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Fender Masterbuilt Michael Landau '57 CC HH Strat (2019)
Masterbuilt Jason Smith · 2019 · 2× Lollar Imperial · only 3.29 kg
| Model | Fender Custom Shop — Masterbuilt “Michael Landau” 1957 Stratocaster (HH) |
|---|---|
| Master Builder | Jason Smith |
| Year | 2019 |
| Finish | Closet Classic / Relic · “Yellowed” Blonde (nitrocellulose) |
| Body | Ash, two-piece, hand-selected |
| Weight | Only 3.29 kg |
| Neck | Rift-sawn maple, nitro · “Landau 1968 C” profile |
| Fretboard | Maple · 7.25″ radius · 21 frets (6105 narrow/tall) |
| Pickups | 2× Lollar Imperial humbuckers (pearl tops) |
| Electronics | Master volume · mid tone (neck) · outside tone (bridge) · 250K |
| Hardware | Landau Signature Strat bridge · chrome/nickel |
| Serial number | R97034 |
| Included | Fender Custom Shop case · Fender spec sheet (Floor Traveler) · as pictured |
Videos
Each video only gives a rough tonal impression. Clicking starts the video — only then is a connection to YouTube established.
Put one of the most in-demand session players, Michael Landau, together with one of the most respected Senior Master Builders, Jason Smith, and something special comes out the other end. This is it: the strictly limited 2019 Fender Masterbuilt Michael Landau '57 Stratocaster in the rare HH configuration. The run was tiny — originally just 16 instruments worldwide, with the odd later order meaning years of waiting.
The sound: Landau's idea of right
Landau is known for a touch you can hear and for the layers he builds out of it. His guitars have to do everything a working studio day asks of them — glassy, bell-like cleans with proper vintage dynamics right through to a thick, creamy high gain. All of it without complicated switching or an instruction manual.
Which is exactly why Jason Smith fitted this '57 with two Lollar Imperial humbuckers from the off (with pearl tops, a nice touch). These are top-drawer pickups: they've got the open character of a good vintage PAF and they pass on everything your fingers do. The circuit reacts so readily to the volume control that you can go from singing leads to crisp, almost single-coil territory without touching anything else.
No need to fear the vintage radius
The neck is the comfortable 1968 “C” with a classic 7.25" radius. Thanks to properly dressed 6105 narrow/tall frets it plays fast and fluid, and wide bends high up the neck are no trouble at all — which is the point, given how Landau plays.
Light, and in great shape
Hand-picked timber means it comes in at just 3.29 kg despite the humbuckers, and it's noticeably lively with it. The guitar is in excellent condition. The factory Closet Classic / Relic finish shows fine weather checking in the nitro and light wear on the hardware.
Worth a look at the paperwork
The detailed Fender spec sheet (Floor Traveler) is in the photo gallery. Have a read of the handwritten notes at the bottom — there are some interesting instructions to the Master Builder in there.
What one costs now
Jason Smith masterbuilts sit right at the top end. Comparable examples ordered after the 2019 run change hands at close to €14,000.