Collection: Fender Custom Shop
Welcome to our exclusive collection of Fender Custom Shop guitars, the pinnacle of Fender craftsmanship. Born in 1987, the Fender Custom Shop emerged from a desire to recapture the magic of Fender's golden era, building exceptional instruments with meticulous attention to detail and premium materials. Revered by discerning musicians worldwide, the Fender Custom Shop offers everything from faithful relic Fender guitars that evoke vintage mojo to innovative, modern designs tailored for today's players. Explore our extensive inventory of new Fender Custom Shop guitars and discover the artistry and unparalleled playability that makes each instrument a legend. Whether you're searching for a specific Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster, Telecaster, or a unique, custom-built Fender, you've arrived at the ultimate destination for these highly sought-after guitars.
Fender Custom Shop
Few electric guitars represent craftsmanship at the highest level like those built by the Fender Custom Shop. Established in 1987 to serve elite touring professionals, the Custom Shop became Fender’s answer to players demanding vintage-correct tone, modern reliability, and exceptional feel in a single instrument.
At Chicago Music Exchange, we carry one of the strongest selections of Fender Custom Shop guitars available — including Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jazzmaster, Jaguar, Precision Bass, and Jazz Bass models in both Team Built and Masterbuilt configurations. From Time Machine vintage reissues to Heavy Relic limited editions and exclusive CME-spec builds, our inventory reflects the most searched and most sought-after Fender instruments in the world.
What separates a Custom Shop guitar from standard production models is refinement. Bodies are hand-selected for weight and resonance. Necks are carved to precise vintage-era profiles like Soft V, Oval C, and 10/56 V. Finishes are applied in thin nitrocellulose lacquer. Many models feature hand-wound pickups — including Josefina and Fat ’60s sets — designed for dynamic clarity and historical accuracy.
Players on the hunt for the best Fender Custom Shop guitar, master built or not are often chasing feel & looks equally as they are tone. A Custom Shop Strat offers articulate high-end sparkle and expressive response. A Custom Shop Telecaster delivers snap and directness with vintage authority. Offsets like the Jazzmaster and Jaguar provide texture and harmonic complexity. Precision and Jazz Bass reissues recreate some of the most recorded low-end tones in history.
Relic levels — from NOS to Heavy Relic — allow players to choose between pristine finishes or decades-worn character. Whether for stage, studio, or collection, Fender Custom Shop guitars combine vintage inspiration with modern consistency.
Every Custom Shop instrument at Chicago Music Exchange is individually photographed, professionally inspected, and carefully set up before shipping — ensuring serious players receive an instrument ready to perform at the highest level.
FAQ – Fender Custom Shop Guitars
What makes a Fender Custom Shop guitar different from standard Fender models?
Custom Shop guitars use hand-selected woods, thinner nitro finishes, precise neck shapes, and often hand-wound pickups. Build tolerances are tighter, and each guitar is individually inspected, giving enhanced resonance, feel, and vintage-correct detailing compared to standard production models.
What is the difference between Masterbuilt and Team Built?
Masterbuilt guitars are crafted start-to-finish by one Masterbuilder. Team Built models are made by a small group of Custom Shop specialists. Both meet Fender’s highest standards, but Masterbuilt instruments are rarer and often more collectible due to individual builder recognition.
Why do players choose Fender Custom Shop guitars over standard production models?
Players choose Custom Shop guitars for superior craftsmanship, vintage-correct details, and refined feel. Hand-selected woods, thinner finishes, precise fretwork, and hand-wound pickups enhance nuance and responsiveness. Limited production and historical accuracy also make them highly desirable for collectors and serious players.
Which Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster specs are most popular?
1956, 1960, and 1963 reissues are top sellers. Common specs include alder bodies, slab rosewood or maple boards, 9.5" radius, hand-wound vintage-style pickups, and Journeyman Relic finishes.
Do relic finishes affect tone?
Relic finishes are mostly aesthetic, but thinner nitro finishes and worn-in necks can slightly influence resonance and feel. Tonal changes are subtle; the tactile, played-in experience is usually the more noticeable difference.
Does Chicago Music Exchange offer exclusive Custom Shop builds?
Yes. CME commissions exclusive finishes, pickup combos, and spec variations not available elsewhere. These limited-run models are unique to Chicago Music Exchange.
How are Fender Custom Shop Guitars Built?
Custom Shop guitars are made in small batches with tight quality controls. Bodies are hand-selected, paired with era-specific necks, and finished in thin nitro lacquer. Hand-wound pickups and individual inspections ensure clarity, responsiveness, and vintage-accurate playability before leaving the shop.
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Masterbuilt vs Team Built: What Really Matters?
Both meet top Fender standards, but Masterbuilt guitars are made entirely by one Masterbuilder, while Team Built are assembled by specialists. The difference is mainly exclusivity and collector appeal; structurally and tonally, both are outstanding. Choice often depends on rarity and builder recognition, not playability.
