When we look at the specification sheet, it's clear why the David Gilmour Signature Stratocaster (official name) is such a special instrument. Starting with the looks, the NOS (New Old Stock) model goes for a clearly vintage unused appearance, while the Relic model, with purposefully "wear and tear" worked into the guitar where you can even see the original Sunburst finish under the black nitrocellulose lacquer.
The alder body was carefully selected with a double layer of paint, where the black lacquer covers the once original Sunburst finish (yes, the Black Strat was not always black), the one-piece maple neck of a very distinctive and intense yellow/orange tone comes in a 1983 Thin-Shouldered "C" duplicated from David's 1983 U.S. Vintage '57 Strat®, a shortened Tremolo Arm just the way David liked it, and custom beveled tremolo block, no back tremolo cover plate, black dot position inlays with narrow spacing.
Every detail is safeguarded down to the aged white pup covers, and aged parchment control knobs, to give you a faithful re-creation of David's notorious "Black Strat".
Detailed info
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When you're ready
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S/S/S pickup configuration are to David's specifications, with a Seymour Duncan SSL-5 Single Coil Strat on the bridge, a Custom-Wound Single-Coil Strat in the middle and for a robust sound in the Neck, a Custom Shop Fat '50s Strat. The five position pickup switch (or blade) gives the usual pup combinations, and the tone boosters work on the neck and middle pups.
You may have noticed (or not) a small metallic switch between the master volume and pup switch. That is a device called a "Pickup Enhancement Switch" that amplifies volume and character to the pup's sound.
An instrument this special, obviously comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from the Fender Custom Shop, signed by the louthier who gave life to the ream. If we talk about price, well, it's obvious that one of the FCS crown jewls woudn't be cheap. It will set you back about 5,000 bucks, but that is a small price to play phrases and solos to Comfortably Numb with the same exact sound on your very own Black Strat.
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Audio test
The Fender Custom Shop Black Strat is available in two models: NOS and Relic.
The mini switch between the volume knob and pickup switch enhances the pups sound.