Fender Custom Shop Guitars - Opioms Please

[stratplayer]

Sadly my mother passed away a few months ago. As she knew how much I love my guitars etc I wanted to get a really nice amp and Fender Strat (Fiesta Red of course). To me these will be very special items in memory of her so to speak.

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to find possibly the last new Vox AC15HWTV in stock in a shop. I now have this in my possession and love it. So much so it has taken the place of my AC15C1 which is only a few months old.

The question I have is about the Fender Custom Shop range of Strats. As I've never picked one up I wish to know how much better they are (and why) in comparison to a Fender American Standard 2006? Are they worth the extra cost etc? I'm only interested in playing in the style of Hank and the Shadows so I'm possibly looking at a custom shop NOS 56.

I would very much appreciate your thoughts on these guitars ( the pickups I shall probably change to CS54's as these are now in my American Strat). I'm looking at purchasing in a month or two and your comments will be most helpful in making the final decision.

Thanks
Steve

[fenderplucker]

Hi Steve,

I am sure that there are many people who will tell you that they have a Squire/Mexican/Japanese/American Standard/brand X Strat that sounds and/or plays as good as or better than a Custom Shop instrument, and they may well be correct. However, I think that there is another factor that is important, particularly for a "special" purchase such as you are considering. This what I would call the the "peace of mind" factor: knowing that you have a CS guitar and not keep on wondering if you should have got one. I would say, go for it!

Regards,

Paul.

[abstamaria]

Steve, I'm sorry to hear about your mom. I concur in Paul's advice fully. I ordered a masterbuilt "Hank Marvin" Strat about two years ago, instructing the Customshop to build it as best they can to the specifications of Hank's (Cliff's) orginal maple necked Strat. It is beautiful and I treasure it. I would retain whatever pickups Customshop choose to put it though, so you have as close a guitar to the era.

Andy

[Gerhard]

Hi Steve !

Same situation . . .
I have a Candy Apple Red American Standard with Kinman Impersonators, bought last year. This year came a AC15, the handwired one with these blue alnicos, and three weeks ago a CS Fiesta Red, the 1956 NOS, golden hardware. At last . . .
Didn't know that you may order at Fender directly, ordered mine at Thomann in Germany.

The guitar came in perfect condition, that means perfect playable, craftmanship without any fault as far as I can justify - maybe, concerning 1956's standards.
If they had been better than today I don't know. Fender, I think, had been a raising company at that time, today Fender has to struggle against a lot of competitors, and not every potential customer is a dedicated Shadows fan or fixed on a "Fiesta Red" one.

She's a beauty in my eyes.

The neck (an AA birdseye maple one, not an AAA, sorry) looks nice. Comparing with the AmStd maple neck which is pale the CS made has a wonderful warm yellow (like bright honey) colour tone, I really love it.

The body is perfect too, the neck pocket without a hint of a gap.
Differing to the AmStd :
Whilst on the AmStd the PUs and the strings line up perfectly (even the bridge PU which seems to be longer, both original and Kinman's) that doesn't happen at the CS made, a had made a picture. But it seems that it has no influence on the sound.

The string set is a 10-46 one with a blank g, which I don't understand. Maybe that fits for today's music, but for "our" purposes (it's the "Fiesta" one !) no go. I changed after short time for a 10-46 with a wounded g (pole staggering is perfect for that).
On the AMStd I have a 12-52 set, but I'll stay with the 10-46 at the CS because it's much more easy to play without any loss concerning the sound (imho).

Whilst there is a five way switch on the AmStd there's a threeway one at the CS, that's commonly known so far.

The PUs are called custom made ones, no more information. But comparing them with the Kinmans they sound equally at least. I see no reason to replace them. When I play I sit directly beside the AC15, but since I play not loud (it's a flat) I can't say much concerning hum issues.

Tone knobs are strange on the CS. The bridge PU has nothing to set, the lowest tone knob manages the middle PU, the middle knob the neck PU.
Maybe I'll go for a fiveways some days for I don't want to do without the between positions as I know from the AmStd. For purists : The original state could be rebuilt every time in the case of selling for example.

The decision for this guitar was simple - just a "want have one".
Since I could afford it (which isn't appropriate always to announce these days) - so why not.
The only sticking point was to convince my wife, maybe you know the situation . . .

Buying a 56 NOS is a matter of heart, not a mind issue, that's my opinion.
Buying that guitar you should be aware of being called childish by some experts.