Fender Custom Shop Relic Finishes Explained
Relic levels range from NOS (clean and unaged) to Heavy Relic (extensively worn to replicate decades of play). Beyond aesthetics, relic treatments typically include rolled fingerboard edges, worn-in neck backs, and lightly aged hardware for a smoother tactile experience. Many players choose relic models for comfort and familiarity rather than appearance alone. Thin nitro finishes used in relic models may also contribute to a more open, resonant feel compared to thicker modern finishes.
Choosing the Right Specs: Neck Shapes, Radius & Pickups
Selecting the right Fender Custom Shop guitar often comes down to specifications. Neck profiles like Soft V, Oval C, or 10/56 V significantly influence hand comfort. Fingerboard radius options (7.25", 9.5", or compound) affect bending and chord feel. Pickup choices — such as hand-wound ’50s-style sets, Fat ’60s, or Josefina-wound models — determine output, midrange response, and articulation. Understanding these details helps players match the instrument to their genre, technique, and tonal goals rather than simply choosing by year or finish.
Fender Custom Shop vs Standard Production Models
Custom Shop guitars differ from American Professional or American Vintage models in wood selection, finish application, fretwork precision, and overall refinement. Production guitars are built for consistency and accessibility, while Custom Shop instruments emphasize nuance and historical accuracy. Players often report improved resonance, balance, and responsiveness in Custom Shop models. For professionals and collectors, the difference is typically felt immediately in touch sensitivity and dynamic range.
Investment & Collectibility Factors
Fender Custom Shop guitars are produced in smaller quantities than standard models, contributing to their long-term desirability. Limited editions, discontinued specs, and Masterbuilt instruments often retain value more consistently over time. Factors that influence collectibility include builder name, rarity, finish color, originality, and condition. While tone and playability drive most purchases, many buyers also consider resale stability and historical accuracy when investing in a Custom Shop instrument.
Fender Custom Shop Telecaster
Explore our diverse range of Fender Custom Shop Telecaster guitars, a cornerstone of legendary tone and timeless design. Whether you're seeking the pristine perfection of new Fender Custom Shop Telecasters or the seasoned character of used Fender Custom Shop Telecasters with their own unique stories, we have a Tele for every discerning player.
For a truly exceptional experience, discover our exclusive Fender Custom Shop "Chicago Special" Telecasters. These unique instruments are meticulously crafted with our proprietary "Chicago Special" pickups, delivering a distinct voice that blends vintage warmth with modern clarity and punch. Experience the difference that custom-voiced pickups can make in a premium Fender Custom Shop Telecaster. From classic configurations to innovative twists, our selection of Fender Custom Shop Telecasters, including our special "Chicago Special" models, offers unparalleled quality and sonic versatility.
Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster
Immerse yourself in the iconic contours and legendary versatility of our Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster collection. Whether you're drawn to the pristine snap and articulate tones of new Fender Custom Shop Stratocasters, or the road-worn character and unique resonance of used Fender Custom Shop Stratocasters, your perfect Strat awaits.
Experience a unique voice with our exclusive Fender Custom Shop "Chicago Special" Stratocasters. These exceptional instruments feature our specially designed "Chicago Special" pickups, meticulously voiced to deliver a balanced blend of bell-like chime, warm sustain, and articulate midrange – a sonic signature perfect for a wide range of musical styles. Discover the enhanced clarity and responsiveness that these custom pickups bring to a premium Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster. From classic configurations that evoke legendary players to modern interpretations pushing sonic boundaries, our selection of Fender Custom Shop Stratocasters, including our distinctive "Chicago Special" models, offers unparalleled playability and timeless Stratocaster magic.
Fender Custom Shop Jazzmaster
Fender Custom Shop Jazzmaster guitars are renowned for their unique offset design and versatile sonic palette. Explore our selection of new Fender Custom Shop Jazzmasters, representing the pinnacle of modern craftsmanship and innovation. For players seeking instruments with character and a story, our collection of used Fender Custom Shop Jazzmasters offers a range of well-loved guitars ready for their next chapter.
Discover a distinct voice with our exclusive Fender Custom Shop "Chicago Special" Jazzmasters. These exceptional instruments are meticulously crafted and feature our specially voiced "Chicago Special" pickups, delivering a rich and articulate tone with a balanced low-end, clear midrange, and shimmering highs – perfect for players seeking both vintage-inspired warmth and modern clarity. Experience the enhanced sonic possibilities that these custom pickups bring to a premium Fender Custom Shop Jazzmaster. Whether you're drawn to the model's iconic aesthetics or its flexible sound, our selection of Fender Custom Shop Jazzmasters, including our unique "Chicago Special" models, offers exceptional quality and inspiring tones.