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
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Christine McVie's masterpiece
  • Macca vs Phil Collins
  • Music theory tricks
  • Kiss From a Rose
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Yes
  1. Guitars

NAMM 2016: Fender Custom Shop stand - in pictures

News
By Guitarist, Total Guitar
Published 21 January 2016

The unbelievable, unattainable and unhinged...

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

Introduction

Introduction

NAMM 2016: The Fender Custom Shop stand is always one of the highlights of the NAMM show. This year has proved no exception with stained glass, sparkle and 'smuggler' takes on Strats, Teles and Jazzes.

From a cardboard Strat finish, a 'long Jag' and even a wood-clad, glow-in-the-dark Deluxe amp, the Custom Shop crew have let their imaginations run wild for the 2016 show.

It seems these guitars barely touch the show floor, before discerning dealers the world over snap them up, tucking order papers under the strings of the guitars they hope to re-home.

Browse the gallery to take a look at the Custom Shop stand...

Page 1 of 26
Page 1 of 26
Smokin' Gun Stratocaster

Smokin' Gun Stratocaster

Master-built by John Cruz, featuring a two-piece mahogany body and quartersawn maple neck.

Page 2 of 26
Page 2 of 26
Claro Walnut Bass

Claro Walnut Bass

Master-built by Jason Smith. A one-of-a-kind design, putting the walnut to fine use and producing an "edgy, aggressive rock bass tone".

Page 3 of 26
Page 3 of 26
1969 Rosewood Strat with Flame Maple Top

1969 Rosewood Strat with Flame Maple Top

Master-built by Greg Fessler. Sports an eye-catching AAAA flame maple top, completed with '69 Custom Shop single-coils and gold hardware.

Page 4 of 26
Page 4 of 26
Katana

Katana

Master-built by Todd Krause. The controversial body shape is revived, complete with handwound pickups and 'Mango Tango' finish.

Page 5 of 26
Page 5 of 26
Stained Glass Telecaster

Stained Glass Telecaster

Master-built by Dale Wilson. This heavenly Tele (depending on your tastes) conceals a section of LED light panels that illuminate the guitar's multi-tiered body.

Page 6 of 26
Page 6 of 26
Dragon Skin Telecaster

Dragon Skin Telecaster

Master-built by John Cruz. A truly opulent-looking creation, the Dragon Skin is covered in a colourful and highly reflective material. One for Skyrim fans...

Page 7 of 26
Page 7 of 26
Cardboard Stratocaster

Cardboard Stratocaster

Master-built by Paul Waller. Not just a clever finish, the entire body has been constructed from cardboard, which reportedly made assembly something of a headache...

Page 8 of 26
Page 8 of 26
The Long Jag

The Long Jag

Master-built by Scott Buehl. The Long Jag stretches a traditionally short-scale model over a 25.5" scale by expanding the pickguard.

Page 9 of 26
Page 9 of 26
'66 Blue Moto P Bass

'66 Blue Moto P Bass

Master-built by Dennis Galuszka. The Moto P Bass is vintage-accurate, celebrating the Slab P Bass' 50th anniversary with a rather special finish.

Page 10 of 26
Page 10 of 26
15,000 Volt Relic Telecaster

15,000 Volt Relic Telecaster

Master-built by Dennis Galuszka. The 15,000 Volt Relic Tele combines a mahogany body with 'electrical artwork burns' to create a unique finish.

Page 11 of 26
Page 11 of 26
Psychedelic Stratocaster

Psychedelic Stratocaster

Master-built by John Cruz. The Psych Strat shows off two finish techniques, marrying chameleon paint with Fender-tweaked paisley graphics.

Page 12 of 26
Page 12 of 26
Frosted Duco Stratocater

Frosted Duco Stratocater

Master-built by Scott Buehl. Featuring Josefina hand-wound Fat 50s pickups.

Page 13 of 26
Page 13 of 26
AAAA Quilt Maple Top Stratocaster

AAAA Quilt Maple Top Stratocaster

Master-built by Yuriy Shishkov. This Strat, finished in Sapphire Blue Trans, is all about fine maple, pairing a AAA flame maple neck, with the AAAA quilt maple top.

Page 14 of 26
Page 14 of 26
"Cypress Glow" Amp

"Cypress Glow" Amp

Hand-built by Shawn Greene and Jim Dolmage. Made from a reclaimed Pecky Cypress cabinet, the natural gaps in the grain of the cabinet have been filled with a glow-in-the-dark resin. A modded Fender '57 Deluxe circuit dwells beneath the surface.

Page 15 of 26
Page 15 of 26
LTD 50s Journeyman Relic Telecaster

LTD 50s Journeyman Relic Telecaster

Custom-built. Featuring AAA flame maple neck, hand-wound pickups and a laquer finish, dubbed Magenta Sparkle.

Page 16 of 26
Page 16 of 26
LTD 1967 Closet Class Smugglers Telecaster

LTD 1967 Closet Class Smugglers Telecaster

This guitar is so-named for the built-in 'smuggler's cavity'. This is probably the best possible image to come to mind when you hear that phrase.

Page 17 of 26
Page 17 of 26
LTD 60s Bound Neck Heavy Relic Stratocaster

LTD 60s Bound Neck Heavy Relic Stratocaster

Custom-built for NAMM only, this is Heavy Relic Strat showcases the Custom Shop's two-colour finish, laying Lake Placid Blue over 3-Tone Sunburst.

