The Fender Custom Shop 1965 Stratocaster Journeyman Relic – Aged Graffiti Yellow is a stunning tribute to one of the most vibrant and musically expressive eras in Fender history. Created exclusively for a Fender Custom Shop Event, this Stratocaster captures the essence of mid-’60s design and tone while offering the refined craftsmanship and nuanced playability that only the Custom Shop can deliver. With its striking vintage aesthetic, authentically aged finish, and hand-wound electronics, this instrument bridges the gap between classic style and modern performance.

The body of this 1965 Stratocaster is crafted from alder, a tonewood prized for its balance, warmth, and clarity. Its smooth response and full-spectrum resonance make it the perfect canvas for the Strat’s legendary tonal range. Finished in Aged Graffiti Yellow, the guitar radiates bold personality—an eye-catching color that immediately recalls the adventurous spirit of the mid-1960s. The Journeyman Relic treatment adds tasteful wear and lacquer checking, creating the look and feel of a cherished vintage guitar that has seen countless performances but has been cared for with love.

The maple neck is carved into a comfortable ’65 Strat “C” profile, providing a medium depth that feels instantly familiar in the hand—substantial enough for chord work but sleek enough for fast, expressive playing. Topped with a AAA rosewood laminated fingerboard, the neck exudes warmth and elegance, both visually and tonally. The rosewood delivers a rich, round midrange and smooth top end, perfectly complementing the Strat’s chime. A 9.5" radius and narrow tall 6105 frets offer a modern playing surface, ideal for effortless bends and precise articulation without sacrificing vintage character. The bone nut and 1.650" nut width ensure tuning stability, clarity, and sustain across the fretboard.

Under the hood, this Stratocaster sings with authentic 1960s tone, thanks to a trio of hand-wound ’65 Strat single-coil pickups. Each pickup captures the pure, articulate voice of mid-’60s Fender—bell-like highs, glassy mids, and tight, focused lows. The middle pickup is reverse-wound, reverse-polarity (RWRP) for noise-canceling performance in combined positions, delivering that quintessential Strat “quack” with stunning clarity. The Strat Vintage Mod wiring expands the tonal palette while maintaining the instrument’s iconic sonic identity, giving players a range of expressive options for stage or studio work.

Every component has been chosen with precision and authenticity in mind. The Custom Shop Vintage Strat Relic bridge provides smooth tremolo action and rock-solid stability, while the 3-ply parchment pickguard and subtly aged nickel/chrome hardware complete the timeless look. The relic’d control knobs and switch tip tie together the instrument’s cohesive, road-worn aesthetic—vintage character through and through.

Each Fender Custom Shop 1965 Stratocaster Journeyman Relic comes with a Deluxe Hardshell Case, a Custom Shop strap, and an official Certificate of Authenticity, confirming its pedigree as a genuine Fender Custom Shop creation.

With its lively tone, extraordinary craftsmanship, and iconic mid-’60s vibe, the Aged Graffiti Yellow 1965 Stratocaster Journeyman Relic stands as a shining example of what makes the Fender Custom Shop the ultimate destination for discerning players. It’s a guitar built to inspire—a modern masterpiece with the unmistakable soul of a vintage Strat.