Since the early 1980s, world - famous session virtuoso Michael Landau has lent his incredible guitar skills to hundreds of albums. He has led multiple bands like the Raging Honkies, Burning Water, and more recently, Renegade Creation with Robben Ford. With his own group, he keeps pushing the boundaries in electric jazz, instrumental, and rock guitar music.
The Fender Custom Shop Artist Collection Michael Landau Signature 1968 Relic Stratocaster is modeled after Landau's 1968 Stratocaster. It features a carefully hand - selected lightweight alder body, a special 'custom oval' neck profile, custom hand - wound pickups and wiring, and a beautiful 3 - Tone Sunburst nitrocellulose lacquer finish. Other great features are a round - laminated dark rosewood fingerboard with a 7.25' radius and 6105 frets, a period - correct large headstock, five - way pickup switching, and a custom vintage - style tremolo bridge.
Specifications:
- Body Shape: Stratocaster®
- Body Material: Select Lightweight Alder
- Body Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
- Neck Profile: Custom 'C'
- Fretboard Material: Round - Laminated Rosewood
- Fretboard Radius: 7.25' (184.1 mm)
- Scale Length: 25.5' (64.77 cm)
- No. of Frets: 21 Narrow Jumbo Frets
- Fretboard Inlays: White Dot Inlays
- Pickups: Custom Shop Fat '50s Single - Coil Strat® (Bridge), Custom Shop Fat '50s Single - Coil Strat® (Middle), Custom Shop Fat '50s Single - Coil Strat® (Neck)
- Bridge: 6 - Saddle American Vintage Synchronized Tremolo
- Pickguard: 3 - Ply Mint Green
- Strings: Fender® USA 250L Nickel Plated Steel (.009 -.042 Gauges), PN 0730250403
- Tuning Machines: Vintage - Style Tuners
- Hardware Finish: Nickel/Chrome
- Includes: Deluxe Hardshell Case, Strap, Certificate of Authenticity
Using your Fender Custom Shop Michael Landau Signature 1968 Relic Stratocaster is a breeze. First, make sure your guitar is in tune using the vintage - style tuners. You can adjust the tone and sound by using the five - way pickup switching to choose different combinations of the custom hand - wound pickups.
When you're playing, be gentle with the 6 - saddle American Vintage Synchronized Tremolo bridge. It can add a cool vibrato effect, but don't overdo it to avoid damaging the strings or the bridge.
For maintenance, keep your guitar in the deluxe hardshell case when you're not using it. This will protect it from dust, scratches, and accidental bumps. Wipe down the body with a soft, dry cloth after each use to keep the nitrocellulose lacquer finish looking great. Every few months, check the strings. If they start to sound dull or feel rough, it's time to replace them with the Fender® USA 250L Nickel Plated Steel strings that come with the guitar. Also, make sure to keep the fretboard clean and lubricated to keep the frets in good condition. If you're not sure how to do any of these things, you can always take your guitar to a professional guitar technician.
