Why I Sold My Masterbuilt For A Fender Custom Shop Relic Strat.

It's New Guitar Day at The studio Rats HQ. In today's video, we are looking at my new /old Fender Custom Shop 56 Relic Strat.
I've always owned 60s style Fender Stratocasters, on a Strat I normally prefer rosewood necks due to their warmer tone, but for some time I've been lusting over 50's style strats for that extra zing caused by a maple fretboard
The Studio Rats are core band members Paul Drew on guitar/production/mixing, drummer James Ivey and Dan Hawkins on bass. They collaborate with singers and musicians to produce radio-ready songs.

[@jordanrinella8118]

My “new gear day” is called “what else I’m now hiding from the wife day.”

[@Funkybassuk]

I got rid of the wife and kept the gear 😂

[@-_AjB_-]

Don't forget, it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.

[@heres_johnny9151]

and any monetary questions should be answered in the range of $600

[@Paul_Davies77]

My £900 partscaster was a £70 amazon build yourself package 😀

[@lelandgaunt7130]

I bet your wife's boyfriend doesn't need permission to buy new gear.

[@PeteHoward777]

I bought an American Pro 2 Strat recently and it’s great to be honest . The bridge is on the bottom tone knob already , as well as other configs that that they have incorporated on the pickup selector too . I couldn’t afford one of the ones you have 😂.. I’m very happy with mine though . Cheers 👍🏻

[@Place_to_keep_videos]

There's something about Strats that gets on so well with modulation effects.... Especially Rotary, Univibe and Dimension C. Congrats on the wonderful new guitar and keep on making great videos. Cheers from the Colonies. 🇬🇧❤️🇺🇲

[@otaviosmartins1]

To me what make strats (and Jazzmasters) sound so good with modulations is the scoopyness of the pickups.

[@justinguitarcia]

Yep, the weaker pickups dont slam the front end of the effect allowing it to breath more. You can really pile on the effects on a jazzmaster and still have clarity and definition

[@nekkon1989]

Same with Gretsch guitars

[@orryfishburne5326]

What a beautiful instrument! Sounds gorgeous and that neck is stunning

[@fraenkiboii]

I'm more of a 60s rosewood guy, too, like you said. But I can understand why you love this guitar. The neck does look beautiful!

[@matthewf1979]

The Journeyman relic is my favorite! I could do without the 9.5” radius boards, but they’re otherwise perfect. I have a ‘57 and two ‘59 team built Strats. Absolutely fantastic guitars.

[@k8923]

Loved the sound of the low E string on the intro piece, which overall sounded magnificent.

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers K

[@Richard_Lush]

Got a 56 CS strat used for just over 4K Canadian. It’s from 2019, reliced but not too much. The sound is amazing and the neck is perfect for me. So light. Best Strat I’ve ever played or owned. It’s a keeper. Heard the difference between the wiring. I’ll probably get that done. Thanks for the tip 👍

[@Shashli4ok]

Amazing strat! Sounds incredible! Great demo!👌👌👌

[@andrewslads]

I got a 1956 custom shop strat from 2011 . Sounds incredible . Sounds just like this one .

[@djfusion2808]

Absolutely beautiful tone! Right down the other end of the cost spectrum I've got an early 90s MIJ 57 reissue that looks exactly like your relic, even has a few dings in the same spots! It's not on the same level as a Custom Shop but boy it has some serious mojo, I'll never let it go.

[@TheStudioRats]

If you find a good one like you have there’s no point in getting a custom shop.

[@Adayinthelife666]

Paul, what a wonderful soft tone at the beginning! Last year I bought a 1961 relic custom shop Rory Gallagher Strat that sounds in a similar way like your‘s. 😊

[@TheStudioRats]

Ooh those RG strats are killer.

[@Adayinthelife666]

@@TheStudioRats Yes, I agree!

[@user-ev2qo1hj1g]

I have had 3 masterbuilts and I honestly didn't think they sounded any better. But I did notice the neck fit and fret work was superb on them. To be honest the best strat I have had ever is the 56 wildwood spec custom shop I have now. It is a relic with maple neck and it just rips

[@TheStudioRats]

Thanks for sharing

[@user-ev2qo1hj1g]

@@TheStudioRats You got it!

