First off, I'd like to make a note that all the parts I use are NEW or a RE-PRO of an existing part. There are one or two pieces I used that are actual vintage parts! To those who are seeking alternatives to the items that I will demonstrate, there are a dozen sites that can offer similar parts. I will provide photos and websites that I used in determining the items I chose to use in my build as well as the items I have. Feel free to ask questions about my build and also feedback would help me too! I'd like to hear what all of you have to say, so please comment!
I had an opportunity to play the Fender Custom Shop Relic David Gilmour Black Strat at my local Guitar Center here in San Diego, California. My first impressions were everlasting, echoing for some time in my mind until I decided to build one for my own. I have the Black Strat book written by Phil Taylor that depicts all corners of Gilmour's guitar. This will be all I have for a reference, and thus begin my extended purchases for the build of Jewel.
For more information on the Black Strat, Visit www.fender.com/gilmour
First things first is a body. Now I've played different years on the Strat, and over the decades Fender has released several different body shapes and contours, ranging from the 50's, 60's, 70's, and 80's onward. So which one does the Black Strat have?
David's Black Strat was difficult to date, as there was no dating on the body itself. It was dated to been made in 1969, and was sold to him on May 1970 at Manny's in New York. When I had found a photo of a prototype Black Strat compared to the REAL Black Strat, I noticed the different shape in the contour. This was the case to the majority of older, vintage bodies since they were all hand made. So to make sure it was a '69 body, I scavenged the internet looking for that exact shape and found out a '68 body sharing the same contour as its successor. Fender Custom Shop used a general late 60's wide body contour which covers a bigger part of the body than the original. In order to get that same body, you'd have to by an ORIGINAL '69 body, which is WAY out of anyone's budget! There are differences between a '68 and '69 body, with how rounded the pickup cavities are, the contours and the paint used. Even Gilmour's strat isn't completely black! It originally had a 3-tone sunburst nitro spray before it got shot with a black UAC paint as a custom color from Fender. So what's my alternative? Let's go for a Black '69 Fender CS Strat body!
 | |
| Top: Fender Custom Shop '69 Body Black Strat Prototype ; Bottom: David Gilmour's original Black Strat |
David's Black Strat was difficult to date, as there was no dating on the body itself. It was dated to been made in 1969, and was sold to him on May 1970 at Manny's in New York. When I had found a photo of a prototype Black Strat compared to the REAL Black Strat, I noticed the different shape in the contour. This was the case to the majority of older, vintage bodies since they were all hand made. So to make sure it was a '69 body, I scavenged the internet looking for that exact shape and found out a '68 body sharing the same contour as its successor. Fender Custom Shop used a general late 60's wide body contour which covers a bigger part of the body than the original. In order to get that same body, you'd have to by an ORIGINAL '69 body, which is WAY out of anyone's budget! There are differences between a '68 and '69 body, with how rounded the pickup cavities are, the contours and the paint used. Even Gilmour's strat isn't completely black! It originally had a 3-tone sunburst nitro spray before it got shot with a black UAC paint as a custom color from Fender. So what's my alternative? Let's go for a Black '69 Fender CS Strat body!
 |
| Fender '69 Custom Shop Select Alder Black Thin-Nitro Stratocaster Body |
Bingo! What I have here is a Fender Custom Shop '69 Black NOS Right-Handed Select Two-Piece Alder Stratocaster Body! At this moment, I haven't weighted it, so I'm not sure how heavy it is, but it's very light in my hands, with an average weight for Alder bodies between 3.5 - 4.5 lbs. It's very comfortable to hold, since this has the thin nitrocellulose paint & clear coat lacquer (more on that below). Now, we all know that there are Stratocaster replica bodies available, so I'll show you in the following photos what you should look at in finding differences between a copy and a Genuine Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster Body.
 |
| The birth certificate |
This particular body came with a Genuine Certificate of Authenticity from Fender's Custom Shop. Note that this certificate has gold and red on the logo, and it shines. Also, the large Fender name and Custom Shop logo are raised. Unfortunately, I cannot determine if the signature is real or not, but I'm guessing that its printed beforehand, since it's difficult to sign each one by one. Limited Edition Custom Shop Strat's that are limited in numbers are signed, as to their rarity and to the masterbuilder. The product and creation date and serial number is printed afterwards. This sheet is also heavy stock, and is tinted with a slight cobalt blue tone to it.
Here you have the original neckplate that came with this specific guitar. On earlier models such as the early 50's into the mid 60's, it was simply a blank neckplate with a serial number stamped on top end of it. For later 60's to mid 70's Strat's, a large F is on the front following with the serial number stamped above. Having this is key, since it verifies the authenticity of this Fender Custom Shop '69 RI Strat Body.
