Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Superbooth 2026
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
Jake Kiszka of Greta Van Fleet rips a solo on his '61 SG.
Artists Jake Kiszka on the time he went shopping for the world’s most expensive guitar amp in Japan
Harley Benton refreshes its Pro Series with 41 new Fusion-IV S-styles, mid-priced but offering specs such as quilted maple veneers, sculpted heels, EMGs and locking tuners
Guitars A sub-$600 shred machine with active EMGs and roasted flame maple neck? Harley Benton expands its Pro Series with 41 hot-rodded but affordable S-styles
Fender 75th Anniversary Telecaster Road Worn and Cabronita
Electric Guitars Fender 75th Anniversary Vintera Road Worn 1951 Telecaster & American Professional Classic Cabronita Telecaster review
A Strandberg Boden Original N2.6T headless electric guitar with a Fender Tone Master amp modeler
Electric Guitars “If this is the future of guitar, then sign me up”: Strandberg Boden Original N2.6T review
EVH Gear Wolfgang Special Baked Maple: the high-performance electrics are refreshed with baked maple necks, TOM bridges and Floyd Rose vibratos
Guitars Eddie Van Halen-approved baked maple necks? Check. Flagship pickups? Check. EVH Gear unveils stunning refresh of the Wolfgang Special
Jackson Pro Plus Pure Metal Kelly
Electric Guitars “Everything a headbanger could want from a metal guitar – just as long as you don’t need a neck pickup”: Jackson Pro Plus Pure Metal KE1A Kelly review
Sterling By Music Man Joe Dart Collection, ft. the Joe Dart I [left] and the Joe Dart Vision – the bass with no controls
Artists No knobs? No problem – Sterling By Music Man takes bass guitar design minimalism to its logical conclusion with the super-cool Joe Dart Vision
A Harley Benton Fusion IV HH electric guitar lies on a white floor with a rug and guitar cable nearby
Electric Guitars “It certainly appears a lot more expensive than it actually is”: Harley Benton Fusion IV HH FR review
Fender Godzilla Distortion
Guitars You’ve seen Fender’s Godzilla Strat, now here the comes the pedal – and it’s a monster op-amp distortion with city-levelling tone (and a seriously cool graphic finish)
Brian Fallon of the Gaslight Anthem demoes his signature '59 Telecaster Custom, a new for 2026 limited edition model from the Fender Custom Shop.
Artists Fender releases the Brian Fallon ’59 Telecaster Custom, a high-end replica of the guitar that built the Gaslight Anthem sound
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars 2026: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
Harley Benton JA-Baritone HH BK
Guitars Harley Benton drops a sub-$250 baritone that proves you can do low tunings at low prices – and stay fashionably offset
Close up of a Taylor GS Mini acoustic guitar lying on a wooden floor
Acoustic Guitars Best acoustic guitars 2026: Super steel string acoustics for all players and budgets
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: Just in time for Mother's Day, we've found $700 off an unusual Gibson, $500 off a stunning Ibanez Prestige AZ2204, plus heavy savings on recording and live gear
Jake Kiszka plays his '61 SG live onstage during Tons of Rock 2025
Artists How Greta Van Fleet's Jake Kiszka met the Beloved – the ’61 SG Les Paul that became his talisman
More
  • Superbooth 2026
  • Kate Bush Army Dreamers
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Theory of Feels
  1. Guitars

NAMM 2015: Fender Custom Shop's wildest guitars in pictures

News
By Matt Parker published 22 January 2015

Zombies, jewels, tree sirens and more!

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Introduction

Introduction

NAMM 2015: MusicRadar was on hand to capture this year's selection of Fender's finest Custom Shop guitars, including jaw-dropping zombie paintjobs, rare tone woods and diamond-studded stunners.

A regular highpoint at every NAMM Show, the Fender Custom Shop reception, offers selected guests a sneak peek at some of the finest builds from the Fender, Gretsch and Jackson Custom Shops before the show gets fully underway. These are very, very limited models - some of them won't even make it to the show floor.

We headed along to bring you an early report from the show floor, so browse the gallery to see what happens when the Custom Shop's Master Builders are let off the leash...

Page 1 of 20
Page 1 of 20
#181 Fender Custom Shop Quilted Redwood Top Tele Relic - Natural

#181 Fender Custom Shop Quilted Redwood Top Tele Relic - Natural

Lightweight ash body, quilted redwood top, thin urethane finish.

