Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
  • Guitars
  • Amps
  • Pedals
  • Drums
  • Synths
  • Software
  • Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Recording
  • Buyer’s guides
  • Live
  • DJ
  • Advice
  • Acoustic
  • Bass
  • About us
  • More
    • Reviews
Magazines
  • Computer Music
  • Electronic Musician
  • Future Music
  • Keyboard Magazine
  • Guitarist
  • Guitar Techniques
  • Total Guitar
  • Bass Player
More
  • How to make an AI cover song
  • 84000+ free music samples
  • Foo Fighters' new drummer
  • Ken Scott on recording The Beatles
  • First EVH Jump synth recording

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

  1. Home
  2. News

NAMM 2017: Fender Custom Shop stand - in pictures

By Matt Parker
published 19 January 2017

One-off Fender, Jackson, Charvel and Gretsch guitars

Introduction

Introduction

NAMM 2017: The Fender Custom Shop's showcase is always one of the highlights of the Winter NAMM event. We got in early to bring you a first look at some of the extraordinary guitars from Fender, Jackson, Charvel and Gretsch's master builders.

These instruments – the no-holds-barred products of the minds of Yuriy Shishkov, Todd Krause, John Cruz, Dale Wilson, 'Red' Dave Nichols and Greg Fessler, to name a few – will eventually wing their way to high-end guitar dealers and collectors around the world, but this is a rare chance to see the collected output of the Big F's most talented luthiers.

Browse the gallery to view the pictures and specifications of a selection of these Custom Shop instruments.

Page 1 of 51
Page 1 of 51
#2002 Weiner Dog Strat NOS

#2002 Weiner Dog Strat NOS

  • Master built by Todd Krause
  • NOS 2-piece alder body
  • Custom artwork by Sarah Gallenberger
  • Tinted riff-sawn maple neck
Page 2 of 51
Page 2 of 51
#563 1924 Grand Prix Strat Closet Classic

#563 1924 Grand Prix Strat Closet Classic

  • Master built by Yuriy Shishkov
  • Custom Grand Prix paint job
  • Includes limited edition Bugatti Type 35 model
  • Select alder body
Page 3 of 51
Page 3 of 51
#527 1968 Thinline Tele Journeyman Relic

#527 1968 Thinline Tele Journeyman Relic

  • Journeyman Relic Lacquer Lake Place Blue finish
  • Select alder body
  • Quarter-sawn maple neck
Page 4 of 51
Page 4 of 51
#116 2017 Artisan Jazzmaster

#116 2017 Artisan Jazzmaster

  • Natural Tasmanian Blackwood fretboard
  • AAA Birdseye maple neck
  • Hand-wound Vintage Jazzmaster pickups
Page 5 of 51
Page 5 of 51
#101 2017 Artisan Strat

#101 2017 Artisan Strat

  • Natural spalted maple
  • AAA Birdseye maple neck
  • Hand-wound 60/63 pickups with RWRP (reverse-wound, reverse-polarity) middle
Page 6 of 51
Page 6 of 51
#095 Journeyman Relic Bass VI

#095 Journeyman Relic Bass VI

  • Aged Shell Pink
  • Custom Shop Vintage pickups
  • Journeyman Relic Lacquer finish
Page 7 of 51
Page 7 of 51
#1001 2017 Prestige Frosted DUCO Strat

#1001 2017 Prestige Frosted DUCO Strat

  • Master built by Scott Buehl
  • Frosted DUCO finish, select alder body
  • Quartersawn maple neck
  • Abigail Ybarra (Abby) hand-wound pickups
Page 8 of 51
Page 8 of 51
#2005 Custom Cabronita NOS

#2005 Custom Cabronita NOS

  • Master built by Yuriy Shishkov
  • Blue Agave NOS lacquer with WOLS undercoat
  • 2-piece ash body
  • TV Jones Powertron neck and bridge pickups, RWRP 1969 Stratocaster pickup
Page 9 of 51
Page 9 of 51
#558 Katana Black and White Dot

#558 Katana Black and White Dot

  • Master built by Todd Krause
  • NOS urethene finish
  • Rift-cut maple neck
Page 10 of 51
Page 10 of 51
#1000 2017 Prestige Studioliner

#1000 2017 Prestige Studioliner

  • Master built by Yuriy Shishkov
  • Roasted alder body
  • Engraved enamelled silver artwork
  • 423 diamonds set in body top
  • 462 diamonds in body back
  • Ruby side dots, 115 diamonds set in neck
  • Lawrence Mini Hum pickups
  • 4A Birdseye maple neck
Page 11 of 51
Page 11 of 51
#542 Irish Roots Tele Relic