[@Mayathetherian733]

Edited this out once I realized you didn't sell the pink paisley one. Keep it up, Paul! Your tones and style are eminently listenable, which is (or should be) the goal!

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Chris that Paisley one’s a keeper

[@billgreen3629]

I had a brief moment of panic about that too.

[@HaShemMetal]

@5:33…as I get older, I prefer single coils for pretty much everything. A traditional strat or tele with single coils through a high gain amp is tonal bliss in my eyes.

[@garyjackson5795]

That's a gorgeous and classic-sounding Strat, Paul - congrats on bagging such a beauty. One small request - it'd be great if you could annotate your videos with, or note in the video description a little more detail describing which amps / amp models you're using to get these great sounds we hear. Thanks for the great content!

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Gary, yes I think that would be a good idea.

[@AlanJan_UK_49]

I'd also like to know how you got those beautiful sounds. I bought the 54 ? Anniversary Strat because it sounded so good. It's a HEAVY relic and I bet you'd make it scream. Since buying that I've kept out of guitar shops !!!!

[@rmarlin]

For me it is all about the neck, if I don't love the neck I won't kept it. I have one of the sunburst Ancho Poblano Stratocasters, with a 1951 U neck profile and love it, more is sometimes better.

[@PhreddCrintt]

Love the tone Paul.

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Mike

[@windmillcancersurvivor2568]

My wife always finds out. Stellar sounds!

[@andrewshaw3373]

I think it was 1959 when rosewood was introduced. I have a 1959 CS Strat, which has a Rosewood fretboard

[@gae7081]

Coz' you're Crazy!!!😂😂😂😂 The TCS sounds soooo gooood man, and the neck, the fretboard...incredible!!! OMG, that sound!!! I own an American Stratocaster and It sounds Amazing but nothing comparable with yours...😭 Also the Telly Is sooo gooood!!! I love your videos, your playing and your guitars could make me cry.

[@beestew79]

I had to watch just to make sure you didn't sell that pink Paisley. Phew!!! Congrats on your new guitar.

[@johncrace911]

Yes, my 60s closet classic came with a 3 way switch. I had my tech replace it with a EBMM 5 way and of course kept the 3 way just in case

[@Teachering]

A lovely sounding Fender Strat

[@IamMusicNerd]

Good to know someone else is as indecisive with guitars as I am. I constantly end up selling guitars to buy new ones. Most of the time I feel like I upgraded, but occasionally I wish I had kept the old one. The only guitar I have ever owned that I know I will keep forever no matter what is my custom PRS Modern Eagle V. But every other guitar I own, even the custom shop ones, are possible I could sell them someday to justify buying something else. 😂

[@k8923]

GAS is a terrible thing.

[@shredmaster974]

I suggest trying to build a partscaster. Mine ended up my gas because i can always improve my beloved guitar instead of buying a new one ... (Looks at guitar shelf) and also now i have a few guitars that i have built (i swap the neck on a guitar and oh look i have a spare neck so i buy parts endlessly haha) this is the new gas i believe 😅

[@bernie_smith]

My first tone control impacts all PUPS and the second is a neck PUP blend. I particulaly love the ability to blend in some neck with the bridge PUP. My guitar is a modded V62 Re-issue I purchased in 1989.

[@jeremyversusjazz]

nice. sounds killer-loved that jason smith sparkly red one too, tho! i just bought a 57 cs heavy relic gold over sunburst-stunnning and sounds amazing with the soft V neck.

[@jeremyversusjazz]

@chris rocco it's ash--the grain is beautiful which you can see clearly in sections.

[@jeremyversusjazz]

@chris rocco "HW 57 Strat" is what the floor traveller says...they sound killer to me :)

[@jeremyversusjazz]

@chris rocco neck is perfect soft V but a little chunk in it...

[@denbodg9311]

I love it. It sounds excellent. Why? Because before the plethora of models Fender have now, they made the ‘57 AVRI Strat in 1982. I bought one used in 2008. I have other Strats, a new ‘61 Vintage 2, a Strat Pro 2, & a Roadworn 60’s. Nothing sounds, plays & feels like my first year 41 year old Fullerton made ‘57. I wouldn’t part with it for a gold pig 😁 I have mine wired with the first tone control as a master tone in all positions, & I had to replace the toggle switch, otherwise, it’s stock. Nice one Mate👍

[@MRxr400]

just a note, you play a big E power chord the same as me, and i've never seen anyone else do it. at the 4min mark. guitar sounds and looks great.

