Exclusive Fender Guitars at Chicago Music Exchange

Fender Custom Shop guitars exclusively at the Chicago Music Exchange!

It's 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.

"Chicago Special" Stratocasters

The “Chicago Special” 1955 Stratocaster is loaded with all of the greatest features this iconic guitar can offer. In keeping with Leo’s vision, every CME 1955 Strat features the iconic 7.25” radius, era correct plastics, and even includes a 3-way switch in the case. We hand selected the neck profile to draw on this vintage classic, and chose a rift sawn neck to enhance the resonance of the maple board. Finally, the Chicago Special pickups we’re created with Mike Lewis to ensure a balanced output across every pole piece. The Alnico 5 magnets are wrapped in 42 gauge enamel wire, and potted in shellac to recreate the round highs, and wide open frequency range of a vintage pickup. If you’re looking for the perfect vintage style stratocaster, this one's for you!

If a more modern spin on a classic Strat is something that interests you, the 1960 “Chicago Special” Stratocaster is for you. The 1960’s were a period of innovation, so we honored the spirit of the time by including a 9’5” radius (a modern upgrade) and a the Fender ½ blender which allows you to blend in the neck pickup in the 1st and 2nd position by way of the first tone knob. The slab rosewood fretboard is joined to a rift sawn maple neck to enhance the resonance of the neck. Finally, the Chicago Special pickups we’re created with Mike Lewis to ensure a balanced output across every pole piece. The Alnico 5 magnets are wrapped in 42 gauge enamel wire, and potted in shellac to recreate the round highs, and wide open frequency range of a vintage pickup.

"Chicago Special" Strat® pickups: Calibrated set - bridge to neck - for balanced output Each pickup as custom AlNiCo 5 magnet stagger for optimum output balance string-to-string 42 gauge enamel wire for round highs Potted in shellac for open wide range frequency response

"Chicago Special" Telecasters

Our 1961 “Chicago Special” Telecaster is a perfect blend of modern and vintage appointments, making this your new favorite Tele! Equipt with a 9.5” radius on a slab rosewood fretboard, and enhanced by a rift sawn maple neck, this Telecaster is comfortable and versatile. Our Chicago Special pickups were created with Mike Lewis to accentuate the best of each Tele pickup. The bridge pickup comes with wide diameter Alnico 3 magnets that are wound with thinner 43 gauge enamel wire giving it then presence you would expect from a classic Tele pickup. The neck pickup however is constructed of wide diameter Alnico 5 magnets that are overwound with 43 gauge enamel wire, giving it a huge sound. Both pickups are a potted in Shellac balancing both pickups with an open and wide frequency range.

"Chicago Special" Jazzmasters

Our goal with our Custom Shop Jazzmasters was to make the absolute best sounding and playing JMs out there. Seems pretty simple right? Combining a mix of vintage specs, and modern mods we think you’ll agree that we hit the mark. From 1959 to 1966, our “Chicago Special” Jazzmasters have a 7.25” radius, a slab rosewood fretboard, and a rift sawn maple neck. The magic really happens under the guard with the combination of a 250k volume pot and our Chicago Specials. Based on a set of 1961 Jazzmaster pickups, George Bland helped us craft our set to have higher output in the neck position than the bridge. The bridge pickup is slightly overwound giving it a smooth and round presence, while the neck pickup is moderately overwound giving it a huge bottom end with with round highs. Both Alnico 5 pickups are potted in shellac to give them a wide and open dynamic range, and wound with 42 gauge enamel wire. When you put everything together, you get the most balanced Jazzmaster on the market!

Our 1970 “Chicago Special” Jazzmaster has a 7.25” radius, and a rift sawn maple neck. The magic really happens under the guard with the combination of a 250k volume pot and our Chicago Specials. Based on a set of 1961 Jazzmaster pickups, George Blanda helped us craft our set to have higher output in the neck position than the bridge. The bridge pickup is slightly overwound giving it a smooth and round presence, while the neck pickup is moderately overwound giving it a huge bottom end with with round highs. Both Alnico 5 pickups are potted in shellac to give them a wide and open dynamic range, and wound with 42 gauge enamel wire.

American Custom Telecaster

The Fender Telecaster is such a ground-breaking design that it's hard to narrow down which particular model is "the best." That's why we took our favorite specs from vintage and modern Telecasters and combined them into one lean, mean, tone-producing machine!

With a Seymour Duncan Antiquity Humbucker in the neck, and a Hand-Wound Broadcaster pickup in the bridge, our Tele covers a lot of ground on the tonal spectrum. Combine that with our exclusive finishes, vintage-correct appointments modern playability considerations, this is a Telecaster that shouldn't be passed up!

1962 Journeyman Relic Faded Jaguar w/ Painted Headcap

Originally introduced in 1962 as Fender's top-of-the-line model, the incredibly versatile Jaguar played critical role in musical countercultures since its inception. Our "CME Spec" '62 Jaguar pays homage to the original look and feel of vintage Jags, with classic finishes and a comfortable Journeyman Relic and Tortoise pickguards, while adding some modern amenities such as Lollar Jaguar pickups, Rift Sawn Maple necks, and AAA Rosewood fingerboards.

