What's the Custom Shop Difference?

[KNNZ]

besides the price, I really couldn't hear any difference

[mrmofo]

I`m four minutes in. so far the Black one then the white one then the burst.

I am a little shocked by the amount of relic or "Olympic white over dench blue" Strats there are.

[Mini Forklift]

Watched this last month and found it quite interesting, picked up issue 445 of Guitarist mag while I was in the UK and there's a big write up in there that relates to this video

[Voxshall]

I was most surprised when experimenting with swapping strat parts including customshop and vintage, how big a difference installing vintage vol and tone pots made, although the neck made the biggest contribution to a change in tone for me so far, but that was expected.

I really want to find a copy of that guitarist mag, what were the main points they made in the mag that wasn't in the video?

[Mini Forklift]

I really want to find a copy of that guitarist mag, what were the main points they made in the mag that wasn't in the video?

Haven't read it yet! It's a few issues away yet so probably 2-3 months before it is in NZ (last issue I bought was 442 and the one I got in the UK was issue 445).

[WellyBlues]

Why wait? https://pocketmags.com/us/guitarist-magazine/march-2019

[Molly]

I really want to find a copy of that guitarist mag, what were the main points they made in the mag that wasn't in the video?

Haven't read it yet! It's a few issues away yet so probably 2-3 months before it is in NZ (last issue I bought was 442 and the one I got in the UK was issue 445).

Might it not have been issue 443 that had the accompanying article?

[Mini Forklift]

Might it not have been issue 443 that had the accompanying article?

Ah you’re correct, my mistake. Issue 443 was on the top of my pile and I had assumed that was the one that I’d bought in England, you might be able to hunt one down now if you’re lucky. Cheers Brian

[WellyBlues]

or buy the electronic version as per my post for $10.

[Voxshall]

Thanks guys I'll track one down. It's crazy to me how the Fender customshop can't get the details right on the vintage replica models. How hard is it to sand the back of the neck to headstock transition, get the clay dots the correct color, use darker fingerboard wood, get the relicing more realistic looking.

[mule]

Thanks guys I'll track one down. It's crazy to me how the Fender customshop can't get the details right on the vintage replica models. How hard is it to sand the back of the neck to headstock transition, get the clay dots the correct color, use darker fingerboard wood, get the relicing more realistic looking.

You need to pay extra for that. Hence Fender's upcoming offering: Fender Custom Custom Shop (TM).

[Terexgeek]

Is it possible the Custom Shop team is under pressure to produce, produce, produce? Fender appears to be shopping serious quantities of them, but I can't imagine it's easy to find skilled staff members. Wild speculation of course, but everything they do appears to sell, there's got to be pressure somewhere.

[Bollix]

'Scuse the pun, but there are material differences between custom and non-custom models, IMHO.
The finish, hardware, feel and look (excl bollocks relic-ing) is quite substantial.
BUT, I'm not convinced there is a difference that commands a price ramp up of 3-4x!!
It comes down to personal playability, I reckon.
/2c

[Single coil]

Law of diminishing returns

[calling card]

I played one (strat) briefly once, found it sterile and lacking character.