[@AlanJan_UK_49]

I'm new here. Very impressed with the sounds and that power chord. Been guitar mad for 60 years and to this day I cannot play that B with my little finger like he does. It will not bend flat - such a pity.

[@nowornever2504]

Calling rosewood warm sounding is a misnomer. I put a rosewood neck on a light weights swamp ash strat. It has nice lows, slightly scooped mids, and nice singing shimmering highs. I’m a huge fan of rosewood neck. Not just the fingerboard but the whole neck. Not a fan of maple except as a figured top on a guitar body.

[@gregs8685]

I think it is fair to say a rosewood fingerboard results in a warmer sound than a maple fingerboard, all other things being equal. That has been my experience.

[@justinrayguitars6024]

Wonderful tone and that neck is stunning. New subscriber!

[@stevemiell4555]

Love the neck on that strat, just bought my first strat: CS '63 the 5 position switch gives me so many options I'd not found on a tele or a Les Paul

[@adriangravelle2263]

Sad to see the other one sold off as it was pretty cool, however the new axe is pretty nice too!

[@TheStudioRats]

Don’t worry there’s another guitar coming soon to scratch that itch. The point of selling off the masterbuilt and another was to get a Strat and something else

[@jeremiahis]

Subscribing just for the times. Wow. Any videos on your signal chains and tones? Very nice.

[@TheStudioRats]

Thanks for the sub!

[@smdavey]

Both stunning guitars. You both seem down to earth. Would be more interested in your home studios. What you actually produce and mix. How you record. Andrew masters uk version.

[@paulorr7471]

I have the same 56 strat relic and also happen to have a 60’s strat relic with rosewood board. I think the 56 bridge pickup sounds a bit thin but the neck pickup is awesome. Your 56 looks to be an alder body. I think much better than ash.

[@gregs8685]

I agree it looks like an alder body, but hard to know for sure.

[@patrickwcowley]

What is the name of the song you played in the very beginning? It's so very beautiful and soulful! Thank you so very much for your videos, I am getting interested in guitars again, and your videos are very resourceful and provide so very much to take in and contemplate. Wishing you all the very best and thank you for everything!!

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Patrick, it’s not a song that I know of, I was just noodling.

[@Nick-72]

I Have a Squier CV50 and from a Couple of Miles it Looks Like this Custom Shop 😅😅😅 Anyway i think this is the Best "Look" for a Strat ... it give a Certain mood about how to play it and a sort of special Vibe.

[@kridnro]

I've watched many of Paul's videos recently. Great playing, feel and tone. This particular video here is my favorite. Wondering if its the Axe FX we're hearing or his Matchless?

[@Adventuresingearland]

Sounds great! I'm lusting after it even more now! 🤣

[@ClaudioMartella]

main difference soundwise between 50s. and 60s strats is that the pickups used different magnets, which makes the 60s pickups hotted and punchier (50s are smoother)

[@Utube-s8m]

Nooo Paul. I loved that red strat. It literally is my favorite of all strats on utube. Ok the new strat is what I would get if I wanted a 50’s strat. The body is actually smaller. And I prefer rosewood as well but because the maple fretboard is relic’d I do like it. But I wish you could’ve kept the red one too. I actually had a 54 reissue yrs ago and the neck was not relic’d. It was just too lacquered up and at the time I was looking for humbuckers. Was just starting my gear addiction. Anyway, I do hope you enjoy it.

[@TheStudioRats]

That’s interesting, I didn’t realise that 50s bodies were smaller.

[@Utube-s8m]

@@TheStudioRats yes a bit smaller. Enjoy your new guitar as I said but I’ll miss ole red. I do love when you and James go to guitar stores. Did u see where I said I recently bought a Bogner goldfinger 45sl and I think it was from watching the video where u bought your goldtop. It must’ve stuck in my head. While very expensive, it is a great amp. Cheers.

[@pearlandGUITARIST]

Beautiful guitar. Congrats!