Page 2 of 20
Page 2 of 20
#300 Fender Custom Shop Baritone NOS Custom Brown Metallic

#300 Fender Custom Shop Baritone NOS Custom Brown Metallic

Ash body, polyurethane finish, maple neck

Page 3 of 20
Page 3 of 20
#326 Fender Custom Shop Zombie Strat Custom Art

#326 Fender Custom Shop Zombie Strat Custom Art

Ash body, quilt maple top, Zombie artwork by Joaquin Lopez, inlays by Ron Thorn.

Page 4 of 20
Page 4 of 20
#334 Fender Custom Shop Solar Eclipse Stratocaster

#334 Fender Custom Shop Solar Eclipse Stratocaster

Alder body, Solar Eclipse Burst, WLS satin finish, hand stained maple neck.

Page 5 of 20
Page 5 of 20
#308 Fender Custom Shop Tree Siren Strat Closet Classic

#308 Fender Custom Shop Tree Siren Strat Closet Classic

One piece Tomo ash body, custom Tree Siren artwork, birds eye maple neck.

Page 6 of 20
Page 6 of 20
#339 Fender Custom Shop Flicker Flame Strat

#339 Fender Custom Shop Flicker Flame Strat

Alder body, Flicker Flame graphic on body and pickguard by Troy Lee Designs.

Page 7 of 20
Page 7 of 20
#347 Fender Custom Shop Cardinal Esquire Crimson Trans

#347 Fender Custom Shop Cardinal Esquire Crimson Trans

Alder body, 4A quilt maple top, thin lacquer on body and neck, hand polished, gold hardware, silver wire, rubies, green diopsides and diamonds set in body and neck.

Page 8 of 20
Page 8 of 20
#336 Fender Custom Shop Carved Pine Top Tele Natural

#336 Fender Custom Shop Carved Pine Top Tele Natural

Chambered mahogany body, carved 100 year old weathered pine top, engraved gold hardware.

Page 9 of 20
Page 9 of 20
Fender Custom Shop Pine Cone Stratocaster

Fender Custom Shop Pine Cone Stratocaster

550 diamonds, blue hand-stained finish recreates appearance of the Fabergé Pine Cone Easter Egg.

Page 10 of 20
Page 10 of 20
#338 Fender Custom Shop Aluminum Hyroform Strat

#338 Fender Custom Shop Aluminum Hyroform Strat

Aluminium body and pickguard, handwound Fat 50s pickups, one piece Rift maple neck.

Page 11 of 20
Page 11 of 20
#014 Fender Custom Shop Limited Edition Relic Tele Caballo Tono Black

#014 Fender Custom Shop Limited Edition Relic Tele Caballo Tono Black

Lightweight alder body, lacquer finish, RSD bridge, TV Jones Classic Neck humbucker, Handwound Texas Special bridge pickup.

Page 12 of 20
Page 12 of 20
#501 Gretsch White Falcon NOS

#501 Gretsch White Falcon NOS

Laminated maple hollow archtop body, maple neck, ebony board, pearl humptop engraved inlay.

Page 13 of 20
Page 13 of 20
#503 Gretsch 1955 White Falcon Relic

#503 Gretsch 1955 White Falcon Relic

Laminated maple hollow archtop body, maple neck, ebony board, pearl humptop engraved inlay.

Page 14 of 20
Page 14 of 20
#500 Gretsch Bayou Round-Up

#500 Gretsch Bayou Round-Up

Laminated maple/gator hide top, mahogany/gator hide back and sides, mahogany neck, rosewood board, bayou themed engraved block inlay.

Page 15 of 20
Page 15 of 20
#505 Gretsch 1955 White Falcon Red Sparkle Binding

#505 Gretsch 1955 White Falcon Red Sparkle Binding

Laminated maple hollow archtop body, maple neck, ebony board, pearl humptop engraved inlay.

Page 16 of 20
Page 16 of 20
Gretsch Master Builder Stephen Stern

Gretsch Master Builder Stephen Stern

The Gretsch guitar maestro, pictured with one of his White Falcon Red Sparkle creations.

Page 17 of 20
Page 17 of 20
Jackson Roswell ELE

Jackson Roswell ELE

Contains an actual piece of a meteor in the central chamber, distinguishing it from all of the guitars that don't contain a piece of meteor in a central chamber.

Jackson roswell ele detail

Jackson roswell ele detail
Page 18 of 20
Page 18 of 20
#400 Jackson Kaiju

#400 Jackson Kaiju

Hand-carved and painted by Mike Learn. Custom paint by Brian Bock. Custom hand-carved alder body.

