Fender Paul Waller Masterbuilt '56 Stratocaster Lush Closet Classic - USA 2020

Paul Waller joined Fender in 2003. He spent two years working closely with master arch-top craftsman Bob Benedetto, and became steeped in the many facets of building techniques from all the Custom Shop’s Master Builders. After an extensive seven-year apprenticeship, Waller became a Master Builder in 2010.

His Fender Custom Shop work includes bass guitars for U2’s Adam Clayton, a custom Thinline Telecaster for U2 vocalist Bono, Telecaster guitars for the Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards and co-work on a Stratocaster for fellow Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, Stratocaster guitars for Buddy Guy, the Nile Rodgers “Hitmaker” Stratocaster, and a custom double-neck Jazzmaster for Queens Of The Stone Age guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen.

If you're in the market for a Masterbuilt Strat but aren't fond of the often-heavy relicing, Paul Waller's creation stands as an impeccable alternative. The guitar sports a 56 Maple neck in the "LCC" finish, shorthand for Lush Closet Classic in Fender speak. This denotes a subtly aged appearance, characterised by minimal blemishes in the finish and faint hairline cracks that are challenging to capture in photos. From a slight distance, the guitar's patina is the only visible sign of ageing, mirroring the look of vintage Strats that have been meticulously maintained.

Sonically, Paul Waller's guitars consistently impress us, and this one is no exception. Equipped with hand-wound Josefina pickups, it delivers the quintessential 50s maple neck sound: punchy, bright, yet rich. The neck's pronounced 10/56 V-profile, combined with a 9.5" fingerboard radius and 6105 frets, offers a contemporary playing experience. While its appearance may be unpretentious, as an instrument, it competes at the highest level. Premier Guitars is pleased to present this guitar, weighing in at an ideal 3.3 kg, in pristine condition.

Comes in its original Fender Custom Shop HSC with case candy, tags, strap and Certificate of Authenticity.

Specs:

Action at 1st fret: 0.5mm

Action at 12th fret: 1.0mm

Neck depth at 1st fret: 23.5mm

Neck depth at 12th fret: 24.68mm

Nut Width: 41.7mm

12 fret width: 51.7mm

Weight: 3.3kg / 7.27lb

2-Tone Sunburst Finish 

Alder Body 

Maple Neck

Maple Fingerboard 

21 Frets 

9.5" Radius 

25.5" Scale Length 

'56 "V" Neck Shape 

Josefina Hand-Wound Fat '50s Pickups

5-Way Switch 

Vintage Style Tremolo 

Vintage Style Tuners 

Nickel Hardware 

Single-Ply White Pickguard