Here you have the original neckplate that came with this specific guitar. On earlier models such as the early 50's into the mid 60's, it was simply a blank neckplate with a serial number stamped on top end of it. For later 60's to mid 70's Strat's, a large F is on the front following with the serial number stamped above. Having this is key, since it verifies the authenticity of this Fender Custom Shop '69 RI Strat Body.
The Fender Custom Shop Bodies carries marks to verify that it is an authentic product of FMIC. I believe during production of the body, specific points are heat-stamped with preparation destinations and styles. For this particular body, they have heat-stamped "RELIC" on specific parts on the body. I've seen other Custom Shop Bodies with other words such as "NOS" and year specifics. The Fender Custom Shop NOS Gilmour Black Strat is stamped "GIL NOS" at the neck pickup cavity. For mine, the neck pickup is stamped with the words "LACQ" indicating that this is a Thin-Nitrocellulose Lacquer Painted body. More on this particular paint later in this build. Second, the middle pickup cavity is stamped with a 9 digit number. This is not the COA serial number. This number was probably used to indicate what body style this is during production and to designate it to the proper build department.
The first heat-stamped "RELIC" will be located on the front right fascia of the body. This one is unique as this one has the original, old-style Fender Custom Shop logo on top of the word (A photo is provided to show you what you'll be looking for). Now make note that this stamp has been made BEFORE the body was painted. If the stamp is done on top of the paint, chances are that this body is a Fake. Notice as well that there is a specific font that is used all around the body. Any other style for will make this a candidate for fraudulence. It is important to ask for photos of these specific areas prior to purchase to make sure you're not getting ripped off! |
| Today's Version #2 Custom Shop Logo |
 |
| Original Version #1 Custom Shop Logo |
 |
| Body ID number and "LACQ" word stamp inside pickup cavities |
The second heat-stamped "RELIC" is located at the top of the Tremolo cavity. Make note that if this isn't visible, it might be a Fake. The Tremolo cavity also isn't milled out smooth like the Mexican and both American series and vintage Strat's. This one is smoother than the inside of my MIJ Squier but not as smooth as the others. This is one piece of detail to look for in determining it's authenticity. Remember that all stamps beside the one in the neck pocket are added on before painting, and if it's done after, it's most likely a copy.
The third heat-stamped "RELIC" will be located on the back neck butt of the body. Note the direction of the word on the body. If this is positioned in any other way or not visible at all, be advised to a copy!
The fourth and last stamped "RELIC" is located in the neck pocket. Just as the stamp on the backside, this one is stamped vertically. Any other way, makes it questionable, and if not visible, most likely a fake. The writing was possibly made by one the builders to indicate either paint time or simply the finish date of the body. The top five numbers looks to me like a date (10 is the year, 12 is the date and 9 is the month) which is close to its birth date, and the body ID number that is located at the middle pickup cavity. I've seen some CS bodies come with or without this writing.
These Custom Shop bodies have drilled out the Tremolo Cavity in a somewhat crude fashion. You'll notice that the left side of this cavity is not fully rounded, as if the took out a little more than they should. This is a dead giveaway to a CS body. This does not affect the use of the Tremolo and it won't rub on the Tremolo Block. If you see a unified route on a CS, chances are it's not real.
On Post '50's Strat bodies, there will be an added portion of wood for an additional screw to go into for the pickguard. Also notice the ditch going from the tunnel in between the middle and bridge pickup cavity to the electronics cavity. This is to guide the wires from the pickups to the electronics. If this isn't on the body, or routed in a different way besides this one, you most likely have a copy. Also, these cavities are painted as well, except for the body ID, which has been taped off to preserve the numbers.
 |
| '69 Deep Tummy Cut Contour |
Now as for the tummy cut, this body has one that isn't as deep as a '50's style body or the shallow Post-'70's bodies. For my size, this body contours around my ribcage just fine, making it amazingly comfortable to rest on. Based on your preferences, you might like your deeper if you are slightly heavier or shallow if you're skinny.
This body has a slightly deep arm contour, but not as thinned out as the '50's body or thick as the Post-'70's bodies. The arm contour was Fender's response to the many complaints customers had with the Broadcaster, No-Caster and Telecaster shaped bodies, which was just a cut-out body with no contours. This will be the closest I will get into having the same contour as the Black Strat.
Here is a full shot of how big these contours are on a Fender Custom Shop '69 Stratocaster Body.
Here are additional photos of the Fender Custom Shop '69 Stratocaster Alder Body.
So far so good! The body has a ding or two, and scratch or so, and possibly one or more screw holes offset for the pickguard. With that, there's a lot of fine swirl marks all around. This body is in fact in great condition, and all those issues mentioned earlier, will be taken care of when it goes to Top Gear Pro Guitar Shop for a proper setup! Well what's the second most important part of the guitar? The '57 reissue neck! On the next post, we'll look into the necks Gilmour had and currently is using on his Black Strat.
David Sarmiento
