[AndrewG]

Much of the appeal with Fender Relic models is how they feel; I owned a Relic Nocaster with the fattest and smoothest playing neck I ever felt on a guitar. It sounded like a good Telecaster, but that's it really as far as the electronics are concerned. The Custom Shop stuff, relic'd or otherwise, really does feel like a comfortable, well played-in guitar. As ever, only you can determine if the increase in cost is worth it.