Questions about Fender 1965 Closet Classic

[Soujurn]

Ok, I'm looking at the Fender website and see the Stratocaster "Time Machine" section and how they offer these various Strats, supposed to be identical to the ones built back in the day.
Same woods, finishes, pickups, hardware, wiring, you name it, they duplicate it. Then they thrash 'em a little, and bobs your uncle, you have a recreation of a classic guitar built the way Leo himself would have done it. Or so they'd like you to believe.

I also was reading that after CBS bought Fender, they started short cuts and cost saving schemes to increase profits. And that the 1965 and later Strats, though not complete crap, certainly weren't what their predecessors were in quality and playability.

So, your opinion please on these recreations of Strats like the '65 Time Machine Closet Classic.
Is it as good an instrument for the money, around $2500.00 online, or are they just hyping guitars that are mostly mediocre when compared with the vintage Strats up to the sale to CBS? (Not talking about collectablity of the vintage Strats since those are in the 5 and 6 figure range).

[Dirt123]

OK, I don't own one, & I think relicing a guitar to look old is stupid. My opinion. But the Custom Shop ones I've tried play & sound great. My understanding is that Fender uses the best woods & materials in making these instruments, & that's one factor in making them great instruments. I don't think they are mediocre, & are probably just as good if not better (and more consistant) that the ones they are duplicating. ( I've played old Strats & Teles that suck). They cost too much for me, though. If I was to buy a new Fender, I'd get either the Jimmie Vaughan Strat or the Highway 1 Texas Tele, & beat 'em up myself.

[Kelsey]

I've managed to pick up two CS relic Strats this year -- one ltd edition Wildwood 10 50's relic and a Time machine 60 relic. I've played several other relics and a couple of NOS and Closet Classics along the way. There is some variation in the playability and tone of the CS models, although there are fewer dogs than normal. There also seems to be something special about he feel and tone of the relics -- I would not have bought the two I have otherwise, as I would just as soon have a NOS guitar. The CS quality is at least on par overall with any quality manufacturer. I would guess that the current CS models are at least as consistent as pre-CBS Fender production. They can come pretty close to vintage Fenders in tone and feel, allowing for some subtle differences in finishes and electronics available now vs. then.

As for the CBS era -- the sale was effective at the beginning of 1965, but things didn't change immediately. The first year of real CBS-era Strats was probably 1966. And certainly many CBS-era Strats from the late 60's to the early 70s were very good guitars. They seemed to work very well in the hands of guys like Jimi Hendrix, Robin Trower, David Gilmour, and Lowell George, among many.

[Gearjoneser]

I absolutely love the 65 NOS and Relics. They aren't just as good as a real 65, I think they're better. Back then, a good guitar was by chance. Now, they've got it down to an exact science. I like the 65 more than the 60's NOS & Relics, just because the neck is amazing. I'd love to have one in charcoal.

The price is high, especially for a bolt on guitar. However, there is a definite jump in quality, when you arrive at those CS strats and teles.

[Gunny47]

I played a bunch of 65s, some of them being closet classics, most being the typical NOS, and I just never cared for them. Not my cup of tea, as Im more with the fat necks and maple boards instead of the smaller 60s strat necks that seem too thin and sticky for me. But of course, if I was a 60s type guy and I had some cash to blow and really wanted a quality instrument I could keep my whole life, theyre definitely great guitars.

I like 50s stuff most (tweed and early gibson amps, 50s strats, 50s les pauls etc) and the '56 Closet Classic is absolutely stunning. I played a few, including one in fiesta red, one in sonic blue (that one through an original Blackface Pro Reverb, delicious tone) and one in white blonde (which was probably my favorite due to the slightly brighter tone and had the best neck). The necks on those suckers (the boat profile) are so nice. Sounds killer too. Definitely check one of them out if you are going to look for a custom shop strat.