The pinnacle of Fender craftsmanship. Built by hand. Played by legends.
At Chicago Music Exchange, we proudly offer one of the strongest and most diverse selections of Fender Custom Shop guitars available anywhere. Whether you’re searching for a Masterbuilt Stratocaster, a Team Built Telecaster, a Custom Shop Jazzmaster, or a vintage-inspired Time Machine reissue, CME curates the best of the Fender Custom Shop—featuring rare finishes, special runs, limited editions, and exclusive CME-spec builds.
Designed for the most discerning players, Fender Custom Shop guitars offer elevated craftsmanship, hand-selected woods, vintage-correct specs, period-accurate pickups, and relic finishes that capture decades of musical history. These instruments sit at the top of Fender’s lineup—and at the center of countless professional rigs around the world.
Why Guitarists Want Fender Custom Shop Guitars
- Guitarists choose Custom Shop instruments because they offer:
- Superior craftsmanship and hand-detailing
- Vintage-correct specs and era-specific pickups
- Unmatched feel, resonance, and responsiveness
- Custom neck profiles tailored for playability
- Premium woods, hardware, and aging techniques
- Masterbuilt & Team Built options for every playing style
- Collectibility and long-term value
- A Fender Custom Shop Strat or Tele is not just an instrument—it’s a lifelong companion built to perform at the highest level.
The History of the Fender Custom Shop
Founded in 1987, the Fender Custom Shop was created to build instruments for top touring and recording artists who needed the highest quality electric guitars. What began as a two-person operation quickly became home to the world’s finest luthiers.
Key milestones:
- Late 80s: Early Custom Shop builders craft guitars for Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and David Gilmour.
- 1990s: Time Machine Series introduces era-specific vintage Fender reissues.
- 2000s: Relic aging becomes a global phenomenon.
- 2010s–2020s: Masterbuilders like John Cruz, Todd Krause, Greg Fessler, Yuriy Shishkov, and Jason Smith elevate the Custom Shop to legendary status.
Today, Fender Custom Shop guitars are among the most searched-for premium instruments on the internet—trusted by session players, collectors, and touring pros.
Most Popular Custom Shop Models at CME
Custom Shop Stratocaster (Team Built & Masterbuilt)
- 50s, 60s & 70s reissues
- Custom pickups (Fat 50s, Texas Specials, Hand-Wound sets)
- Neck shapes: soft V, 60s oval C, large C, 10/56 V
- Available in NOS, Closet Classic, Journeyman Relic, Heavy Relic
Perfect for blues, rock, fusion, indie, worship, and session work.
Custom Shop Telecaster (Team Built & Masterbuilt)
- 50s Blackguard-style
- 60s double-bound Telecaster
- Custom Nocaster reissues
- Twisted Tele, Hand-Wound Tele pickups
- Nitro finishes with light to extreme aging
One of the most iconic Fender experiences available.
Custom Shop Jazzmaster, Jaguar & Offsets
- 60s Jazzmaster & Jaguar models
- Wide range of color options, matching headstocks, heavy relic variants
- Perfect for indie, alternative, surf, shoegaze
Custom Shop Precision & Jazz Basses
- 50s & 60s reissues
- Hand-wound vintage bass pickups
- Nitro finishes with period-correct hardware
These are some of the most recorded bass sounds in history.
Relic Styles & Custom Shop Finishes (SEO-optimized)
Fender Custom Shop offers many aging levels, searched heavily online:
- NOS (New Old Stock) – Clean, unagedCloset Classic – Light aging
- Journeyman Relic – Light wear
- Relic – More dramatic aging
- Heavy Relic – Fully worn-in vintage look
Each finish level changes not only aesthetics but feel and resonance.
Artists & Influencers Who Use Fender Custom Shop Guitars
- Rock & Blues Icons
- Eric Clapton
- Jeff Beck
- John Mayer
- David Gilmour
- Ronnie Wood
Modern Guitar Heroes
- Ariel Posen
- Mateus Asato
- Tyler Bryant
- Isaiah Sharkey
YouTubers & Influencers Helping Drive Search Demand
- Rhett Shull
- Mary Spender
- Paul Davids
- JHS
- Cory Wong (tones & features)
Their demos and reviews continuously create massive search spikes for phrases like “best Fender Custom Shop guitar”, “Custom Shop relic review”, and “Masterbuilt Strat vs Team Built Strat.”
Specs & Build Variations (SEO-rich key terms)
Most commonly searched Custom Shop specifications include:
- Neck shapes: Soft V, U-shape, C-shape, 10/56 V, large C
- Pickups: Hand-Wound Fat 60s, Texas Specials, Josefina hand-wound models
- Radius & frets: 9.5", 7.25", compound radius, jumbo or narrow tall frets
- Body woods: Alder, ash
- Nitrocellulose lacquer finishes
- Vintage & modern bridge options
- Custom wiring, blender circuits, 4-way Tele mods
- Custom Shop guitars combine vintage authenticity with modern flexibility.
Fender Custom Shop Price Points
Typical ranges based on model & build type:
- $3,499–$4,799 — Team Built Strat & Tele
- $4,499–$6,999 — Limited editions & special runs
- $7,999–$14,000+ — Masterbuilt instruments
- $4,000–$9,000 — Custom Shop basses
- $5,000–$20,000+ — Highly collectible or signature models
CME frequently carries exclusive runs and rare Masterbuilt pieces.
Why Buy Fender Custom Shop Guitars from Chicago Music Exchange?
- One of the largest Fender Custom Shop inventories in the world
- Deep selection of Strats, Teles, Offsets & Basses
- Exclusive CME-spec builds you can’t find anywhere else
- Expert staff with decades of knowledge on Custom Shop specs
- Trusted by collectors and touring professionals globally
- Fast U.S. shipping and international service
At CME, every Custom Shop guitar is hand-inspected, professionally set up, and photographed with the detail serious buyers expect.
FAQ – Fender Custom Shop Guitars
What makes a Fender Custom Shop guitar better?
Superior craftsmanship, hand-wound pickups, premium woods, vintage-correct specs, and Masterbuilder oversight.
What’s the difference between Masterbuilt and Team Built?
- Masterbuilt = one luthier builds the entire guitar.
- Team Built = a group of craftsmen following Custom Shop standards.
Are Fender Custom Shop guitars worth it?
Yes—players choose them for tone, playability, collectibility, and long-term value.
What relic level should I choose?
Light relic for subtle aging; heavy relic for fully broken-in feel.
Which Custom Shop Strat is most popular?
The 1960, 1963, and 1956 reissues are consistent best-sellers.
Does CME carry exclusive Fender Custom Shop runs?
Yes—Chicago Music Exchange commissions unique finishes, specs, and limited editions.
