2005 FENDER STRATOCASTER ’66 CUSTOM SHOP CLOSET CLASSIC RELIC ~ICE BLUE METALLIC

You know that feeling when you tell yourself, "I'm just going to browse for five minutes"... and forty-five minutes later you're convincing yourself that selling a kidney is a perfectly reasonable financial strategy?

Yeah... this is one of those guitars.

This 2005 Fender Custom Shop '66 Stratocaster Closet Classic is dripping with vintage mojo without forcing you to inherit someone else's decades of sweat, cigarette smoke, questionable modifications, and mysterious bar-room DNA. Fender's Closet Classic treatment gives you all the broken-in vibe of a cherished original that spent most of its life tucked safely away—because apparently this one understood the value of staying out of trouble.

Finished in the absolutely gorgeous Ice Blue Metallic, this Strat shifts beautifully under the light, ranging from icy silver to soft blue depending on the angle. Pair that with the amber-tinted maple neck and you've got one seriously classy-looking instrument that screams 1966... without screaming 1966.

Plug it in and you'll quickly understand why the Custom Shop has the reputation it does. The trio of Custom Shop vintage-style single coils delivers everything you hope a great Strat should—glassy neck tones, quacky in-between positions, and a bridge pickup that actually wants to be invited to the party instead of being left on timeout.

If guitars could smile...

...this one would have perfect teeth.

Specs:

• Model: Custom Shop '66 Stratocaster Closet Classic Limited Edition
• Finish: Ice Blue Metallic Closet Classic
• Body: Alder
• Neck: Maple
• Neck Shape: Mid-'60s "C" Profile
• Fingerboard: Maple
• Fingerboard Radius: 9.5"
• Scale Length: 25.5"
• Nut Width: 1.650" (Approx. 42 mm)
• Frets: 21 Vintage Style
• Inlays: Black Dot
• Pickups: 3 Fender Custom Shop Vintage Style Single-Coils
• Controls: Master Volume, Tone, Tone, 5-Way Blade Switch
• Bridge: Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo
• Tuners: Vintage Kluson-Style
• Pickguard: 3-Ply White
• Hardware: Nickel/Chrome
• Weight: 7.8 LBS
• Serial #: R28703

Condition:

She was born on September 8th, 2005, and remains in excellent Closet Classic condition. The original Closet Classic aging is exactly as intended by the Fender Custom Shop, with tasteful finish checking and light simulated wear throughout. Beyond the factory relic treatment, there is only minimal evidence of actual use. The frets show very little wear, the neck feels fantastic, and everything functions exactly as it should.

She includes the original Fender Custom Shop Limited Edition hard case, Certificate of Authenticity, case candy, tremolo arm, strap, and everything shown in the photos.

If you've been searching for a Custom Shop Strat that nails the look, feel, and tone of a great mid-'60s Strat without venturing into six-figure vintage territory, this one deserves a serious look.

Fair warning though...

Once you pick it up, your other guitars may start pretending they need fresh strings just to get your attention.

Whoever brings this baby home is gonna be STOKED!!