#542 Irish Roots Tele Relic

  • Master built by John Cruz
  • 200 year old pine body with relic oil finish
  • Roaster quartersawn maple neck
  • African Blackwood fretboard
Page 12 of 51
Page 12 of 51
#560 1956 Strat Relic

#560 1956 Strat Relic

  • Master built by Todd Krause
  • Aged Olympic White relic lacquer finish
  • Alder body
Page 13 of 51
Page 13 of 51
#561 1969 Tele NOS PF Artwork

#561 1969 Tele NOS PF Artwork

  • Master built by Todd Krause. Foil 'Spirit' Paisley by Paul Frank. Fretboard inlay by Ron Thorn
  • Curtis Novak neck pickup
  • Early 60s vintage hardware
Page 14 of 51
Page 14 of 51
#520 Psychedelic Poster Art Tele

#520 Psychedelic Poster Art Tele

  • Master built by Dale Wilson, artwork by Madison Roy
  • NOS urethene finish
  • Alder body, 3A flame maple neck
Page 15 of 51
Page 15 of 51
#536 Hand-painted Paisley Strat

#536 Hand-painted Paisley Strat

  • Master built by Greg Fessler. Artwork by Sarah Gallenberger
  • Lightweight alder body
  • Custom '64 Strat neck
Page 16 of 51
Page 16 of 51
#519 Psychedelic Poster Art Strat

#519 Psychedelic Poster Art Strat

  • Master built by Dale Wilson. Artwork by Madison Roy
  • NOS lacquer finish
  • 3A flame neck with maple cap
Page 17 of 51
Page 17 of 51
#276 1960s Heavy Relic/Compound Radius Telecaster

#276 1960s Heavy Relic/Compound Radius Telecaster

  • NAMM Limited Edition
  • Sea Foam Sparkle, Heavy Relic lacquer
  • AA flame maple neck
  • Hand-wound Twisted Tele pickups
Page 18 of 51
Page 18 of 51
#535 Hand-painted Paisley Tele

#535 Hand-painted Paisley Tele

  • Master built by Greg Fessler. Artwork by Sarah Gallenberger
  • NOS lacquer finish
  • Hand-wound '51 Nocaster pickups
Page 19 of 51
Page 19 of 51
#518 Filigree Sun Strat

#518 Filigree Sun Strat

  • Master built by Dale Wilson. Artwork by Pamelina H.
  • Roasted ash body
  • 4A flame maple neck
Page 20 of 51
Page 20 of 51
#562 Copper Sparkle Tele

#562 Copper Sparkle Tele

  • Master built by Yuriy Shishkov
  • Urethene finish
  • Broadcaster bridge pickup, Seymour Duncan '59 neck pickup
Page 21 of 51
Page 21 of 51
#550 30th Anniversary P-Bass NOS

#550 30th Anniversary P-Bass NOS

  • Master built by Jason Smith
  • Tinted 3A Birdseye maple
  • Pearl White polyurethane finish
Page 22 of 51
Page 22 of 51
#505 New American Classic Tele

#505 New American Classic Tele

  • Master built by Dale Wilson
  • NOS lacquer Stratosphere Blue Sparkle finish
  • Alder body
  • Checkerboard top binding
Page 23 of 51
Page 23 of 51
#529 Thunderbird Tele Relic

#529 Thunderbird Tele Relic

  • Master built by Greg Fessler. Artwork by Dave Newman
  • Relic lacquer finish
  • Select ash body
Page 24 of 51
Page 24 of 51
#504 1969 Bubble Strat

#504 1969 Bubble Strat

  • Master built by Dennis Galuzska
  • NOS urethane Black over Silver Sparkle finish
  • One piece WLS quartersawn maple neck
Page 25 of 51
Page 25 of 51
#549 30th Anniversary Sparkle Strat

#549 30th Anniversary Sparkle Strat

  • Master built by Jason Smith
  • NOS sparkle polyurethane finish
  • Select alder body
Page 26 of 51
Page 26 of 51
#541 Cherry Blossom Strat

#541 Cherry Blossom Strat

  • Master built by John Cruz. Graphics by Pamelina H. Inlay by Thorn Custom
  • NOS urethane finish
  • Lightweight alder body
Page 27 of 51
Page 27 of 51
#547 Charcoal Frost Strat

#547 Charcoal Frost Strat

  • Master built by Jason Smith
  • WLS satin finish
  • One-piece 2A flame maple neck
Page 28 of 51
Page 28 of 51
#554 1960s Paisley Tele Journeyman Relic