It's your decision.
But as you characterized yourself a dedicated Shadows fan - I think you'll be happy with this guitar.

Cheers
Gerhard

[Gerhard]

Ooops, there was a picture to send . . .
Here it is.
Edit : The shown trem arm isn't the original one, it's a stainless steel Staytrem. I hope the gold plated one is on its way . . .

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[noelford]

I have to agree. I have a CS Masterbuilt 56 NOS and an American Vintage Series. I love them both and, based on playability and tone, you'd have to say there was not enough difference to justify the big difference in price but, as Gerhard says it's more to do with the heart than the mind. There is just something magical about playing a guitar that has been perfectly crafted and knowing the PUs (in my case) were wound by the same lady who was winding them in the fifties (the legendary Abgail Ybarra).

I don't think it's worth putting yourself in deep debt to get one but if the money isn't a problem then go for it.

[Gerhard]

OK, two more pictures . . .
Here's the first

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[Gerhard]

And here are their headplates

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[Airhostess.]

HI Steve,
First please accept my sympathy on the loss of your mother,I lost mine 6 years ago..and it still hurts.

as to the Strat....off the shelf C.S ones are not all the same some have 21 frets, others 22, push in trem arms, or standard screw in, 3 position switches/5 position switches a multitude of pup's the list goes on and on.. so make sure you KNOW what your getting ...before you get it (i think that makes sense....)

If you are going for a masterbuilt.. check out Fender website you can download a PDF order form with 4 pages of things you can have done to your new Fender (including the price list thats what I did) be aware though If you just want a masterbuilt its approx 12 months wait
Master built fee is $2600.00 on top

If you want a specific master builder by name...the wait is 2 years

specific master builder by name extra $1000.00 on top

Hope that helps

Kindest regards

Kay

[stratplayer]

Dear all,

Thank you so much for both the advice and the kind words of sympathy. I admit to being very touched.

I fully understand what you mean about 'it's a heart purchase' and yes I agree with you.

I won't go along the masterbuilt route both for the timescales involved and the extra cost.

Although the purchase price won't be prohibitive I don't wish to spend thousands when my standard of playing will never get good enough to justify that sort of expense. A standard custom built nos will be good enough for my purpose, I may buy the 22 fret model offered with the locking tuners, gold hardware, double AA neck and fitted with fender noiseless pickups as standard. This I believe is selling for approx £2500.

My strats at present are 1, Squire classic vibe 50's fitted with 10's. 2, Mexican Classic special edition classic 50 fitted with 11's and my American standard fitted with 12's (flatwounds). For the money the feel and playability of the squire is great. The USA strat feels so much more grown up and better put together than the Mex 50's. This is why I wondered how much better the CS ones are in relation to the standard USA models.

I shall go around the music shops and try some of the CS models so I can make the comparison for myself. As I've said before I'm looking at making the purchase in a month or so. I will come back to this post and update with the progress as it happens.

Thanks for all your help everyone this is one of the reasons why this message board/club is so fantastic, you can ask anything and members will always help.

Steve

[abstamaria]

Steve,

I've had some experience ordering Masterbuilt guitars (here is a matching set of "Hank Marvin" guitars - a Strat and a PBass in the very early Shadows specification). It sometimes takes as short as a 3-month wait to get a guitar by a named builder, depending on orders, whether before a NAMM show, and other factors. The longest I've had to wait was about 8 months.

I don't deal with Fender directly but through a very knowledgeable US dealer who helps me through the process, advises me on decisions, liaises with the builder for me, and constantly updates me. He sets up the guitar when received from Fender before shipping to me. Since he places a number of orders with Fender, he knows them well and that helps.

It will be a bit more expensive than the price you mentioned, but not much more.

Good luck,

Andy

[abstamaria]

And a masterbuilt "Bob Bogle" (early Ventures) Jazzmaster -



It may ultimately be cheaper for you to go for what you really want than upgrade later.

Good luck again, and regards

Andy

[Mark Burton]

Steve,

go for it - you will not regret it and I bet you don't change the pickups either, the '56 NOS are fantastic!!

Where are you based? If you can find someone nearby who is willing to let you have a go without the pressure of a music shop environment then that's the route I'd take.

Will sound superb with the AC-15HWTV and the right echo

good luck!
Mark.

