The Arctic Strat
Over the years, the Fender Custom Shop has created some amazing guitars that double as art pieces – and along the way, some of these artists have become legendary in the guitar community. One of these is Madison Roy. Originally from Ohio and now based in New Orleans, she has been painting her whole life and developed a unique style that is all her own. Madison started working with the Custom Shop in 2014, painting one-of-a-kind guitars that were an immediate hit. Since then, she has been a featured artist at the Custom Shop’s annual NAMM Showcase event, and several of her guitars have been featured in the famous Custom Shop calendars. Her work has become highly desirable and collectible, as each is a one-off, never to be replicated.
Madison has often partnered with Master Builder Greg Fessler on these amazing instruments. One of the longest running veterans at the Custom Shop, he worked with and built guitars for legends such as Robben Ford, Hank Marvin, and John Mayer. Fessler’s remarkable abilities as a Master Builder have earned him accolades from many Fender artists and from discerning customers worldwide. His meticulous attention to detail is exemplified in every instrument he creates, each of which is a perfect example of the intense commitment it takes to earn the title of Master Builder.
This particular guitar is a result of that partnership. Greg Fessler built the guitar as a modern styled Strat, and Madison Roy painted it with a very unique style, naming it the “Arctic” Strat. She took a different approach with this one, compared to many of the other guitars she’s painted. Instead of the wild, vibrant colors typically used, this one has more of a simple approach, in that it’s black and white. However, there is nothing simple about the artwork – it’s incredibly detailed, and flat out amazing. It has a sleek, modern yet tribal aesthetic, and the black anodized pickguard that Fessler chose matches perfectly. Be sure to check out all of the photos and to zoom in to see what Madison has done.
The guitar itself is amazing too – this is a piece of art that is absolutely meant to be played. It features a lightweight ash body with a thin poly finish to protect the paint job, quartersawn maple neck that has a very comfortable Modern C shape, and a dark Indian rosewood fretboard. It has a modern 9.5″ radius and 6105 (Narrow Tall) frets make it easy to play and bend notes without fretting out. The Handwound Master Design pickups give you a classic Strat tone, with an even response across strings just the right amount of output to cut through the mix without sounding shrill. It’s a very balanced set, and sounds amazing. The full list of specs is below.
We are fortunate enough to have sold some of the coolest Fender Custom Shop guitars out there – and sometimes we are twice as lucky, when one of these guitars comes back from the original order and we get to sell it a second time! This is one of those occasions. The original owner is a long-time client and local collector – not really a player, so this guitar is in pristine condition. It comes with the original hardshell case, Certificate of Authenticity and other paperwork.
This is a highly collectible guitar, and 1 of 3 very special Madison Roy painted guitars that we have. Come to Club Fender at Truetone Music to see it in person, or order here to add it to your collection now.
- Serial # R80533
- Part # 9211001460
- Finish Package: NOS
- Color: Custom “Arctic” Design by Madison Roy
- Pickguard: Black Anodized
- Body: 2 Piece Ash; Sort for Lightweight Thin Poly Finish
- Neck: Quartersawn Maple; Rolled Fingerboard Edges
- Fretboard: Indian Rosewood; Sort for Dark
- Tint: Light
- Neck Shape: Modern “C”
- Truss Rod: Bi-Flex
- Dots: Micarta White
- Frets: 22
- Fretwire: 6105 Narrow Tall
- Radius: 9.5″
- Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: .820″
- Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: .870″
- Neck Nut Width: 1.650″
- Neck Butt Width: 2.200″
- Bone Nut
- Neck Pickup: Custom Shop Master Design John Cruz
- Middle Pickup: Custom Shop Hand-Wound John Cruz
- Bridge Pickup: Custom Shop Hand-Wound John Cruz
- Wiring: Modern
- Hardware: Chrome/Nickel
- Tuners: Schaller
- Bridge: Custom Classic Strat with Ultra Snapin Arm
- Neck plate: Vintage Style (just serial number)
- Case: Custom Shop Deluxe Black
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