<![CDATA[ Latest from Guitar World in Fender-custom-shop ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/tag/fender-custom-shop Mon, 11 May 2026 15:50:19 +0000 en <![CDATA[ A Fender Master Builder, who’s made guitars for Mk.gee and Buddy Guy, has left to start their own guitar company – and their first release is a stunning boutique offset ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/music-industry/levi-perry-launches-gavilan-guitars aigDCMn62HKpRLNj7DdBYZ Mon, 11 May 2026 15:50:19 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Something you’ll hear a lot of is, ‘Oh, you didn’t earn that relicing.’ But people who like it aren't thinking of it like that”: The real reason why relicing is so popular, according to a Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilder ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/fender-masterbuilders-discuss-relic-guitars 2umoDciDexKjMtjbFRZg7f Fri, 03 Apr 2026 21:46:57 +0000 <![CDATA[ “These instruments are building more than houses, they are restoring hope”: Fender joins campaign to support LA wildfires relief, turning wood reclaimed from the disaster into unique Custom Shop guitars for auction ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/fender-launches-custom-shop-altadena-telecaster-in-auction-campaign-to-support-la-wildfires-recovery jdXynforLtQgXcAa2GmZTJ Sat, 17 Jan 2026 22:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Part of my soul is on stage with my favorite band every single night”: Fender Masterbuilder on what it’s like to watch his ultimate guitar hero play the Strat he made for him ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/fender-masterbuilder-andy-hicks-on-building-a-strat-for-dave-murray eGHLRkBepdzPrwq7euj3Yb Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:22:30 +0000 <![CDATA[ “One day it hit me, I want a Fender 7-string Stratocaster. I got a lot of ‘no’s”: How the Fender Custom Shop was convinced to make the firm’s first 7-string guitar ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/chris-garza-on-his-seven-string-stratocaster bcSsBmQFer7ATmP9oCbbjY Tue, 16 Sep 2025 10:09:27 +0000 Wed, 24 Sep 2025 14:44:18 +0000 <![CDATA[ “If Leo Fender had released a Jazz Bass like this back in the ‘60s, it would have changed the entire history of popular music”: The inside story of Adrian Younge’s half-fretless, fuzz-loaded Fender Custom Shop Jazz Bass ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/bassists/adrian-younge-fender-custom-shop-jazz-bass Pen5ZWmViQ24fa8WhjK4fX Wed, 10 Sep 2025 12:42:17 +0000 Wed, 17 Sep 2025 16:06:11 +0000 <![CDATA[ “There are no limits. It’s basically: how long will it take and how much is it going to cost?” Behind the scenes at the Fender Custom Shop – where anything goes, and heritage and innovation go hand in hand ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/inside-fender-custom-shop-2025 dQsPZmYkkFMUjmyLdWRTD4 Mon, 08 Sep 2025 14:18:09 +0000 Wed, 17 Sep 2025 15:03:53 +0000 <![CDATA[ “The big thing was the neck shape that Clapton wanted. We made about a dozen neck samples for him to play”: From Slowhand’s Strat to “tongue-in-cheek” relics, this is the hidden history of the Fender Custom Shop ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/the-hidden-history-of-the-fender-custom-shop ojiDA5pBBCRHeqvbyiY4EC Tue, 26 Aug 2025 16:02:43 +0000 Wed, 03 Sep 2025 11:18:08 +0000 <![CDATA[ “He doesn’t want it to be a hang-on-the-wall trophy piece. He wants it to be played”: Eddie Vedder and Fender have designed a new custom Telecaster – and it’s a trophy for a baseball tournament ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/eddie-vedder-fender-basebell-telecaster-trophy nMWj5uDeVeKASKCq76L63k Tue, 26 Aug 2025 11:55:58 +0000 Wed, 03 Sep 2025 11:18:32 +0000 <![CDATA[ “They have always been a big thing for me because I think they’re the heart and soul of a Fender”: What gives a Fender guitar its spirit? For the Custom Shop's Senior Master Builder, there’s only one answer ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/fender-master-builder-paul-waller-on-pickups-and-heritage zdmdpCXBXFtQUk2XnDpMx7 Thu, 31 Jul 2025 15:03:08 +0000 Tue, 05 Aug 2025 12:21:10 +0000 <![CDATA[ “We make those in the same quantities no matter what is in fashion”: Guitar trends come and go – but these