#554 1960s Paisley Tele Journeyman Relic

  • Master built by Paul Waller
  • Lacquer finish
  • 3A flame maple neck
Page 29 of 51
Page 29 of 51
#528 Smokin' Good Strat

#528 Smokin' Good Strat

  • Master built by Greg Fessler. Artwork by Dave Newman
  • Relic lacquer finish
  • Select alder body
Page 30 of 51
Page 30 of 51
#509 1951 Paisley Precision Bass

#509 1951 Paisley Precision Bass

  • Master built by Dale Wilson. Artwork by Sarah Gallenberger
  • NOS urethane finish
  • Two-piece ash body
Page 31 of 51
Page 31 of 51
#540 Med. Mermaid Strat

#540 Med. Mermaid Strat

  • Master built by John Cruz. Artwork by Pamelina H.
  • NOS urethane finish
  • Lightweight alder body
Page 32 of 51
Page 32 of 51
#500 & #501 Old Ironsides Champ 120Vs

#500 & #501 Old Ironsides Champ 120Vs

  • Master built by Shawn Greene and Jim Dolmage
  • Cabinet fashioned from centuries-old oak planking from U.S.S. Constitution
  • Distinctive dock-cleat and rope handle
  • Brass top panel and control knobs
Page 33 of 51
Page 33 of 51
#1002 2017 Prestige Jazzmaster

#1002 2017 Prestige Jazzmaster

  • Master built by Dennis Galuzska. Custom flame art by Brian Bock
  • NOS urethan finish
  • Two-piece alder body
Page 34 of 51
Page 34 of 51
Gretsch Custom Shop G6131MY-CS Malcolm Young 'Salute' Jet

Gretsch Custom Shop G6131MY-CS Malcolm Young 'Salute' Jet

  • Master built by Stephen Stern
  • Limited to 40 pieces worldwide
  • Distressed lacquer finish
  • Chambered mahogany body
Page 35 of 51
Page 35 of 51
#600 Jackson F-Bird Black

#600 Jackson F-Bird Black

  • Master built by Mike Shannon and Pat McGarry
  • Quartersawn maple neck-thru-alder body
  • Seymour Duncan pickups
Page 36 of 51
Page 36 of 51
#601 Jackson F-Bird Mahogany

#601 Jackson F-Bird Mahogany

  • Master built by Mike Shannon
  • Quartersawn maple neck-thru mahogany body
  • Reversed pearl sharkfin inlay
Page 37 of 51
Page 37 of 51
#606 Jackson Soloist Relic PG Surf Green

#606 Jackson Soloist Relic PG Surf Green

  • Master built by Joe Williams
  • Relic nitro lacquer finish
  • Quartersawn maple neck-thru alder body
Page 38 of 51
Page 38 of 51
#607 Jackson Soloist Fan Fret 7-String Walnut Top

#607 Jackson Soloist Fan Fret 7-String Walnut Top

  • Master built by Joe Williams
  • Premium ash body with claro walnut top
  • Birdseye maple fingerboard
Page 39 of 51
Page 39 of 51
#608 Jackson White Monarkh

#608 Jackson White Monarkh

  • Master built by Mike Shannon
  • Quartersawn maple neck-thru alder body
  • Original Floyd Rose top mount bridge
Page 40 of 51
Page 40 of 51
#609 Jackson Black Monarkh

#609 Jackson Black Monarkh

  • Master built by Mike Shannon
  • Mahogany neck-thru mahogany body
  • Seymour Duncan SH4 and SH1 pickups
Page 41 of 51
Page 41 of 51
#611 Jackson B7 Hard Tail Quilt Top Chlorine

#611 Jackson B7 Hard Tail Quilt Top Chlorine

  • Quartersawn maple neck
  • Ebony fingerboard
Page 42 of 51
Page 42 of 51
#612 Jackson Roswell Alien Wreck

#612 Jackson Roswell Alien Wreck

  • Poplar body
  • Ebony fingerboard
  • Quartersawn maple neck
Page 43 of 51
Page 43 of 51
#615 X-Stroyer Vanilla Shake

#615 X-Stroyer Vanilla Shake

  • Master built by Mike Shannon
  • Mahogany maple neck-thru mahogany body
  • Ebony fingerboard
Page 44 of 51
Page 44 of 51
#616 Jackson Dinky Zombie Zoo

#616 Jackson Dinky Zombie Zoo

  • Custom-painted by Brian Bock
  • Ash body
  • Ebony fingerboard
Page 45 of 51
Page 45 of 51
#708 Jackson San Dimas Big Mouth

#708 Jackson San Dimas Big Mouth

  • Master built by 'Red' Dave Nichols
  • Alder body
  • Seymour Duncan pickups
Page 46 of 51
Page 46 of 51
#707 Jackson Style 2 Cherry Burst

