The Guitar Player's Resource
Empire Music didn't just slap their logo on standard Fender Custom Shop models and call it collaboration. These New York retailers spent years studying what their most discerning customers actually needed from vintage-inspired Stratocasters, then convinced Fender's master builders to execute those exact specifications. The result became one of Custom Shop's best-selling models worldwide - proof that sometimes the folks selling guitars daily understand player needs better than corporate product development teams.
Those exclusive Empire Custom Shop '67 hand-wound pickups represent the soul of this instrument. Complex tones sweep effortlessly from clean passages offering unexpected maturity to snarling aggression that handles serious gain while staying articulate. But here's where Empire's retail wisdom really shines: they insisted on full blender wiring that opens tonal possibilities conventional five-way switching keeps locked away. Suddenly you're accessing pickup combinations and phasing options that make this British Racing Green beauty far more versatile than standard vintage reissues.
The roasted alder body paired with roasted maple neck creates foundations that ignore seasonal humidity fluctuations while delivering vintage tone with modern stability. That heat treatment process removes moisture causing neck movement, meaning this '67 reissue stays playable whether you're gigging Phoenix summers or Minneapolis winters.
The AAA rosewood compound radius fingerboard transitions from comfortable 9.5-inch curve down low to flatter 12-inch radius up high, accommodating both rhythm work and expressive bending without compromise. That 60's Style Oval "C" neck shape measuring .790 inches at the first fret and .930 at the twelfth feels substantial yet comfortable during extended sessions.
At 7 pounds 11 ounces with brown shell nitro pickguard and aged white appointments, this NOS-finished beauty delivers vintage aesthetics without vintage weight penalties or maintenance headaches. The American Vintage bridge with upgraded tremolo arm provides expressive vibrato that actually stays in tune.
Sometimes the best Custom Shop models come from retailers brave enough to specify exactly what players need rather than accepting whatever standard configurations product managers offer.
Specifications:
Serial #: CZ586894
Model#: 9232002057
Base Model: 66 Strat
Finish Type: NOS
Case: Blk Tlx Amp Logo
Plating: Chrome/Nickel Hardware
Left Or Right: Right Hand
Bodywood: Alder Roasted
Sort: Yes Sort
Body Style: 66 Strat
Neck Mtg.Holes: 4 Bolt
Bridge Holes: Am Vint Strat Brg
Body Finish: Lacquer
Top Color: British Racing Green
Bridge: Am Vint Strat Brg
Output: Vint Strat
Neck Plate: V Logo Sn
Rear Cover: None
Strings: 10-46
String Tree: Am Vint 65+ Nylon Spr
Strap Lock: None
Trem Arm: Vint Upgraded 60’s
Trem Arm Tip: Aged White
Pickguard: 63-76 Strat BRN Shell Nitro
Controls: Strat Blender W/Grease Bkt
Selector Switch: Switch 5-Way Lever Crl
Switch Tip: Aged White
Tone Knob: Strat Sm Ft Tone Aged White
Volume Knob: Strat Sm Ft Vol Aged White
Pots: 250k 10% Taper Split
Neck P/U: Hw Empire 67 Nk/Mid
Middle P/U: Hw Empire 67 Rwrp
Bridge P/U: Hw Empire 67 Brg
Like: 16 67 Strat RW CC
Neck Finish: Med_Tint Ncl
Neck Blank: Maple Roasted Qtr Sawn
Round Lam Or Slab: Round Lam
Fretboard Wood: Guitar Cites RW AAA 9mm
Sort F/Dark RW: Yes
Truss Rod: Early 60s
No. Of Frets: 21
Tuning Keys: Vint W/Fender Logo
Mounting Style: 4 Bolt
Head Style: Large
Head Scoop: 60
Head Thickness: 0.59”
Fret Wire: Narrow Tall 6105
Facedots: Mother Of Pearl 7mm
Dot Spacing: Narrow
Fretboard Radius: 9.50-12.0 Compound Radius
Nut Width: 1.650”
Butt Width: 2.200”
Neck Shape: 60 Style Oval “C”
Neck Spec 1st: .790”
12th Fret: .930”
Neck Binding: No
Nut: Bone
Side Dots: Mother Of Pearl 3/32”
Headstock Binding: No
Decal: 64-67 Strat
Weight: 7lbs 11oz
