Fender Custom Shop Used Fender Custom '50s Stratocaster Master Built by Alan Hamel (Dakota Red) [SN.AH179]

A pre-owned '50s Stratocaster from 2000, Alan's final year with the company!

Alan Hamel was a founding member of the Fender Custom Shop, serving as a master builder until 2000. Master builders are true craftsmen who stubbornly uphold Fender tradition and continue to pass on its sound to the present day. Alan Hamel, the builder of this guitar, is said to be an expert on vintage guitar specifications. Chris Fleming also studied under Alan and learned his craft while supporting the production, making him a builder renowned for his solid skills. Alan's attention to detail, combined with his exceptional artistic talent and mastery of woodworking machines, ensures that each guitar, although few in existence on the market, boasts a meticulously designed and exquisitely crafted finish.

This is a "Custom '50s Stratocaster" with a beautiful figured maple neck and lightweight alder body. The neck shape is a slightly slim Soft-V, a style often used on 1957 reissue models. However, due to a lack of certification and the fact that it is listed as a "Custom Instrument" in the official Fender database, we are calling it a "Custom '50s Stratocaster." While featuring Vintage Fret Select and a 7.25 radius, which conforms to vintage specifications, the guitar offers a comfortable, comfortable feel that feels natural to the hand.

The condition of this particular guitar is characterized by several paint chips around the neck joint, uneven paint on the skunk line on the back of the neck, and some paint peeling on the fingerboard. The body stamp features only the AH engraving and the Alan Hamel Custom Shop signature. While the missing certificate makes it difficult to determine the finish, the condition of the parts and weathering indicate a finish close to that of a Closet Classic. Of course, the electronics and playing aspects are in perfect condition, and about 70% of the frets remain intact with no dents, making this a guitar that you can still enjoy. The impressive resonance, presence, and clarity of the sound are truly impressive, and the slightly faded, subdued Dakota Red color makes it a truly beautiful guitar.

Fender tweed hard case and arm included

Product specifications

Body: Lightweight Alder
Neck: 1P Figard Maple
Neck Shape: Soft-V
Fingerboard: Figard Maple
Radius: 7.25R
Frets: 21F/Vintage Frets
Pickups: Single Coil
Bridge: Vintage Synchronized Tremolo
Controls: 1Vol, 2Tone, 5Way PU Selector
Hardware: Nickel/Chrome
Finish: Lacquer

Weight≒3.24kg