Fender CS Vintage Custom '59 Stratocaster Hardtail Time Capsule - USA 2022

Here is a 2022 Fender Custom Shop Vintage Custom ’59 Stratocaster Hardtail, finished in Sonic Blue with a Time Capsule gloss nitrocellulose finish, offering a pristine, factory-fresh interpretation of one of the most celebrated eras in Stratocaster history. This model recreates the late-’50s transition period with exceptional attention to vintage-correct detail, premium materials, and Custom Shop craftsmanship at the highest level.

This example features a 2-piece select alder body paired with a rift-sawn maple neck and rosewood slab fingerboard, accurately reflecting Fender’s 1959 construction specifications. The Time Capsule treatment presents the guitar in showroom-new condition, with no relic wear, preserving a clean and period-authentic aesthetic throughout. At 3.23kg (7.12lb), it is lightweight, resonant, and extremely comfortable both seated and on a strap.

The neck profile is a soft “D” carve, measuring 20.71mm at the 1st fret and 25.28mm at the 12th, with a 42.37mm nut width tapering to 51.89mm at the 12th fret. Combined with a low, effortless setup (0.5mm at the 1st fret and 1.5mm at the 12th), it delivers a smooth, fast-playing feel while retaining a substantial vintage-inspired character.

Tonally, it is equipped with a set of Fender Custom Shop ’59 Strat single-coil pickups, delivering the signature late-’50s Strat voice. Expect glassy, articulate neck tones, bell-like clarity in the middle position, and a focused, cutting bridge pickup that retains warmth and control. The guitar responds dynamically to touch, offering a wide expressive range from pristine cleans through to classic, edge-of-breakup tones.

Condition is mint as part of the Time Capsule specification, showing no wear or ageing. It presents as a flawless Custom Shop recreation of a 1959 Stratocaster, designed for players and collectors who value vintage accuracy in untouched form.

Specifications:

Year: 2022
Country: USA
Model: Fender Stratocaster
Finish: Sonic Blue
Body: 2-piece select alder
Neck: Maple
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Scale: 25.5"
Pickups: Fender Custom Shop '59 Strat single-coils
Bridge: Vintage-style hardtail
Tuners: Vintage Kluson-style
Case: Original G&G brown tolex case, COA & case candy included