1962 Journeyman Relic Aged/Faded Bass VI w/ Lollars

Widely considered a "secret weapon" for producers looking to add some defined, yet deep low-end to their mixes, the Bass VI is one of those rare Fender models who's novelty and utility is worth its weight in gold. We took the iconic Bass VI and added our own flair to it, allowing modern-day musicians to get that classic Bass VI sound without having to track down an original.

Unique features on this vintage-inspired Bass VI include: Bass VI “C”-shaped maple neck profile with a 7.25”-radius rosewood fingerboard, Bass VI wiring, 3 Lollar Jaguar single-coil pickups, Jag/Jazz adjustable bridge with threaded steel saddles and a tortoise shell pickguard for timeless aesthetic.

1960 Relic Super Aged/Faded Jazz Bass w/ Painted Headcap

The Fender Jazz Bass is an undeniable staple in the world of bass guitars. We took the iconic 1960 model and added some custom appointments to make this the best feeling, looking, and most importantly sounding, vintage-inspired Jazz Bass you can find.

Our Super Aged/Faded Sherwood Green finish with a Tortoise pickguard is a stunning combo that's classy and feels like you've known this bass for decades. Vintage J Bass Rhythm and Lead Relic pickups occupy the neck and bridge positions respectively, giving you that classic vintage J Bass tone you've been looking for for decades, in a bass that'll last longer than the real thing itself.

1960 Relic Super Aged/Faded Jazz Bass w/ Painted Headcap

Commemorating the debut of the iconic Telecaster, the Fender Road Worn ‘50s Telecaster is a near-exact replica of the instrument’s very first production models. Featuring a nitrocellulose lacquer Road Worn finish on a solid alder body, maple neck with 7.25”-radius maple fingerboard, and vintage-inspired hardware, this is the spitting image of a 1950s Tele. What’s more, Fender equips this one with dual Tex-Mex pickups that squeal and sing just like your favorite ‘50s hand-wound single coils without the massive price tag. That’s what Road Worn is all about.

Those of us who love vintage understand the beauty of history and the instruments that bear theirs with pride. All the licks, lumps, and luster of time are boldly brandished as a catalog of a life hard-lived and shows hard-played. The Fender Road Worn Series honors these guitars with lovingly reliced models representing iconic decades in Fender’s history.

1960 American Special Telecaster

The original go-to guitar for that country-style chicken pickin’, the Telecaster gets a thoroughly American upgrade with two Texas Special single-coil pickups and Greasebucket circuitry. Add to that a modern “C” neck profile and jumbo frets and the Fender American Special Telecaster is more than enough to make us stand at attention.

Player Telecasters

A no-frills classic made for players of all levels, the Fender Player Telecaster is a true workhorse guitar. Fender keeps the specs stock across the board with an alder body, two Player Series single-coils, 9.5”-radius fingerboard, and string-through bridge with bent-steel saddles, updating only the neck profile to a very playable “Modern C” shape. Rugged and ready, this it the Telecaster. Simple but never plain.

Replacing the now-discontinued Standard series, the Fender Player Series honors the core Fender classics with quality construction, vintage-inspired finishes, select modern updates, and friendly price points that appeal to a range of aspiring and experienced players.

Player Stratocasters

If you’ve been looking for a well-made Stratocaster, then look no further. Fender keeps the specs stock across the board with an alder body, three Player Series single-coils, 9.5”-radius fingerboard, and two-point tremolo bridge with bent-steel saddles, updating only the neck profile to a very playable “Modern C" shape. Simple and classic, this is the Stratocaster distilled to its purest form.

Replacing the now-discontinued Standard series, the Fender Player Series honors the core Fender classics with quality construction, vintage-inspired finishes, select modern updates, and friendly price points that appeal to a range of aspiring and experienced players.

Player & American Original Jazzmasters

Classic Player Jazzmaster

Initially marketed to jazz guitarists as a sophisticated and specialized new release from Fender, the Jazzmaster was a near-instant hit with surf-rockers. This Classic Player in CME Exclusive Surf Green is an updated take on the old offset. Two Pure Vintage 65 Jazzmaster pickups with "lead"/"rhythm" dual-circuit design and three-way toggle switch bring a fatter tone with more heat, while the optimized neck pocket improves playability. It's the Jazzmaster. The original. There's nothing else quite like it, and it's better than ever.

Player & American Original Jazzmaster

A modern reproduction of the guitar that entranced generations of the musical vanguard, the Fender American Original ‘60s Jazzmaster keeps alive the classic style and tone of first Jazzmaster with two Pure Vintage '65 single-Coil Jazzmaster pickups and an updated fretboard radius of 9.5" for a modern playability.

Offset Series Mustang/Mustang Bass

As cool and easy to play as it was in 1964, the Fender Offset Mustang offers a few key upgrades to the original short-scale, offset design. Two MP-90 single-coil pickups are wired through three-way toggle switching. The modern “C”-shape maple neck with 9.5”-radius maple fingerboard and medium jumbo frets is easier to play than ever, and the six-saddle string-through hardtail bridge adds sustain and reliability.

Since its original release in 1964, the Mustang Bass has been one of Fender's most enduring bass designs, finding its way into the hands of bassists ranging from The Rolling Stones to My Chemical Romance. This updated version of the short-scale underground hero adds the power of venerable P Bass® and J Bass® pickups to the traditional Mustang design for flexible, thunderous bass tone with smooth playing feel and slick visual style.