[keithinalps]

Hi Steve, the 56 NOS sound is 10/10 the only problem i found was the boat profile neck shape (small hands) and the nitro laquer on the neck can get sticky. Don't change the pups they are the best.

[asimmd]

Hi Steve

I have 2 Custom Shop,one is a NOS56,and as others have said the tone is
excellent,please don't change the pickups if you get one.

My other CS is a Custom De-Luxe with Abby Pickups.

That is amazing,but is a different beast to the NOS56.

I rather like the Boat Neck,I can't be doing with the flimsy C shape,I always think
they are about to snap.

I also hanker for a Masterbuilt,but would it sound any better than the NOS56,I don't know,but it will cost a lot of money to find out.

Go try an NOS56,I doubt you will be disappointed.

Alan

[Mark Burton]

Feb 14, 2013 11:51:53 GMT keithinalps said:

Hi Steve, the 56 NOS sound is 10/10 the only problem i found was the boat profile neck shape (small hands) and the nitro laquer on the neck can get sticky. Don't change the pups they are the best.

Keith is right - the back of the neck looks amazing with high gloss but is unplayable as it becomes sticky with any kind of sweat. I got Pete Allen (guitar technical services - warwick) to take the top gloss layer off the back of the neck and now that it's nicely played in after 5 years - the neck is superb and no problem.

Personally - I don't like brand new guitars I prefer them played in - just seem to play nicer and issues like neck gloss are long gone

cheers
MArk.

[abstamaria]

There is no logical reason for getting a Customshop guitar over the standard issue, except that it a nice thing to have. It is always a pleasure to see and use.



I try to keep mine looking new, partly because the shows we use them for require sparkling guitars on stage. As I am not a professional and don’t play all that well, they are not really tools to me. They remind me of the shiny ones in shop windows that I couldn’t afford as a teenager.
Best to all,
Andy

[twang46]

Andy said

As I am not a professional and don’t play all that well, they are not really tools to me. They remind me of the shiny ones in shop windows that I couldn’t afford as a teenager.

That really does sum things up so very well

Dick.

[allclaphands]

Hi Steve
Reading all the replies to your posting it goes without saying
I think that everyone has a great deal of feeling for the guitars
and equipment they have acquired what ever the make or brand.
Myself when looking at guitars and equipment if I could afford it
I would have one of everything on offer plus the equivalent of a
recording studio ect. As other members have said if you can afford
it and it's what you want go for it if it does not work out you can always sell them on.
Wondering what it might be like does not go
away as you get older.
Pete

[noelford]

Feb 14, 2013 12:25:26 GMT asimmd said:

I also hanker for a Masterbuilt,but would it sound any better than the NOS56,I don't know,but it will cost a lot of money to find out.

Just cost you a trip to (near) Aberystwyth, to try one , Alan! You're welcome to come and try mine, though it would have to wait until next month as I am off to the sunny Med for a while.

[ade]

Hi Steve

Like the others in this thread, I say go for it. I am not a brilliant player, but
bought a FR 56 NOS for my 60th birthday, as a nice to have. My father passed away a few months earlier but before he died he requested that I treat myself to something special.

I adore it. All my club members love the sound and the looks. It came with Abigail PUPs and has 21 Frets. I purchased it from Coda Music in Stevenage who set it up perfectly and gave great service. I have no connection with them just a happy customer.

My 56NOS can be seen in my picture,

Regards
Ade

[noelford]

I'd just like to point out that even if anyone considers themselves 'not a very good player', that is no reason not to have a very good guitar! A good guitar won't automatically make you a good player (you still have to put the practice in) but it will certainly make for a better experience than trying to learn on a mediocre one.

[asimmd]

Hi Noel

Many thanks for the offer,sorry to say I don't drive very far these day's so it's not going to happen.

I am sure your comments regarding a Masterbuilt V Team Built would be appreciated,I just think that it's a lot of money to spend,especially as I don't gig anymore.

I like my Custom Shop Strats,but I always think it's just the build on a Masterbuilt that is better,rather than the sound,but I am open to suggestion regarding this.

Alan

[jimmyc]

Hi Steve,
I've just recently bought a CS Nocaster Relic. This is a guitar I've wanted for a long time but I waited until I found one with the neckshape I wanted [ a mid 60's oval ] rather than the big U shape. I concur with all that everyone else has said. It is a from the heart purchase but I can hear and feel the difference everytime I pick it up - I absolutely love it.
The only problem I now have is that I want a CS Strat as well !

Regards

Jim