3. Middle Pickup, Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup, Position 5. Neck Pickup
HARDWARE
Bridge: 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo
Hardware Finish: Nickel/Chrome
Tuning Machines: Vintage-Style
Control Knobs: Aged White Plastic
Strings: Fender USA 250R Nickel Plated Steel (.010-.046 Gauges), PN 0730250406
CASE
Case: Black Hardshell