Page 19 of 20
Page 19 of 20
#404 Jackson Skinned Dinky

#404 Jackson Skinned Dinky

Skin by FX artist Tim Gore. Painted by Craig Fraser.

#404 jackson skinned dinky detail

#404 jackson skinned dinky detail
Page 20 of 20
Page 20 of 20
Matt Parker
Matt Parker

Matt is a freelance journalist who has spent the last decade interviewing musicians for the likes of Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, MusicRadar, NME.com, DJ Mag and Electronic Sound. In 2020, he launched CreativeMoney.co.uk, which aims to share the ideas that make creative lifestyles more sustainable. He plays guitar, but should not be allowed near your delay pedals.

Read more
Brian Fallon of the Gaslight Anthem demoes his signature '59 Telecaster Custom, a new for 2026 limited edition model from the Fender Custom Shop.
Artists Fender releases the Brian Fallon ’59 Telecaster Custom, a high-end replica of the guitar that built the Gaslight Anthem sound
 
 
Jackson Custom Shop Misha Mansoor Surfcaster
Guitars Misha Mansoor's Jackson Custom Shop USA Signature Baritone Surfcaster 6-string is finally revealed
 
 
Fender 75th Anniversary Telecaster Road Worn and Cabronita
Electric Guitars Fender 75th Anniversary Vintera Road Worn 1951 Telecaster & American Professional Classic Cabronita Telecaster review
 
 
The Fender Vintera III series offers period correct specs and promises golden era tones — and here five from the range are lined up in formation.
Guitars “We set out to capture the defining moments that shaped Fender’s legacy”: Fender unveils the Vintera III series
 
 
Harley Benton NAMM 2026 releases include left-handed options on its V-style electric and offset bass guitars, fresh finish options for the SC single-cuts, and new colours for its HSS S-style
Guitars Harley Benton’s 2026 mega-drop: Metallica makeovers, fresh colours and a baritone SC Custom III, all-solid acoustics for under $250 and more
 
 
Gretsch G6136TG-58 Limited Edition 1958 Custom Falcon and G6134TG-58 Limited Edition 1958 Custom Penguin with Bigsby, photographed on a green leather couch,
Guitars Gretsch's exquisite, limited run Penguin and Falcon are a pair of fine-feathered guitars to crow about
 
 
Latest in Guitars
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: Just in time for Mother's Day, we've found $700 off an unusual Gibson, $500 off a stunning Ibanez Prestige AZ2204, plus heavy savings on recording and live gear
 
 
Jared James Nichols plays his Gibson Futura on a stage lit up in red-pink.
Artists “I felt like I was levitating off the ground. I felt like I was in Cream in 1968”: Jared James Nichols on why he switched to Marshall amps
 
 
Roland Lydia Phase 2
Tech Project Lydia, Roland’s neural sampling stompbox, moves a step closer to becoming a finished product
 
 
IK Multimedia Tonex One Plus
Guitars The most mighty mini amp modelling pedal just got mightier as IK Multimedia offers full MIDI integration and wireless editing on the Tonex One+
 
 
Jackson Pro Plus Pure Metal Kelly
Electric Guitars “Everything a headbanger could want from a metal guitar – just as long as you don’t need a neck pickup”: Jackson Pro Plus Pure Metal KE1A Kelly review
 
 
Three new additions to the $99 JHS Pedals range: Glitch Delay, Bit Crusher and Ring Modulator – all compact stompboxes with white enclosures and three knobs
Guitars Meet the $99 stompbox that’ll crush your bits – JHS expands its affordable 3 Series with three exotic effects for your pedalboard
 
 
Latest in News
O'Flynn in the studio
Tech 5 things we learned in the studio with O'Flynn
 
 
Mike D head shot
Singers & Songwriters Mike D of the Beastie Boys breaks silence with debut solo single, Switch Up
 
 
Native Instruments InMusic
Tech InMusic confirms Native Instruments acquisition, bringing it under the same ownership as Moog and Akai Pro
 
 
Korg
Mixers Korg sneakily launches a new effects-packed performance mixer, the NTS-4, at Superbooth
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: Just in time for Mother's Day, we've found $700 off an unusual Gibson, $500 off a stunning Ibanez Prestige AZ2204, plus heavy savings on recording and live gear
 
 
Jared James Nichols plays his Gibson Futura on a stage lit up in red-pink.
Artists “I felt like I was levitating off the ground. I felt like I was in Cream in 1968”: Jared James Nichols on why he switched to Marshall amps
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...