Fender Custom Shop 1970 Stratocaster Journey Relic Aged Firemist Red (854)

The 1970 Strat® marks the end of an era. It was the last year of the four-bolt neck joint, original factory synchronized tremolo with stamped saddles, and heel-adjust truss rod. Body contours changed dramatically in 1971, clad in much thicker polyurethane finishes. Indeed, 1970 was the last year the Strat held true to its purest original design elements. To honor this benchmark model, we’re introducing a faithful recreation with several custom modifications that players and aficionados will appreciate.

The two-piece select alder body of the 1970 Stratocaster® Journeyman Relic® has a Journeyman Relic lacquer finish. Its two-piece rift-sawn maple neck has a 1969 “U” profile, walnut “skunk stripe” and a lacquer-face large ’70s-style headstock with a darker aged appearance. The fingerboard has a comfortable modern 9.5” radius and 21 narrow tall frets. A three-ply nitro pickguard holds three hand-wound ’69 Strat pickups (reverse-wound/reverse-polarity middle pickup) and a Vintage Modified #2 control assembly with Greasebucket™ tone circuit, which keeps mids and highs without adding bass when rolling back the tone control. Other features include vintage style “F” tuning machines, five-way switch and vintage-style Custom Shop synchronized tremolo. Includes deluxe hardshell case, strap and certificate of authenticity.