#707 Jackson Style 2 Cherry Burst

  • Master built by 'Red' Dave Nichols
  • Ash body
  • DiMarzio Chopper pickups
  • Caramelized flame maple neck
Page 47 of 51
Page 47 of 51
#706 Charvel Surfcaster Dart Swinger Brown

#706 Charvel Surfcaster Dart Swinger Brown

  • Master built by 'Red' Dave Nichols
  • Alder body
  • Quartersawn maple neck
Page 48 of 51
Page 48 of 51
#710 Charvel San Dimas HSH Sandblast

#710 Charvel San Dimas HSH Sandblast

  • Master built by 'Red' Dave Nichols
  • Sandblasted ash body with satin grainfill finish
  • Floyd Rose Lo Pro bridge
Page 49 of 51
Page 49 of 51
#711 Charvel San Dimas Sandblast

#711 Charvel San Dimas Sandblast

  • Master built by 'Red' Dave Nichols
  • Sandblasted ash body with satin grainfill finish
  • Bare Knuckle Holy Diver pickups
Page 50 of 51
Page 50 of 51
#700 Charvel So-Cal Scallop Relic Black

#700 Charvel So-Cal Scallop Relic Black

  • Master built by 'Red' Dave Nichols
  • Relic lacquer finish
  • Scallop fingerboard
Page 51 of 51
Page 51 of 51
Matt Parker
Matt Parker
Social Links Navigation

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.

More about guitars
Epiphone Emily Wolfe Sheraton Stealth

Emily Wolfe and Epiphone team up for the classy 'White Wolfe' signature Sheraton, finished in Aged Bone White

Bernth

What’s wrong with modern metal guitar? This guitarist explains all in a two-and-a-half-minute song

Latest
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple

PRS expands its John Mayer signature SE Silver Sky lineup with new maple fretboard options and fresh finishes

See more latest ►
Most Popular
Should musicians be goggle-eyed for Apple’s new 15-inch MacBook Air, Mac Studio and Mac Pro?

By Ben Rogerson6 June 2023

Best Fender amps 2023: From all-tube classics to cutting edge modelling options

By Richard Blenkinsop6 June 2023

5 of the best free guitar amp simulator plugins

By "OSC" Steve6 June 2023

Watch a teenage Josh Freese appear in a promo video for Simmons electronic drums

By Stuart Williams5 June 2023

Danny Carey reveals the Tool songs he finds most difficult to play live

By Stuart Williams5 June 2023

How Kylie Minogue’s Can’t Get You Out Of My Head was written in a couple of hours and took most of its sounds from the Korg Triton

By Ben Rogerson5 June 2023

Score significant savings on Strats, Teles, Jaguars and Mustangs as Thomann slashes the price of popular Squier models

By Daryl Robertson5 June 2023

10 of the best new free plugins we discovered this month

By Matt Mullen5 June 2023

Choose a genre and BPM and this online DAW will use AI to make a complete track for you

By Ben Rogerson5 June 2023

Watch Noel Gallagher use a Fender Strat for High Flying Birds’ “blasphemous” cover of Joy Division’s Love Will Tear Us Apart

By Jonathan Horsley2 June 2023

Ben Folds names the only album on which Elton John is “represented as a piano player”

By Ben Rogerson2 June 2023

  1. plugins
    1
    10 of the best new free plugins we discovered this month
  2. 2
    Is Dave Grohl’s new Epiphone DG-335… Gold?
  3. 3
    Score significant savings on Strats, Teles, Jaguars and Mustangs as Thomann slashes the price of popular Squier models
  4. 4
    Behringer launches the Moog-esque Edge and Spice synths and hits back at “all the critics who claim that we’re driven by profit”
  5. 5
    Propellerhead’s ReBirth is reborn as a hands-on hardware synth, and it’s all thanks to Look Mum No Computer
  1. jon hopkins
    1
    Jon Hopkins spent 4 months perfecting the synth riff for Open Eye Signal on a 1979 Korg MS-20: “So much effort into trying to make something sound effortless”
  2. 2
    10 of the best new free plugins we discovered this month
  3. 3
    Watch Noel Gallagher use a Fender Strat for High Flying Birds’ “blasphemous” cover of Joy Division’s Love Will Tear Us Apart
  4. 4
    Score significant savings on Strats, Teles, Jaguars and Mustangs as Thomann slashes the price of popular Squier models
  5. 5
    Propellerhead’s ReBirth is reborn as a hands-on hardware synth, and it’s all thanks to Look Mum No Computer

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

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

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