Fender Custom Shop Questions

[fritzreiser]

1. Will the Fender Custom Shop make you a guitar according to your specs? Or do they just offer those reissues/relics/artist models that are listed on their site?

2. If they will build you a guitar to your specs, is their quality worth the price that you will pay? (w/o taking resale into consideration)

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: Fender Custom Shop Questions

Fritz, answers to your questions
1.They will but will be very expensive and takes very long time.
2. I think their quality should be very high but since the cost is so high and unless you are going with very traditional Fender, less chance you will get your money back(resale).

Why not spec what you want and ask one of Fender custom shop dealers?
I am sure there is a form to fill out.

Off the topic a little bit.
I'd highly recommend to go with Suhr guitars if you aren't looking for a Fender headstock.
Their turn around time is very short(usually 3-5months) and quality is great too.

[Joe_Steeler]

Re: Fender Custom Shop Questions

They will build anything you want, the questions is if you are willing to pay for it.
If you are specifying something odd it will be a Masterbuilt guitar and the quality is outstanding. Value is in the eye of the beholder and what may be a decent value to some might be an abuse in power to others.

I have one Masterbuilt Strat and had to get it back to the shop TWICE for finish defects. They were great baout the whole thing and very accomodating. The CS got it right at the end and even threw in some further mods at no charge.
These guys overnighted the guitar to me twice.
From Corona, Ca to Florida overnight FEDEX is a pretty penny but they did not mind.
I could not totally blame my Master builder for some of the things that happened, but you expect absolute perfection after paying the $$$ they command.

I am putting together a spec for a new Masterbuilt I want to get made for my second daughter. The Master dealer I have been working with has been very helpful and gave some insight.

First; try to specify as your base a standard CS instrument. From that point change woods, hardware, etc. Basing your spec on something they know gets the quote grounded. If you start with some weird body and stuff they will start the quote on a high number to cover their behind.

Second; unless absolutely necessary try to stay with FMIC pups and harware. You can always change pups and pickguards later. I started my quote with SD pups and the OEM markups kinda kicked the numbers up.

and Third; if you are thinking of resale try to stay within our world. Fancy woods (i.e. Braz RW), odd inlays and features will make the guitar expensive and hard to get rid off since you will have to find THAT someone that shares your view and tastes.

Personally, I think you should spec it for you and for you to keep. I don't know about you but I cannot afford to do this thing once or twice a year, so I look at this guitar as a keeper and in my specific case as a family legacy.

For a Master Built the floor is somewhere between $3200 and $3500, from that point on the sky is the limit.

BTW, find a delaer that will give you at least 40% off retail to ease the pain in the pocket.

[MikeE]

Re: Fender Custom Shop Questions

It might be helpful if you give an idea of what you are looking to have done.

My vote also goes for Suhr. Most of his shop (including himself) are ex Fender employees. He will build you a guitar as good or better than Fender at a much more reasonable cost and he will probably be more willing to do non standard options with out charging you a ton. You can also call the shop and talk to the man himself.

[Spider Riff]

Re: Fender Custom Shop Questions

Who is a good Fender Custom Shop dealer?

[XSSIVE]

Re: Fender Custom Shop Questions

Drum City Guitar Land is a Fender custom shop dealer and Jason over there is a nice guy to deal with.

-Mike