The Ultimate Fender Custom Shop Electric Guitar Buying Guide

Welcome to Eddie’s Guitars, where we match your passion for truly exceptional instruments with years of curated expertise. Our wonderful staff has decades’ worth of experience helping guitarists from all walks find their perfect guitar match. Let our unique insights be your ultimate guide to finding your perfect Fender Custom Shop electric guitar.

About Fender Guitars

Fender is an iconic American guitar manufacturer known for some of the most influential and beloved electric guitars in history. Founded in 1946, Fender has continually innovated and refined their instruments, setting industry standards with models like the Stratocaster (Strat) and Telecaster. Fender Custom Shop guitars represent the pinnacle of Fender craftsmanship, offering handmade guitars built to exacting standards and tailored to individual preferences.

Best Fender Custom Shop Electric Guitar Models

Fender’s lineup of limited edition electric guitars from the Custom Shop include:

• Double Esquire Heavy Relic – This model is a meticulously crafted instrument renowned for its vintage-inspired design, distinctive heavy relic finish, and versatile single-pickup configuration, offering players a classic yet rugged aesthetic coupled with rich, dynamic tone.
• Telecaster Journeyman Relic – This model combines classic Tele twang with a worn-in look for a timeless vibe.
• Deluxe Closet Classic Telecaster Custom Heavy Relic – This model delivers a road-worn appearance paired with powerful, dynamic Telecaster sound.
• Masterbuilt Joe Strummer Telecaster – This model celebrates the punk icon with a distinctive design and robust sound.

• Postmodern Stratocaster Journeyman Relic – The Fender Custom Shop Limited Edition Stratocaster Journeyman Relic offers vintage appeal with a lightly aged finish, delivering a comfortable, played-in feel.
• Stratocaster Super Heavy Relic – This model combines vintage Stratocaster charm with extensive “relic’ing” for an authentically aged look and feel, appealing to players seeking a well-worn instrument with timeless tone and style.
• Stratocaster Deluxe Closet Classic – This model features classic Stratocaster tones in a gently aged package, appealing to players who appreciate vintage aesthetics.

• Stratocaster HSS – This model features a humbucker pickup at the bridge alongside traditional single-coils, adding versatility to its iconic sound.
• Signature Stratocaster – This model is tailored to specific artists’ preferences, offering unique pickups, neck profiles, and finishes.
• Dick Dale Signature Stratocaster NOS – This model pays homage to the surf rock legend with a new-old-stock finish and powerful pickups.
• American Jazzmaster – This model from the Custom Shop showcases traditional offset styling and smooth, articulate tones favored by jazz and alternative rock players.
• Precision Bass – This model combines meticulous craftsmanship with iconic design, delivering a classic yet customizable instrument cherished for its legendary tone and playability.
• Jazz Bass – This bass guitar model exemplifies precision craftsmanship and timeless design, offering musicians a versatile and dynamic instrument celebrated for its distinctive tone and superior playability.

• Jaguar Bass – This model combines the unique Jaguar body style with a versatile bass platform, catering to bassists seeking distinctive tone and style.
• The Jaguar Deluxe Closet Classic – This model offers a vintage-inspired look and feel with modern appointments for enhanced playability.

Choosing the Right Electric Fender Guitar

Budget

Custom Shop guitars are premium instruments, but keep in mind that they are typically priced higher due to their handcrafted nature and customization options. That said, Eddie’s has a wide range of used and pre-owned instruments to fit your budget.

Sound

Try out different customizations like single-coil and humbucker pickups to find your perfect, unique sound. Custom Shop guitars allow for customization of pickup configurations to achieve specific tones.

Tonewood

Consider how different woods (e.g., alder, ash, mahogany) influence the guitar‘s resonance and overall sound characteristics.

Bridge Types

Choose between different bridge styles such as vintage tremolos, hardtail bridges, or modern floating tremolos. Each affects tuning stability, sustain, and playing feel. Handling each variation in person is, as always, the best way to determine your best match.

Colors

Fender instruments come in a wide range of colors, including Aged Lake Placid Blue, Seafoam Green, Sherwood Green, Vintage White, Aged Nocaster Blonde, Aged Olympic White over 3-Tone Sunburst, Aged Chocolate 3-Color Sunburst, Aged Chocolate 2-Color Sunburst, Aged White Blonde, Aged Shell Pink, Aged Natural Finish, Aged Black, and Aged Sonic Blue.

Genre

Select a guitar that complements your preferred musical genre. For instance, single-coil pickups are versatile for blues, rock, and pop, while humbuckers excel in heavier styles like hard rock and metal.

Body Styles

Consider whether a hollowbody or semi-hollow model would better suit your purposes. Are you going to be performing in front of many people in a large setting, or will you only be performing with this instrument in the comfort of your own home?

Neck Profiles

Determine the neck shape that suits your hand size and playing style, whether it’s a classic C-shape, modern D-shape, or a vintage V-shape.

Amps and Pedals

Consider how your chosen guitar interacts with amplifiers. Fender amps like the Twin Reverb or Deluxe Reverb are classic choices that pair well with Fender guitars. It’s also important to consider how you can enhance your sound with effects pedals such as overdrive, delay, and modulation effects. Experiment to find combinations that complement your guitar‘s tone.

Frets

Choose between vintage-style narrow frets or modern jumbo frets based on your playing preference and technique.

Pick Your Fender Electric Guitar at Eddie’s Guitars

Eddie’s Guitars offers a wide selection of Fender Custom Shop electric guitars, ensuring you find the perfect instrument to match your style and preferences. Our knowledgeable staff can guide you through the customization process and help you select the ideal guitar for your musical journey.

Whether you’re drawn to the timeless elegance of a Stratocaster, the raw simplicity of a Telecaster, or the unique flair of a Jazzmaster or Jaguar, Eddie’s Guitars provides an exceptional shopping experience for acquiring your dream Fender Custom Shop electric guitar.