are the Fender finishes that will never disappear ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/fender-custom-shop-on-guitar-trends-and-mainstays tH63sbmHzk87JNSoCjxFJV Mon, 28 Jul 2025 14:01:43 +0000 Tue, 05 Aug 2025 11:57:49 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Journeyman guitars have the lightest relicing available, as if the guitar has been used but not abused during its fictitious lifetime”: Up close with Fender Custom Shop’s ’59 Journeyman Stratocaster – a stunning vintage repro fresh out of the box ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/fender-limited-edition-custom-shop-59-stratocaster n7N8AciM8T6mKJzwR8jCCj Mon, 07 Jul 2025 09:16:37 +0000 Tue, 15 Jul 2025 14:51:09 +0000 <![CDATA[ “It’s unreal that my own name is one of the coolest finishes I think Fender has ever done”: Fender teams up with country superstar Brad Paisley on a signature Telecaster that brings back a cult classic finish from the 1960s ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/fender-brad-paisley-signature-telecaster-brings-back-a-cult-classic-finish-from-the-1960s 8FMDHcAnM6dgy45RXc5orC Tue, 06 May 2025 16:43:10 +0000 Tue, 13 May 2025 14:12:45 +0000 <![CDATA[ Fender Japan assembles all-star group of elite Masterbuilders for its most ambitious builds yet – the Deck O’ Cards Stratocasters ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/fender-japan-custom-shop-deck-o-cards-collection ut8Lwh5dbg9TKbM9QuPaEX Thu, 01 May 2025 21:13:39 +0000 Wed, 07 May 2025 10:48:05 +0000 <![CDATA[ “There’s so much equity in the Squier brand name – there are people that proudly play Squier over Fender”: Fender outlines the future of Squier after the launch of its new Standard Series – which is built in the same factory ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/the-future-of-squier-after-the-launch-of-the-fender-standard-series diHZFNhNwdkrBRDj6skhRS Tue, 25 Feb 2025 12:27:26 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:50 +0000 <![CDATA[ “I took everything out of the freezer and sat the guitar in overnight”: When John Mayer was unhappy with his famed Black One Strat, he had a bizarre method for trying to fix it ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/why-john-mayer-put-his-fender-black-one-strat-in-the-freezer tGBAoQoyVbteiqJ8SapKBa Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:55:57 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:39 +0000 <![CDATA[ “For power Stratocaster playing”: The tones of Joe Bonamassa’s obscure “Greenburst” Strat have been brought to the masses with new Seymour Duncan signature pickups ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/guitar-pickups/seymour-duncan-joe-bonamassa-greenburst-strat-set nJb98MY9Z8AhHkky4xowQc Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:58:42 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:44 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Intricate finishes, exotic tonewoods, and immaculate details”: 12-string Telecasters, baritone offsets, and diamond-laced Strats headline the Fender Custom Shop's awe-inspiring 2025 Prestige Collection ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/fender-custom-shop-prestige-collection eFTmoYT3D8vWvE5HMBodkf Sun, 26 Jan 2025 19:39:01 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:18:50 +0000 <![CDATA[ “It’s not for sale… yet”: Jack White announces a Custom Shop version of his wild, ever-evolving Triplecaster – and it colors way outside the Fender lines ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/fender-jack-white-custom-shop-triplecaster-namm-2025 6fsqbSw2coN275abv3b8G8 Sun, 26 Jan 2025 19:25:31 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:41 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Everyone in the Custom Shop pushes one another to test the boundaries of their creativity and technical skills”: Fender Custom Shop ditches dry January with a cocktail-inspired guitar collection – and it’s a uniquely potent mix ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/fender-custom-shop-cocktail-collection-2025 8jFr43XVxKpZfAptC7jndi Fri, 24 Jan 2025 16:19:22 +0000 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:45:09 +0000 <![CDATA[ “We’re setting a new standard in boutique guitars”: Iconic Guitars forms a partnership to watch as it recruits former Fender Master Builder John Cruz ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/john-cruz-joins-iconic-guitars yFhisjXgXP97s5L9bNibMk Wed, 15 Jan 2025 17:03:43 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:45 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Top money buys forensically aged details and incredible craft, but you won’t necessarily hear £5k’s worth of difference in the sonic performance”: How close are Gibson's ’59 Burst replicas and their boutique rivals? ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/gibson-custom-shop-les-paul-vs-huber-high-end-single-cut-shootout 9kkeafanMtrxw56UAZqmqF Mon, 06 Jan 2025 13:03:11 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:45 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Greeny is getting a bit jealous!” Kirk Hammett sent Jack White his signature Gibson Les Paul – and received the White Stripes legend’s wild Fender Triplecaster in return ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/jack-white-kirk-hammett-swap-signature-guitars wtkYLTWFWQDSKSX9yxVbRX Mon, 06 Jan 2025 12:12:27 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:43 +0000 <![CDATA[ “A guitar so playable that you might need to put the brakes on yourself and remember to play to the count”: Fender American Ultra II Telecaster review ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/fender-american-ultra-ii-telecaster-review LdvV7GuAB47CseNRiLCLuP Tue, 17 Dec 2024 14:06:35 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:18:20 +0000 <![CDATA[ “As a guitar collector, when you get the opportunity to buy one of your heroes’ guitars, you must do it”: Stone Sour guitarist Josh Rand’s guitar collection is an ode to the gods of ’80s shred – but he’s putting some of his prize pieces up for sale ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/josh-rand-official-reverb-shop E2fWgrK82ZUDWFeXtyfaKP Fri, 13 Dec 2024 15:07:50 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:45 +0000 <![CDATA[ “I went to a Fender event with her and they allowed the public into the exhibit. People were losing their minds. It kind of scared me”: Abigail Ybarra is a legend of the pickup world – but her daughter didn’t realize until she got mobbed by fans ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/guitar-pickups/abigail-ybarra-mobbed-by-fans 2K4MMvS4JnPWheFgQJ5MTW Mon, 09 Dec 2024 17:10:57 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:42 +0000 <![CDATA[ “I got a chance to play the guitar that David Gilmour owned with serial number 0001 – and I was actually disappointed”: Why one of David Gilmour’s most iconic Strats underwhelmed Fender’s CEO – who tried to buy it at auction ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/andy-mooney-fender-ceo-david-gilmour-0001-strat LJoUbYjT8Scocs2JA2RBZk Thu, 05 Dec 2024 15:50:27 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:41 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Available for the first time ever”: Fender launches the Tom DeLonge ‘Padre’ Strat – reviving a super-rare prototype that predates the original TD signature Stratocaster ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/tom-delonge-padre-stratocaster BfXJwPzUz2Lxi5LvLahkKb Fri, 29 Nov 2024 17:46:43 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:47 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Of all the rare custom Fenders introduced over the decades, few have inspired the kind of cult following that this has”: The original Mary Kaye Stratocaster – one of Fender’s most iconic builds – has sold at auction for over $220,000 ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/fender-mary-kaye-strat-sold-at-auction zKFauyo5JRbL558CuHceuM Fri, 22 Nov 2024 16:02:50 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:43 +0000 <![CDATA[ “It’s been road-tested, kicked around, X-rayed… We’ve made a guitar that's adaptable to all situations”: Fender and Chris Shiflett cut no corners in creating the new signature ‘Cleaver’ Telecaster – a long-awaited replica of his Masterbuilt model ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/fender-chris-shiflett-cleaver-telecaster-deluxe 57fe7Ndi448DQCUFAWD9fc Tue, 19 Nov 2024 14:00:00 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:40 +0000 <![CDATA[ “For guitar