[@shelo0828]

Looks like we got the same model. Mine is 1956 limited edition strat that has handwound 56 pickups.

[@shelo0828]

@chris rocco ash buddy. Very straty sound!

[@shelo0828]

@chris rocco looks like alder for him.

[@Belchenradler-biketouren]

The CS 56 looks and sounds great to me! Reminds me to my Eric Johnson signature, which of course also has a maple neck and plays and sounds amazing. Would be interesting to have a 1:1 compare.

[@shalomshalom735]

great guitar , great sound!

[@jamiebriggs8277]

Love the fretboard on the new one, and it sounds great too. I would definitely wire the bridge into the tone pot too - especially with a single coil, that bridge can get out of control sometimes :) I don't understand why anyone would criticize demoing higher gain with single coils...lots of people play higher gain with single coils ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ As far as wood affecting tone, I think we've seen enough to demonstrate that it is negligible at best. Type of pickup, placement of pickup, pickup height, all have a very direct effect. Haven't seen much that directly addresses what kind of effect a semi-hollow or hollow body might have, and whether the woods used in their construction make a difference.

[@billgreen3629]

Sounds ace. No tone on the bridge only makes sense into a cranked Champ or low-powered tweed amp. It’s an idea that should be left in the ‘50s.

[@riffinpeace6667]

this guy is such a pro

[@jbert6793]

I wish I liked Strats…. It sounds so good. (I’m a tele guy).

[@trevorgwelch7412]

I bought a Custom shop Aliexpress Strat really amazing : $375

[@andreasjohansson1990]

lovely guitar!

[@ryersondodge1998]

Cheers 🍻 Mate 😊

[@TheStudioRats]

No problem

[@flux6435]

Amazing tones, Paul! What was the amp or signal chain if you can still remember?

[@TheStudioRats]

I think it was my Matchless Independence

[@AlanJan_UK_49]

So now I've got to google around and find out what the hell an Axe fx 3 is !! It sounds like it might be an expensive trip !

[@RedRose4711]

Marvellous!

[@rhum66]

I own three CS Stratocaster; two 59’ slapboard and a 64’ veneer board. As You i Am a rosewood/60’ Stratocaster. But, as you, i wonder about getting a 54 or a 56, To get the Maple bite under my thumb

[@TheStudioRats]

Nice!

[@chrispotts4830]

Sounds amazing! Does anybody know what specific pickups are in this Strat? Also, was that the Axe-FX? If so, what models were used? Great playing as always!!

[@TheDanielGuy23]

Talking about sounding articulate makes me think of my Schecter PT Van Nuys. It's got humbuckers, but they've got really good clarity and articulation, at least I think. You should try one sometime if you get the chance :)

[@TheStudioRats]

I will, cheers.

[@59strat]

Congratulations, beautiful guitar enjoy it! Great playing too. Any chance the Fractal Presets used here are available and compatible with FM3? The preset starting at around 2:50 was fantastic. thanks

[@joeyjojo8200]

I just love the sound of these CS ‘56 pickups! But sadly you can’t buy them aftermarket. Does anybody know which pickups sound similar to these CS ‘56?

[@BedeLaplume]

Difficult to say if it sounds better than the previous ones.. They are all great sounding Strats.. As far as I know those older 50's-60's Strats had only 3 positions. ​ The 5 positions switches were introduced in the 70's.. ​ ​

[@BedeLaplume]

​@@servethesongs I am not sure about 95% of any guitar tone. but you have a point. The amp has the last saying in the chain of tone and as you point out , the same guitar can sound significantly different on a different amp....

[@AlanJan_UK_49]

My 54 Anniversary has the 5 way switch and the bridge PU wired into the tone control.

[@UpliftingRiffs]

Yes I love my custom shop Strat also. Your reverb tone is amazing at 2:14. What are you using?

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers, I’m using an Axe FX3

[@Dunk0The0Punk]

That sounds lovely i want one ! what was the signal chain ? Matchless Ox Box Daw ?

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Duncan, it was an Axe Fx 3

[@azo38]

OMG this tone IS killer ! Whats AMP s are u using? What effects for crunch 🙏🙏🙏

[@TheStudioRats]

Axe fx 3 and a Xotic bb preAmp AT.

