Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • "She knew what she'd created": Back to Black
  • Trower's '80s supergroup
  • Music theory tricks
  • Stage Tour game
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Guitars

Fender Custom Shop 2012 Limited Edition range

News
By Matthew Parker
Published 18 July 2012

Get 'em while you can!

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Limited Edition 1969 Relic Stratocaster

Limited Edition 1969 Relic Stratocaster

The Fender Custom Shop has unveiled five seriously desirable new and unique guitars and basses as part of its 2012 Limited Edition series, including a 1963 Heavy Relic Strat, 1959 Heavy Relic Telecaster and, perhaps most interestingly a two-pickup La Cabronita “Boracha” reverse-body Jazzmaster. Click through the gallery to take a look at the new instruments.

Limited Edition 1969 Relic Stratocaster

They say: “Our twist on the iconic late 60s Stratocaster features medium jumbo frets, Abby hand wound '69 pickups, and a reversed headstock with a 9.5-inch radius for easier string bending. This Stratocaster reflects a defining era for Fender and rock music in general, and we have included some of our most requested features.”

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
Limited Edition 1963 Heavy Relic Stratocaster

Limited Edition 1963 Heavy Relic Stratocaster

They say: “The modified Stratocaster will always be a special canvas for us. This heavy Relic '63 Strat is meant to reflect the instruments from the 80s when lots of people were installing after market bridges, pickups, refrets, etc., in an effort to "upgrade" their axe. This guitar features a Duncan JB Model bridge pickup but with a coil-tap allowing the pickup to be split so that the user can still get a single coil sound out of it.”

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
Limited Edition 1959 Heavy Relic Telecaster

Limited Edition 1959 Heavy Relic Telecaster

They say: “One of our favorite colors is Celedon Green and we have used it here on this workhorse tone-machine that includes many of our most requested features that are usually reserved for Master Built models. The guitar features a Twisted Tele neck pickup and a Nocaster bridge pickup delivering a blistering combination that is further intensified by the four-way pickup selector. A soft V neck shape and 9.5-inch radius completes this unique Telecaster.”

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
Limited Edition Relic La Cabronita "Boracha" Jazzmaster

Limited Edition Relic La Cabronita "Boracha" Jazzmaster

They say: “Released as a one pickup last year, this guitar (as it's Cabronita family is meant to) pushes the boundaries and creates a unique looking and sounding instrument. The customized wiring is the same as the original Especial, with a volume, three-way selector and a S-1 switch that re-voices the guitar for layering in the studio.”

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
Limited Edition Relic La Cabronita "Boracho" Bass

Limited Edition Relic La Cabronita "Boracho" Bass

They say: “The latest addition to our ever-growing dysfunctional Cabronita family of misfits. Make no mistake, this bass has the thump of its precessor the "Porazzo", and the looks of its sister the "Boracha". The "Boracho" bass has a reversed Jazzmaster body adding mass to the bass and along with the custom T.V. Jones Thunderblade pickup which is placed ever-so-precisely under the proper harmonics, creates a very unique and LOUD sounding bass.”

Page 5 of 5
Page 5 of 5
Matthew Parker
Matthew Parker

Matt is a freelance journalist who has spent the last decade interviewing musicians for the likes of Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, MusicRadar, NME.com, DJ Mag and Electronic Sound. In 2020, he launched CreativeMoney.co.uk, which aims to share the ideas that make creative lifestyles more sustainable. He plays guitar, but should not be allowed near your delay pedals.

Read more
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up June 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s epic guitar gear round-up: June ’26 edit, ft. EHX, PRS, Fender’s mega-launch and more
 
 
Fender American Vintage II 2026 refresh
Guitars Fender refreshes the American Vintage II lineup with classic finishes from the paint room
 
 
Fender Jim Root Telecaster Shoreline Gold
Artists Jim Root’s made-for-metal Fender Telecaster gets a makeover with a custom finish from the golden era
 
 
Billy Gibbons with his Pearly Gates replica Les Paul Standard.
Artists Gibson has just made a forensic Custom Shop replica of Billy Gibbons’ Pearly Gates Les Paul
 
 
The Gibson Custom Historic Reissue 1959 and 1962 ES-330
Guitars Gibson unveils exquisite Custom Shop Historic Reissues of the 1959 and ’62 ES-330s
 
 
Gibson Custom VOS Reissue 1971 Flying V Medallion
Guitars Gibson unveils Custom Shop reissue of a Michael Schenker and Kirk Hammett favourite
 
 
Latest in Guitars
Brian Fallon plays a Fender Telecaster onstage with the Gaslight Anthem.
Artists Brian Fallon on how ‘80s rock lit the fuse for his star-studded solo album
 
 
Coast Highway 101 at sunset
Guitars "He didn't tap a foot or move his head or anything. He listened to it all the way through and I thought he hated it": When an Eagle, Heartbreaker, Roger Linn and an Oberheim OB-X combined forces for a pop masterpiece – the Boys Of Summer story
 
 
Johnny Marr and Noel Gallagher
Guitars “It’s the only guitar that I’ve ever had stolen, and the neck was like a ’50s Les Paul. It was amazing”
 
 
Gretsch Electromatic Limited Edition Black Limba Jet and CVT
Guitars Gretsch’s play for hard-riffing rock players continues with the “exotic” black limba Jet and CVT
 
 
Blues legend Buddy Guy plays the 2023 Savanah Music Festival
Artists Buddy Guy at 90 – how the world’s greatest living bluesman transformed guitar
 
 
Queens Of The Stone Age pictured in 2026
Artists How QOTSA found their album centrepiece at 2am, a “little drunk” and ready to go home
 
 
Latest in News
Gillian Gilbert and Stephen Morris at SXSW 2023
Keyboard Players “Thankfully, he is well”: Gillian Gilbert reveals she's seriously ill with cancer, not husband Stephen Morris
 
 
 Dave Mustaine of Megadeth visits SiriusXM Studios on January 16, 2026
Guitarists “It wouldn't be a young generation”: So who would be in Dave Mustaine’s new big four of thrash metal?
 
 
Rubber Soul logo
Singles And Albums “It seemed to hit the spot”: Hear an early version of Norwegian Wood with an unfamiliar arrangement
 
 
Singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran (L) and rapper Macklemore perform during the 2014 iHeartRadio Music Festival
Gigs & Festivals "Taking a side can cost you": Macklemore blames stadium owner kicking him off Ed Sheeran tour
 
 
audient
Tech Audient launches Horizon, a flagship Thunderbolt interface range with sub-millisecond latency
 
 
Coast Highway 101 at sunset
Guitars "He didn't tap a foot or move his head or anything. He listened to it all the way through and I thought he hated it": When an Eagle, Heartbreaker, Roger Linn and an Oberheim OB-X combined forces for a pop masterpiece – the Boys Of Summer story
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...