fans who understand the historical importance of the woman, the finish, and the Fender Stratocaster itself”: The original Mary Kaye Strat became one of the most iconic Fender builds of all time – now it’s heading to auction ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/fender-mary-kaye-stratocaster-auction-juliens JTPLKEJxgX3fvQeTfoVUDn Tue, 19 Nov 2024 13:25:13 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:43 +0000 <![CDATA[ “We are dedicated to building a direct connection with the artist community in China”: Fender to open Shanghai Artist Showroom in its latest high-profile move in overseas guitar markets ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/music-industry/fender-shanghai-artist-showroom zZxUkxBnYMzTkyaiK8BbdH Tue, 05 Nov 2024 12:33:13 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:46 +0000 <![CDATA[ “I’ve had many other Strats – I’ve never found one better than that”: John Frusciante’s first-ever Fender signature guitar is here – and it’s a $20k Custom Shop replica of his iconic 1962 Stratocaster ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/fender-john-frusciante-custom-shop-signature-stratocaster KGfxLisf52ouJqWDrS4XbW Thu, 31 Oct 2024 13:00:00 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:39 +0000 <![CDATA[ “The first one ever in history is actually this guitar. Honestly, it still doesn’t seem real”: Fender’s first-ever official 7-string Stratocaster has become a reality – and it could be in line for a wider release ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/electric-guitars/chris-garza-fender-seven-string-stratocaster 24F7i9N58KQF4pZQ66BQ5E Thu, 24 Oct 2024 11:38:00 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:38 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Early Telecasters tend to get a bit muddy. It's hard to get a really nice, punchy bright front pickup”: Joe Bonamassa fits a budget Squier Tele with his new Seymour Duncan 1950 Broadcaster pickups – and tests it against the vintage Fender original ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/news/joe-bonamassa-fits-a-budget-squier-tele-with-his-seymour-duncan-1950-broadcaster-pickups RtehMYaaGhHiXenqQydF8L Wed, 09 Oct 2024 11:31:41 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:43 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Perfectly executed with an extraordinary range of voices… If you can imagine it, PJD can probably build it for you”: PJD Custom Carey Elite and Carey Custom review ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/reviews/pjd-custom-carey-elite-and-carey-custom d3wDTsD7Nd9J4NUQWNYruF Mon, 23 Sep 2024 09:09:22 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:45 +0000 <![CDATA[ “There have been many requests for it to be re-released”: Fender Japan answers players’ calls and revives its cult 12-string Stratocasters and Telecasters for the first time in over a decade ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/news/fender-japan-12-string-stratocaster-telecaster qb4Ujm6h2KxW5uiuoXnGWj Fri, 30 Aug 2024 11:04:40 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:40 +0000 <![CDATA[ “The fusion of two iconic legacies”: Fender’s Custom Shop channels Fender Japan’s most desirable designs for its latest luxury collaborative Stratocaster – which has been launched with a Bvlgari watch ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/news/fender-bvlgari-stratocaster AAApBVrv7jbErBhRRSbtgY Thu, 29 Aug 2024 11:09:49 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:44 +0000 <![CDATA[ “He's the first person that thought of this setup. I'm going to use it in the future”: Keanu Reeves’ new Fender Custom Shop P-Bass inspired an all-new circuit called “the Keanu wiring” that has never been used before ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/news/keanu-reeves-fender-custom-shop-precision-bass jpBDWhh6so5MiUtWojp25c Wed, 28 Aug 2024 16:14:19 +0000 Fri, 20 Sep 2024 11:21:59 +0000 <![CDATA[ “It’s got the fattest neck Jackson has ever made… I said, ‘Am I going to be able to play this thing?’” Jackson has made Phil Collen a Tele-style model with a neck twice as thick as a regular guitar’s – and a signature version could be in the pipeline ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/news/phil-collen-jackson-tele-custom-model CzR7rMbMtETBPk7byUzME7 Tue, 20 Aug 2024 09:28:20 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:42 +0000 <![CDATA[ “I've never ordered anything like this before”: Misha Mansoor is the latest player to receive the elusive Jackson Surfcaster offset – could a production run of the firm’s most sought-after model be in the works? ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/news/misha-mansoor-custom-shop-jackson-surfcaster PeTwkLzhrPEmVMghxg28id Mon, 19 Aug 2024 16:02:40 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:18:27 +0000 <![CDATA[ “It can sing like a Les Paul, bark like an SG and spank like a Flying V”: The Explorer chugged for Hetfield, sang the blues with Clapton and made the Edge sound ginormous – is it still Gibson’s most underrated electric guitar? ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/features/in-praise-of-the-gibson-explorer 8NZWkiL4VGZNKGvyuis59H Thu, 25 Jul 2024 08:39:14 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:44 +0000 <![CDATA[ “A tribute to the creative soul of the Stratocaster”: Fender debuts the perfect summer accessory – Strat sunglasses ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/news/fender-stratocaster-sunglasses 45mCP9QMh4fLcNGPzyjiHL Wed, 17 Jul 2024 15:14:53 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:45 +0000 <![CDATA[ “What does the Strat mean to me? I’ll say this: my grandson is named Fender. What does that tell you?” Los Lonely Boys’ Henry Garza would like you to meet Tejana – a guitar so good even Carlos Santana wanted to play it ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/features/los-lonely-boys-henry-garza-on-his-number-one-stratocaster puNMgw7wUnvLEnzRM52pWF Wed, 17 Jul 2024 08:56:42 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:44 +0000 <![CDATA[ “It helped tidy up a lot of my playing and helped me grow as a player”: Joanne Shaw Taylor briefly switched to Les Pauls – and it dramatically improved her guitar playing ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/news/joanne-shaw-taylor-using-gibson-les-pauls e3EaTn3Sj4Vfw8EjRCJWx7 Fri, 21 Jun 2024 15:59:53 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:41 +0000 <![CDATA[ “A guitar of one of his heroes”: John Mayer has been playing Jeff Beck’s Fender Stratocaster – and Joe Bonamassa has confirmed it’s the real deal ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/news/john-mayer-jeff-beck-stratocaster-2024 TsBMst9EnyVbwrDWHRQhDb Tue, 18 Jun 2024 10:14:09 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:40 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Combines the skills of the finest craftsmen and the traditions cultivated by Fender”: Fender celebrates the first anniversary of its flagship Tokyo store with an unprecedented Strat – and it’s made using an ancient Japanese coating ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/news/fender-japan-tokyo-store-urushi-stratocaster 8AMTPQiPTYcH4RYFBwPckk Thu, 13 Jun 2024 09:14:40 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:40 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Ronnie Wood has a ’55 hardtail Strat and that one was incredible. And then Nile Rodgers’ Hitmaker Strat – that one’s incredible”: Fender’s Master Builders on what makes a good Stratocaster – and the best Strats they’ve ever played ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/features/fender-master-builders-on-what-makes-a-great-stratocaster emzLuiimbwbHciaDQHxSNZ Mon, 10 Jun 2024 11:27:25 +0000 Tue, 25 Jun 2024 09:57:36 +0000 <![CDATA[ Fender currently makes over 100 Stratocasters – here’s how to choose the Strat that’s right for you ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/features/how-to-choose-a-fender-stratocaster hAkAcwRgP7ybWnhZKbbdzA Thu, 30 May 2024 13:34:12 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:43 +0000 <![CDATA[ “I went for the lowest-priced one. My heart broke as I handed my jazz box over. However, as soon as I pulled that Strat down, sadness was replaced with joy”: Nile Rodgers on how he found The Hitmaker – and how the Fender Strat changed the world ]]> https://www.guitarworld.com/features/nile-rodgers-fender-stratocaster-70-years-foreword XpdqGRuLt2wph6WWsKC6iQ Tue, 21 May 2024 14:29:33 +0000 Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:20:38 +0000