[@marcusmauldin731]

Late to the party, but this Strat sounds great

[@EdBenji]

You should demo these guitars without overdrive!

[@gafarbello107]

Is that Best Part from HER? If so, love that interpretation of it!

[@TheStudioRats]

Oh no have I ripped someone off again. I’ll have a listen to it.😬

[@frantisca]

Happy NGD ! Yes: I modded the wiring on mine too, so I could get the harshness away from the bridge pickup. Also, I removed the tone connection to the middle pickup and lowered it on the scratchplate, so it couples very well in pos 2 and 4. You still have your green HSS ? Cheers Paul

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Rene, I need to look how to do that.

[@frantisca]

@@TheStudioRats There are diagrams on the Seymour Duncan site that explain that. Cheers

[@jocro1029]

Rosewood is 1780 on the Janka hardness scale while maple is 1450, so the extra zing should be coming from the rosewood being much harder and brighter of the two.

[@NO-TALK-GuitarPlugin]

Will you review ToneX?

[@FjordFuzz]

I felt like I was a dark fretboard only type of guy until I got my 1957 Musicmaster. I was clearly wrong about my expectations!

[@TheStudioRats]

I’d like to see that Dan.

[@StephaneBergeronPixelyzed]

Great guitars and playing! What amp/rig were you playing them through?

[@TheStudioRats]

That would be an AXE FX3

[@Gma7788]

It Stops sounding like the 50's when you add distortion.

[@andres_romano]

Hi, thanks for yours reviews, Which amp do you use?

[@TheStudioRats]

For this I was using an AXEFX 3

[@acespark1]

I hope you invested some of the fund in new shoes and handbag to avoid another black eye 😁😎

[@TheStudioRats]

😂

[@nickgoogle4525]

Mmh, when you play the Tele and then the Strat there's no question for me that the T sounds so much better to my ears -- way more musical for me.

[@lorenzo-agnes]

Very nice! Did you sell your silver sky?

[@TheStudioRats]

I did, I’ve sold the master built and the silversky to get this and another one, vid to come.

[@elio5555]

Great strat! Did you sold your PRS's?

[@TheStudioRats]

I did

[@elio5555]

@@TheStudioRats Did you find something you didn't like? The Studio you had was bloody fantastic. Really awesome.

[@jonthomas83]

@thestudiorats sounds like a beautiful Strat, I too have a 50s style Strat and would really appreciate it if you could share what pickups you have in there, please…I don’t know where to Start with Fender pickups. Many thanks

[@clausherther]

That looks like an ash body? I would think that probably contributes quite a bit to the tone differences vs the alder 60s body?

[@GraniteSoundtrack]

Your playing is always so tasty!

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Granite.

[@vriendelijkegroet]

The intro sounds are amazing. Unfortunately this does not work in a big band context. I play in a 9 piece band with keys, horns etc - guitarsounds has to be very small. I guess there is a reason why this is Studiorats. What sounds do you use live? I really can't imagine you use that much reverb and delay/ modulation.

[@TheStudioRats]

I do.

[@vriendelijkegroet]

@@TheStudioRats A video about live versus studio approach/ gear/ set up would be very interesting. Is there a 'go to" amp or guitar? Differences in microphones? How would you dial in your sounds and can change quickly?

[@practicerepobarrie]

Thumbs up 👍🏻

[@gregs8685]

I love the 50s strat. If you weren’t feeling the ‘65 masterbuilt, best to move on.

[@stratmagic6893]

FYI Fender switched to rosewood fretboards around April of 1959.

[@mikec3454]

They put more screws on the pickguard in the 60s because the 50s pickguards would end up warping over time.

[@dezionlion]

You sold your best guitat!

[@TheStudioRats]

Possibly

[@-Dominique]

Crystal clear, too bright. The 63 sounded great thanks for the Info. But lacks in lows

[@57Techboy]

Sounds like the tone i carry around in my head for a strat. Gorgeous, what is your setup amp and pedal wise for this video. Cherrs, Perry.

[@TheStudioRats]

Hi Perry it was an Axe FX 3 and my pedalboard. The drive came from an Xotic bb preamp at.

