Fender Custom Shop nailed the vibe with this 1999 '50s Relic Nocaster in Butterscotch Blonde. This is one of the first Cunetto-relic'd instruments, and the neck pocket features John Cruz's signature. Lightly aged with tasteful wear, it captures the feel and tone of an early blackguard without going overboard. The neck has a comfortable, full carve that sits well in the hand, and the pickups deliver that dry, quacky twang you expect from a good Nocaster. Hardware has just the right amount of tarnish, and the finish has settled in nicely over time. A solid example from the earlier days of the Custom Shop’s relic work.