Fender Custom Shop Custom Deluxe Stratocaster

This is one of those Custom Shop Strats that makes a lot more sense once you actually have it in your hands. It’s a 2009 Fender Custom Shop Custom Deluxe Stratocaster in Chocolate 3-Tone Sunburst, and rather than trying to be a dead-on recreation of one specific vintage year, the Custom Deluxe was built around taking the parts people love about an older Strat and making the guitar a little easier to actually live with and play.

The Chocolate 3-Tone Sunburst is a great look on this one. It has a much deeper, darker outer edge than a typical bright sunburst, with that warm amber center still letting plenty of the grain show through. Paired with the mint guard, aged-looking plastics and rosewood board, it still has a very traditional Strat appearance without looking like another standard sunburst guitar.

The neck might be my favorite part, though. There is a ton of figure running through the maple from the headstock all the way down the back of the neck, and it gives the guitar a much more special feel than you initially expect looking at it from the front. More importantly, it feels excellent. The neck has a comfortable shape that gives you something to hold onto without feeling bulky, and the current setup is right where I would want it. The frets are excellent, everything feels smooth under the fingers, and intonation is spot on.

This is also a nice example of the Custom Deluxe idea because Fender gave these some useful modern touches without making them feel like a completely different instrument. You get locking tuners and the modern two-point tremolo, but underneath that it still behaves and sounds like a proper Strat. The original SSS electronics passed inspection with no issues, and the guitar has the clarity, snap and touch response that make a good Strat so easy to keep playing.

Condition-wise, this one has been kept extremely well, especially considering it is now well over 15 years old. The body, neck and back all present beautifully with very little noticeable wear. The one blemish worth specifically pointing out is a small ding/chip along the bottom edge of the body, which is photographed clearly. Outside of that spot, there really isn’t much here to distract from how clean the guitar is.

It weighs 7.72 lbs on my scale, which feels right in the sweet spot for a Strat—substantial enough to feel solid, but still comfortable on a strap.

It also comes with the original Fender Custom Shop hardshell case, COA and a very complete collection of the original paperwork and case candy. Having the documentation still together with a Custom Shop guitar from this era is always a big plus.

What stood out to me

• The figured maple neck is easily one of the coolest parts of the guitar
• Chocolate 3-Tone Sunburst has a much richer, darker look than a typical sunburst
• Original Custom Shop electronics with that familiar clear, responsive Strat character
• Modern two-point tremolo and locking tuners make it much easier to live with than a strict vintage-spec build
• Neck feels excellent and the current setup is right where it should be
• Excellent fret condition and spot-on intonation
• Very clean overall for a 2009 guitar
• Only notable blemish is the photographed ding along the bottom edge
• 7.72 lbs on my scale
• Original Custom Shop case, COA and complete case candy

Like all my guitars, this one’s been cared for and dialed in—no guesswork, no surprises, just a great instrument that’s ready to play. I personally inspect and test every guitar before it ships, making sure it’s in the exact condition I’d want to receive myself. These guitars come from me, not a shop—each one gets the kind of attention and care only a real guitar lover gives. Ships fast and insured.

⏳ Quick note: These guitars don’t usually sit. Most are purchased within 3–7 days, and I regularly hear from watchers after the listing has already sold. If this one’s on your radar, now’s the window!