A used Fender Custom Shop "50's Stratocaster Lush Closet Classic Mercedes Blue" has arrived. It's a 2025 model.
This guitar boasts a beautiful Mercedes Blue color, a "Lush Closet Classic" finish that maintains its luster despite weather checking, a one-piece birdseye maple neck, and blender controls—a truly unique combination. This particular model is a 2025 Stratocaster with a "LIMITED EDITION" decal on the back of the headstock.
While based on a 1956-type Stratocaster, its custom color and 3-ply pickguard mean it doesn't perfectly fit a specific year, hence the "50's Stratocaster" model name. The body color is a deep navy blue, Mercedes Blue, rarely seen on models like the Clapton signature model.
It's an elegant and beautiful color, but upon closer inspection, fine weather checking is visible on the paintwork. The body features the "Lush Closet Classic" finish, adopted in 2017.
While the traditional Closet Classic concept aimed to recreate a guitar that had been forgotten and stored in a closet for many years, the Lush Closet Classic finish recreates a guitar that has been well-maintained to keep it in good condition, but has still experienced some aging, such as paint cracking and slight tarnishing of metal parts.
Therefore, damage such as paint chips and scratches is considerably minimized, and it retains a beautiful luster despite some weather checking. The paint film is also quite thin, giving it a unique texture that is more than just beautiful.
The neck is a one-piece neck made of AAA-grade birdseye maple. The beautiful neck, with its fine birdseye pattern, somehow evokes the atmosphere of a 90s Custom Shop guitar.
The neck shape is "Large C," a fairly thick shape that provides a substantial grip. The frets are 6105 narrow-tall size, and the fingerboard radius is 9.5 inches, which are standard specifications for recent Fender guitars.
The neck finish also shows weather checking, but the surface is finished very smoothly, and there is almost no feeling of snagging when playing. The pickups are the classic Custom Shop Fat '50s.
The three knobs are master volume, master tone, and blender control. The blender operates in the rear pickup position alone, or in the middle + rear position, and as you turn the knob back from the fully turned position, the sound of the front pickup is gradually mixed in—a unique circuit.
This allows you to produce a front + rear mixed sound similar to a Telecaster, which is not possible with a regular Stratocaster, or a sound combining all three pickups. And as for the sound itself, as expected from a Stratocaster with a one-piece maple neck, the front pickup has a thick and sweet tone, while the middle and rear pickups offer a tight low end and a powerful sound with a strong attack.
Furthermore, the front + rear pickup mix sound obtained by the blender is also appealing. For those who like to strum chords with a crisp, jangly sound in the Telecaster's mixed position, this is a very user-friendly sound.
With its beautiful Mercedes Blue color and distinctive look thanks to the birdseye maple neck, plus the rich sound variations provided by the blender control, this guitar is not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly practical. Basic maintenance and cleaning have been completed, so it's in ready-to-play condition!
Exterior condition: Relic finish. Truss rod: Plenty of adjustment range remaining.
Fret condition: Approximately 80% remaining. *No buzzing or dead spots; in good condition! Nut width: Approximately 42mm (measured) Accessories: Only those listed on the listing page are included.
Customs Duty & Import Taxes
Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility.
Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying.