"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 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
Fender Custom Shop WW10 '55 Stratocaster Journeyman Relic Faded Taos Turquoise 2015 Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Fender Custom Shop WW10 '55 Stratocaster Journeyman Relic Faded Taos Turquoise 2015 Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Fender Custom Shop WW10 '55 Stratocaster Journeyman Relic Faded Taos Turquoise 2015 Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Fender Custom Shop WW10 '55 Stratocaster Journeyman Relic Faded Taos Turquoise 2015 Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Fender Custom Shop WW10 '55 Stratocaster Journeyman Relic Faded Taos Turquoise 2015 Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Fender Custom Shop WW10 '55 Stratocaster Journeyman Relic Faded Taos Turquoise 2015 Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Fender Custom Shop WW10 '55 Stratocaster Journeyman Relic Faded Taos Turquoise 2015 Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Fender Custom Shop WW10 '55 Stratocaster Journeyman Relic Faded Taos Turquoise 2015 Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Fender Custom Shop WW10 '55 Stratocaster Journeyman Relic Faded Taos Turquoise 2015 Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Fender Custom Shop WW10 '55 Stratocaster Journeyman Relic Faded Taos Turquoise 2015 Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Fender Custom Shop WW10 '55 Stratocaster Journeyman Relic Faded Taos Turquoise 2015 Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Fender Custom Shop WW10 '55 Stratocaster Journeyman Relic Faded Taos Turquoise 2015 Electric Guitars / Solid Body

Fender Custom Shop WW10 '55 Stratocaster Journeyman Relic Faded Taos Turquoise 2015

$3,390.00
Fender Custom Shop 1962 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1962 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1962 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1962 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1962 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1962 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1962 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1962 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1962 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1962 Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop 1962 Jazzmaster

Fender Custom Shop 1962 Jazzmaster "Chicago Special" Journeyman Relic Waste Bucket Sparkle

$7,000.00
Fender Custom Shop 1963 Stratocaster Deluxe Closet Classic Faded Walnut Master Built by Todd Krause Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Fender Custom Shop 1963 Stratocaster Deluxe Closet Classic Faded Walnut Master Built by Todd Krause Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Fender Custom Shop 1963 Stratocaster Deluxe Closet Classic Faded Walnut Master Built by Todd Krause Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Fender Custom Shop 1963 Stratocaster Deluxe Closet Classic Faded Walnut Master Built by Todd Krause Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Fender Custom Shop 1963 Stratocaster Deluxe Closet Classic Faded Walnut Master Built by Todd Krause Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Fender Custom Shop 1963 Stratocaster Deluxe Closet Classic Faded Walnut Master Built by Todd Krause Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Fender Custom Shop 1963 Stratocaster Deluxe Closet Classic Faded Walnut Master Built by Todd Krause Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Fender Custom Shop 1963 Stratocaster Deluxe Closet Classic Faded Walnut Master Built by Todd Krause Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Fender Custom Shop 1963 Stratocaster Deluxe Closet Classic Faded Walnut Master Built by Todd Krause Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Fender Custom Shop 1963 Stratocaster Deluxe Closet Classic Faded Walnut Master Built by Todd Krause Electric Guitars / Solid Body
Fender Custom Shop 1963 Stratocaster Deluxe Closet Classic Faded Walnut Master Built by Todd Krause Electric Guitars / Solid Body

Fender Custom Shop 1963 Stratocaster Deluxe Closet Classic Faded Walnut Master Built by Todd Krause

$8,680.00

Related Posts

Suhr | Discovery Analog Delay

Suhr | Discovery Analog Delay

The Suhr Discover Analog Delay is the all-new revolutionary pedal, designed by Kevin Suhr. The Discovery Analog Delay is the first of it's kind, for Suhr and the world, retaining...

Read more
Fishman Fluence | Greg Koch Signature P90 Pickups

Fishman Fluence | Greg Koch Signature P90 Pickups

New from Fishman, the Fluence Greg Koch Signature Pickups are much like the man himself: traditional, and absolutely anything but. Thanks to Fishman’s advanced Fluence technology, this collaboration offers a...

Read more
Catalinbread | Dreamcoat & Skewer Box Set

Catalinbread | Dreamcoat & Skewer Box Set

Catalinbread is back with more fresh-baked goodies! The Special Edition Dreamcoat & Skewer Box Set explores the signature sound of Deep Purple guitarist Richie Blackmore, channeling some of his favorite...

Read more