Page 18 of 26
Page 18 of 26
LTD Heavy Relic Caballo Tono Ligero

LTD Heavy Relic Caballo Tono Ligero

This Caballo Tono Ligero oozes faded glamour and comes equipped with a hand-wound Red Hot bridge pickup and Champagne Sparkle finish.

Page 19 of 26
Page 19 of 26
LTD 1958 Closet Classic Jazzmaster

LTD 1958 Closet Classic Jazzmaster

Finished in Desert Sand, this highly-desirable Jazz with hand-wound pickups feels almost restrained next to the rest of its Custom Shop brethren.

Page 20 of 26
Page 20 of 26
Jawbreaker Stratocaster

Jawbreaker Stratocaster

Master-built by Dale Wilson. Features an NOS lacquer finish with "15 different swirly, twirly colours".

Page 21 of 26
Page 21 of 26
NOS 5A Quilt Top Telecaster

NOS 5A Quilt Top Telecaster

Master-built by Dennis Galuszka. Combines an ash body and a stunning 5A quilt maple top.

Page 22 of 26
Page 22 of 26
George Harrison Rosewood Telecaster

George Harrison Rosewood Telecaster

A reassuringly small run signature model, just 100 will be constructed by Master Builder Paul Waller. This guitar is spec'd on George Harrison's original 1968 Telecaster and features pickups hand-wound by Abigail Ybarra.

Page 23 of 26
Page 23 of 26
1968 Closet Classic Stratocaster

1968 Closet Classic Stratocaster

Master-built by Greg Fessler. Featuring a slab alder body and Zebrawood top and back.

Page 24 of 26
Page 24 of 26
Artisan Telecaster

Artisan Telecaster

Features a spalted maple top with amber-tinted lacquer finish, plus a AAA birdseye maple neck.

Page 25 of 26
Page 25 of 26
LTD 1957 Heavy Relic Stratocaster

LTD 1957 Heavy Relic Stratocaster

Custom-built for NAMM only, this is another example of the Custom Shop's 'color on color' finish. This time it's black over pink paisley.

Page 26 of 26
Page 26 of 26
Total Guitar
Total Guitar
Social Links Navigation

Total Guitar is Europe's best-selling guitar magazine.

Every month we feature interviews with the biggest names and hottest new acts in guitar land, plus Guest Lessons from the stars.

Finally, our Rocked & Rated section is the place to go for reviews, round-ups and help setting up your guitars and gear.

Subscribe: http://bit.ly/totalguitar

Read more
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up June 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s epic guitar gear round-up: June ’26 edit, ft. EHX, PRS, Fender’s mega-launch and more
 
 
Fender American Vintage II 2026 refresh
Guitars Fender refreshes the American Vintage II lineup with classic finishes from the paint room
 
 
Fender Jim Root Telecaster Shoreline Gold
Artists Jim Root’s made-for-metal Fender Telecaster gets a makeover with a custom finish from the golden era
 
 
The Gibson Custom Historic Reissue 1959 and 1962 ES-330
Guitars Gibson unveils exquisite Custom Shop Historic Reissues of the 1959 and ’62 ES-330s
 
 
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up July 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s July 2026 guitar gear roundup: featuring Orange Amps, Harley Benton, Epiphone and more
 
 
Gibson Custom VOS Reissue 1971 Flying V Medallion
Guitars Gibson unveils Custom Shop reissue of a Michael Schenker and Kirk Hammett favourite
 
 
Latest in Guitars
Crazy Tube Circuits White Whale Junior
Guitar Pedals Crazy Tube Circuits White Whale Junior review
 
 
EarthQuaker Devices Towers
Guitar Pedals “An excellent example of the genre’s shifting atmospheric soundscapes”: EarthQuaker Devices Towers review
 
 
Simon & Garfunkel perform on Ready Steady Go in 1966
Artists The melancholy classic that made Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel the world’s hottest songwriting duo
 
 
Gretsch G6134T-58 Limited Edition Penguin Pale Blue Pearl
Guitars Gretsch unveils a high-end dream machine: a Penguin refreshed in limited run Pale Blue Pearl finish
 
 
Jam Pedals Tiny Amp Destroyer
Artists Stu Mackenzie and Jam Pedals team up to bring you the secret behind his KGWL guitar tone
 
 
Warm Audio Dirty Boy Jr Booster
Guitar Pedals “It starts out polite but then gets loud, dirty and nasty”: Warm Audio Dirty Boy Jr Booster review
 
 
Latest in News
Donna Lewis Bei "Rsh Gold Verleihung" In Kiel 010297 . (Photo by Franziska Krug/Getty Images)
Artists How going back to her Korg M1 demo helped Donna Lewis to create one of the biggest US hits of 1996
 
 
Aston Origin deal
Microphones I've recorded everything from vocals to guitars with this unbelievably versatile mic – and it just plummeted to only $79. That's so cheap I had to check the price twice
 
 
Human brain listens to yellow headphones isolated view on blue background 3d render image
Artists Where's your head at? It's MusicRadar's Quiz of the Week #18!
 
 
Ariana Grande live looper
Artists Ariana Grande’s live looping moment on her Eternal Sunshine tour isn't her first
 
 
wrist sequencer
Tech Someone put a chiptune synth and 16-step sequencer in a watch - and it looks as bonkers as it sounds
 
 
Jack White and Charley Crockett composite image
Singers & Songwriters “You get in the Lamborghini and put your kids in private school”: Charlie Crockett gets personal with Jack White
 
 

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...