"CHICAGO SPECIAL" FENDER CUSTOM SHOP GUITARS

It is no secret that the Fender Custom Shop has been creating some of the best instruments since 1987. In keeping with the true spirit of Leo’s original vision of the company, each instrument is built with the highest level of care and excellence. Here at Chicago Music Exchange, we have collaborated with the best minds at Fender to build the best instruments from top to bottom, tirelessly going over each spec to ensure that we offer you the best of what Fender has to offer.

Featuring measurements and components we hand-selected from across history, our “CME Spec” and "Chicago Special" Fender Custom Shop guitars highlight important years in the development of core models like the Stratocaster, Telecaster and Jazzmaster. We capture the energy and essence of their respective eras with iconic fingerboard radii and period-correct plastics, matched headstocks and slab fingerboards, classic finishes and not-so-classic colorways. But that’s just the beginning of what makes our Fender Custom Shop guitars so special.

We take customization a step further with rift sawn necks for added resonance and expanded control sets for tonal versatility, and every "Chicago Special" Fender Custom Shop guitar features our own custom Chicago Special pickups, designed in conjunction with Fender Custom Shop Vice President of Product Development Mike Lewis.

Product image
Product image
Product image

"CHICAGO SPECIAL" JAZZMASTERS

NECK

Neck Blank: Maple Rift Sawn

Fingerboard: Maple/Rosewood

Neck Shape: '59 Tapered "C" Neck Shape

Fingerboard Radius: 7.25" Radius

Nut Width: 1.650"

PICKUPS

"Chicago Special" Jazzmaster 

Custom set modeled after 1961 Jazzmaster AlNiCo5 magnets

Potted in Shellac

BODY

Body Wood: Alder/Ash

Body Finish: Nitro Lacquer

HARDWARE

Hardware plating: Chrome/Nickel

Bridge Assembly: Adjustable Jag/Jazz

Tuning Keys: Schaller F Key

Product image

"CHICAGO SPECIAL" PICKUPS

Designed in conjunction with Fender Custom Shop's VP of Product Development Mike Lewis and pickup legend George Blanda to accurately recreate the sound of our favorite 1961 Fender pickups

ENDLESS FINISH OPTIONS

We're always creating new "Chicago Special" models with the Fender Custom Shop. Looking for your dream finish? Call us at (773) 525-7773 and we'll set you up with a custom order for your 1 of 1 Fender "Chicago Special" dream guitar.

Product image

"CHICAGO SPECIAL" STRATOCASTERS

NECK

Neck Blank: Maple Rift Sawn

Fingerboard: Maple/Rosewood

Neck Shape: '59 Strat C

Fingerboard Radius: 9.50" Radius

Nut Width: 1.650"

PICKUPS

Hand-Wound "Chicago Special" Stratocaster 

Calibrated bridge to neck for balanced output

Potted in Shellac

BODY

Body Wood: Alder/Ash

Body Finish: Nitro Lacquer

HARDWARE

Hardware plating: Chrome/Nickel

Bridge Assembly: American Vintage Strat Bridge CC

Tuning Keys: Vintage w/ Fender Logo CC

BULD YOUR DREAM GUITAR

Contact us for special deals, or learn how you can build your very own "Chicago Special" guitar from the Fender Custom Shop!

CALL US NOW!

"CHICAGO SPECIAL" TELECASTERS

NECK

Neck Blank: Maple Rift Sawn

Fingerboard: Maple/Rosewood

Neck Shape: '63 Strat Style "C"

Fingerboard Radius: 9.50" Radius

Nut Width: 1.650"

PICKUPS

Hand-Wound "Chicago Special" Telecaster 

Bridge: wide diameter AlNiCo 3 magnets

Neck: wide diameter AlNiCo 5 magnets

43 gauge enamel wire

BODY

Body Wood: Alder, 2-piece/Ash

Body Finish: Nitro Lacquer

HARDWARE

Hardware plating: Chrome/Nickel

Bridge Assembly: Tele 51-54

Tuning Keys: Vintage w/ Fender Logo CC

SHOP FENDER CUSTOM SHOP GUITARS

Fender Custom Shop 1959 Custom Telecaster
Fender Custom Shop 1959 Custom Telecaster
Fender Custom Shop 1959 Custom Telecaster
Fender Custom Shop 1959 Custom Telecaster
Fender Custom Shop 1959 Custom Telecaster
Fender Custom Shop 1959 Custom Telecaster
Fender Custom Shop 1959 Custom Telecaster
Fender Custom Shop 1959 Custom Telecaster
Fender Custom Shop 1959 Custom Telecaster
Fender Custom Shop 1959 Custom Telecaster
Fender Custom Shop 1959 Custom Telecaster

Fender Custom Shop 1959 Custom Telecaster "Chicago Special" Journeyman Aged Cadillac Green w/Indian Rosewood Neck & Tortoise Binding/Pickguard

$4,240.00
Fender Custom Shop 1957 Stratocaster
Fender Custom Shop 1957 Stratocaster
Fender Custom Shop 1957 Stratocaster
Fender Custom Shop 1957 Stratocaster
Fender Custom Shop 1957 Stratocaster
Fender Custom Shop 1957 Stratocaster
Fender Custom Shop 1957 Stratocaster
Fender Custom Shop 1957 Stratocaster
Fender Custom Shop 1957 Stratocaster
Fender Custom Shop 1957 Stratocaster
Fender Custom Shop 1957 Stratocaster

Fender Custom Shop 1957 Stratocaster "Chicago Special" NOS Wide Fade Chocolate 2-Tone Sunburst w/AAA Flame Neck

$4,080.00
Fender Custom Shop '60s Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop '60s Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop '60s Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop '60s Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop '60s Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop '60s Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop '60s Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop '60s Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop '60s Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop '60s Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop '60s Jazzmaster

Fender Custom Shop '60s Jazzmaster "Chicago Special" Journeyman Super Aged Silver Sparkle w/Roasted Neck

$4,920.00
Fender Custom Shop Merle Haggard
Fender Custom Shop Merle Haggard
Fender Custom Shop Merle Haggard
Fender Custom Shop Merle Haggard
Fender Custom Shop Merle Haggard
Fender Custom Shop Merle Haggard
Fender Custom Shop Merle Haggard
Fender Custom Shop Merle Haggard
Fender Custom Shop Merle Haggard
Fender Custom Shop Merle Haggard
Fender Custom Shop Merle Haggard
Fender Custom Shop Merle Haggard
Fender Custom Shop Merle Haggard

Fender Custom Shop Merle Haggard "Tuff Dog" Tribute Telecaster Sunburst 2023

$5,195.00

Related Posts

Introducing | CopperSound Pedals

Introducing | CopperSound Pedals

The Chicago Music Exchange is proud to carry CopperSound Pedals, innovative effects made by hand in Massachusetts. The most recent addition to our ever-growing collection of effect pedals from today’s...

Read more
Gretsch, Jackson, Charvel, & EVH | 2022  New Releases

Gretsch, Jackson, Charvel, & EVH | 2022  New Releases

Introducing tons of new takes on classic models and more from Gretsch, Charvel, Jackson, and EVH! If that doesn’t have you sweating, well, we’re just getting started. Shop the formidable...

Read more
Squier | Paranormal Series

Squier | Paranormal Series

Normal is overrated. Dare to be different. Shop the new models, components, and colorways in Squier’s Paranormal Series and abduct your own Squier electric guitar today. 

Read more