[@57Techboy]

@@TheStudioRats what amp and cab blocks are you using in the Axe FX ? Have you tried the PRS silver sky, a marvellous guitar. One of the best sounding strats I’ve ever heard or played. Cheers, Perry

[@TheStudioRats]

@@57Techboy funny enough I just sold my Silver Sky, yes it’s a really good guitar.

[@DBroce]

I love that guitar. Maple neck is such a looker. Still think you’re a closet metal head. Who plays runs like that and doesn’t love Yngwie?

[@otaviosmartins1]

Biggest reason 50s and 60s strat sound so different is the pickups are quite different in configuration too.

[@terryshrk]

IM confused about your comments about the wiring! Your saying there was no tone control for your bridge pickup yet I thought all Strats have had a tone select for the bridge at least since the 1990's or so. That lack of tone control for the bridge is also something John Mayer talked about when he first talked about the Silver Sky and I was thinking,.."but my 1990 has tone control for the bridge ,.LoL! I think that feature is like the 3 way selector switch,..its something Fender left behind decades and decades ago yet still seems to br repeatedly talked about my people whom,.despite having the $$$ for a master built or custom sho,..cant or wont walk down to their nearest Guitar Center of whatever music store and play an American Pro2 with MODERN Star wiring,..LoL

[@TheStudioRats]

It’s a custom shop so it has the vintage wiring specs. Some people prefer things to be as they were, I get it. Personally I like a tone on my bridge. It’s not a big deal, just a quick solder job.

[@ianthomas4568]

Why don’t you try a Bravewood strat? £1850 for a master built guitar!

[@TheStudioRats]

I’ve never heard of them, I’ll check them out. The only reason I don’t buy unknown guitars is the resale value. I’m sure they are fabulous but if I did at some point decide to move it on I’d loose so much.

[@ianthomas4568]

@@TheStudioRats Well that is the only reason not to buy one lol? But you would still get anything from £1250-£1450 on resale, so not too bad from £1850! I’ve had custom shop guitars and they don’t compare at all to the Bravewood!

[@TheStudioRats]

I will definitely check them out thanks Ian.

[@ianthomas4568]

@@TheStudioRats Ok hopefully you’ll be impressed? You used to be able to put in an order with John but in recent years he doesn’t take orders he just makes what he wants and sells them on his website! And they normally go very quickly!

[@sroelit]

Look, you’re clearly a guitar gigolo-best to just embrace it.

[@ronmoes42]

Masterbuild & custom shop guitar are genuinly overrated, i've already said it but I played a few normal, high end guitars like the hitmaker and a professional series strat and the playability of those guitars was so much better than the awfull old paint chiped away guitars that seem to make money enough to let the custom shop name fall into sub standard quality. Ask yourself this, do you really think a handfull of guys are making custom shop relic for all of the world?! LOL!

[@Gma7788]

You're supposed to buy a spare guitar

[@j_music_8779]

Does your new custom shop strat have a soft v-neck? I recently picked up a '50s American original in white blonde with a soft V neck. It's got a nice chunk to it in the first v-neck I have ever played. I'm still getting used to it, but it's really nice to play. How do you like the profile on your CS? Cheers!

[@soyborne.bornmadeandundone1342]

Master built just means a more famous custom shop person helped make it lol. All the custom shop people are very talented and do a great job. All the folks who make high end fenders like the pro line, original line, reissue line, do great work as well. Want to save cash? Going with the boys at mjt, warmoth, or muskraft is also not a bad idea. Even some squires are good guitars now. Like the 70s vibe model. Many squires do come with meh wiring and meh pickups though so you might want to change those out. Who needs a 7k guitar when you can have a 600-800 dollar one that's just as good. Sure it doesn't have the price tag of being a guitar made by a famous luthier... But that's the only real clear difference. They often select the best looking tone woods for higher end models but even lower end models can get lucky and have nice woods in them so it's whatever : ) And tone wood matters very little when playing loudly so folks shouldn't care too much about that.

[@soyborne.bornmadeandundone1342]

Very Eric Johnson sounding : ) If you ask me mann... Once you go american standard quality minimum... IT doesn't get much better than that. Very opinion based territory after that.

[@soyborne.bornmadeandundone1342]

Lol you had a john mayer silver sky? Unsub...