The Limited Edition Roasted "Big Head" Stratocaster® Relic® from the 2023 Fender Custom Shop Collection features a two-piece select roasted alder body and a roasted maple neck, delivering a midrange punch that cuts through on stage. Since its introduction in the mid-1960s, the classic design elements of the Stratocaster, such as the Big Headstock, are showcased in an appealing aged black relic finish. The subtle cracks and dings, extending from the bridge to the headstock, provide an authentic look as if the guitar has been played in clubs and bars for years.

Special pickups and wiring enable a remarkably versatile tonal range. Three Custom Shop hand-wound Fat ʼ60s pickups, including a reverse-wound/reverse-polarity middle pickup for hum-cancelling in switch positions 2 and 4, produce powerful tones with the sweetness of Alnico 2 magnets. The POMO (Postmodern) Strat® Fat ʼ50s wiring offers a transparent, vibrant, and powerful tone, preventing loss of tone and clarity when lowering the volume. The volume and tone controls respond more smoothly and evenly, allowing easy cleanup of overdriven amp sounds by just rolling back the guitar's volume knob. Additionally, the Greasebucket™ II bridge pickup tone control minimizes gain/mid-loss when lowered.

Other premium features include a roasted quarter-sawn maple neck with a '63-style "C" profile, a 9.5-inch radius round-lam rosewood fingerboard with 21 jumbo frets (6100) and a bone nut, a 5-way pickup switch, an 11-hole gold anodized pickguard, a Custom Shop Vintage Synchronized Tremolo Bridge, vintage-style tuners, a nylon spacer-equipped wing string tree, and a deluxe hardshell case, strap, and certificate of authenticity.