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
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
More
  • "The most expensive bit of drumming in history”
  • JoBo x Fuchs
  • Radiohead Daydreaming
  • Vanilla Fudge
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Guitars
  2. Acoustic Guitars

NAMM 2103: Fender launches Acoustic Custom Shop

News
By Rob Power published 23 January 2013

Newporter returns alongside new Kingman models

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

Fender launches Acoustic Custom Shop

Fender launches Acoustic Custom Shop

NAMM 2013: Fender has launched a new Connecticut-based Acoustic Custom Shop with new new rangers, the Pro Custom Series and the Collector Custom Series.

The new models include the distinctive Pro Custom Kingman "C" Antigua Burst and the Pro Custom Classic Koa Auditorium Cutaway, as well as a welcome return for the Pro Custom Newporter.

Read on for full specs on all the new models, and visit the official Fender website for more information.

Fender press release

At the new Fender Acoustic Custom Shop in Connecticut, Fender's finest luthiers have dedicated themselves to creating acoustic guitars that blend the best of modern Fender design with outstanding instrumental artistry generations in the making. Built with the best materials, techniques and traditions, Fender Acoustic Custom Shop instruments ring true with discerning players everywhere as U.S.-made instruments of tonal excellence, striking design, superb playability and loads of distinctive Fender personality.

Fender introduced a welcome shot of youthful West Coast energy and innovation to the acoustic guitar world more than half a century ago. Today, the Fender Acoustic Custom Shop stakes an exciting new high-end claim amid the establishment, with a well-crafted collection offering both bold and traditional instruments. Combining exceptional features and workmanship with Fender style and innovation, each Fender Acoustic Custom Shop guitar is a pleasure to play and an instrument to prize.

Page 1 of 13
Page 1 of 13
Pro Custom Kingman "C" Antigua Burst

Pro Custom Kingman "C" Antigua Burst

Fender press release

The stunning new limited edition Kingman C USA Antigua Burst cutaway dreadnought model resurrects Fender's classic and highly distinctive Antigua finish of the mid-1960s. Built in the United States by the skilled craftsmen of Fender's state-of-the-art workshop in New Hartford, Conn., it also boasts a solid Engelmann spruce top with forward-shifted scalloped X bracing and elegant checkerboard rosette, solid mahogany back and sides, and aged white neck and body binding.

Page 2 of 13
Page 2 of 13
Pro Custom Kingman "C" Antigua Burst

Pro Custom Kingman "C" Antigua Burst

Fender press release (cont.)

This special model presents the original Antigua finish, which was a "burst"-type finish that graduated from brown to off-white.

Page 3 of 13
Page 3 of 13
Pro Custom Kingman "C" Antigua Burst

Pro Custom Kingman "C" Antigua Burst

Fender press release (cont.)

Other premium features include a one-piece maple neck with a vintage-style "C"-shaped profile and Stratocaster® headstock, 20-fret rosewood fingerboard with 9" radius and comfortably rolled edges, rosewood bridge with bone saddle and black-dot bone pins, Fishman® Matrix™ Infinity pickup/preamp system with volume and tone controls, and lacquer finish. Special limited edition run of 75 instruments.

Page 4 of 13
Page 4 of 13
Pro Custom Kingman "C" Antigua Burst specs

Pro Custom Kingman "C" Antigua Burst specs

Fender Pro Custom Kingman "C" Antigua Burst specs

Body Shape: Dreadnought

Body Back: Solid Mahogany

Body Sides: Solid Mahogany

Body Top: Solid Engelmann Spruce

Bracing: Forward Shifted Scalloped X

Rosette: Checkerboard

Body Binding: Ivoroid

Neck Shape: Vintage "C"

Number of Frets: 20

Position Inlays: Block

Fingerboard Radius: 9" (22.9 cm)

Fingerboard: Rosewood

Neck Material:
1-Piece Maple

Nut Width: 1.7" (43.2 mm)

Scale Length: 25.625" (65.09 cm)

Headstock: Stratocaster® Headstock

Neck Binding: Aged White

Truss Rods: Dual-Action

Special Electronics: Fishman® Matrix™ Infinity Pickup System

Controls: Volume, Tone

Hardware Finish: Nickel

Bridge: Rosewood

String Nut: Bone

Tuning Machines: Vintage Fender® Style, Nickel

Page 5 of 13
Page 5 of 13
Pro Custom Classic Koa Auditorium Cutaway

Pro Custom Classic Koa Auditorium Cutaway

Fender press release

Fender is proud to introduce the new limited-edition U.S.A. Select Classic Koa Auditorium Cutaway - a U.S.-made, finely crafted auditorium-style acoustic with a tropical touch that produces the tonal characteristics of a dreadnought in a model with a smaller cutaway body.

Page 6 of 13
Page 6 of 13
Pro Custom Classic Koa Auditorium Cutaway

Pro Custom Classic Koa Auditorium Cutaway

Fender press release cont.

Ideal for flatpickers, the guitar’s top, back and sides are beautifully fashioned from solid “AA”-grade Hawaiian koa with a gloss lacquer finish for bright, responsive and dynamic tone.

Page 7 of 13
Page 7 of 13
Pro Custom Classic Koa Auditorium Cutaway

Pro Custom Classic Koa Auditorium Cutaway

Fender press release (cont.)

Other features include scalloped X bracing, aged Ivoroid neck and body binding, abalone rosette, mahogany neck with soft "V" shape and dual-action truss rod, 20-fret ebony fingerboard with bone nut and block inlays, ebony bridge with bone saddle, bone bridge pins with abalone dots, gold hardware and tuners, and Fishman® Matrix™ Infinity pickup and electronics. Limited-edition series of 150 instruments.

Page 8 of 13
Page 8 of 13
Pro Custom Classic Koa Auditorium Cutaway specs

Pro Custom Classic Koa Auditorium Cutaway specs

Fender Pro Custom Classic Koa Auditorium Cutaway Specs

Body Shape: Auditorium

Body Back: Solid "AA" Hawaiian Koa

Body Sides: Solid "AA" Hawaiian Koa

Body Top: Solid "AA" Hawaiian Koa

Bracing: Scalloped X

Rosette: Abalone

Body Binding: Ivoroid

Neck Shape: Soft "V"

Number of Frets: 20

Position Inlays: Block

Fingerboard Radius: 12" (305 mm)

Fingerboard: Ebony

Neck Material: Mahogany

Nut Width: 1.7" (43.2 mm)

Scale Length: 25.625" (65.09 cm)

Neck Binding: Ivoroid

Truss Rods: Dual-Action

Special Electronics: Fishman® Matrix™ Infinity Pickup System

Controls: Volume, Tone

Hardware Finish: Gold

Bridge: Ebony

String Nut: Bone

Tuning Machines: Die-Cast Gold

Page 9 of 13
Page 9 of 13
Pro Custom Kingman C

Pro Custom Kingman C

Fender press release

With a nod to the Fender Custom Shop in California, the new limited edition U.S.A. Select Kingman C dreadnought is a wonder to behold - let alone play - with beautifully resonant tone and beautifully elegant design distinguished by a Fiesta Red gloss finish, aged white body and neck binding, and vintage-style appointments.

Page 10 of 13
Page 10 of 13
Pro Custom Kingman C

Pro Custom Kingman C

Fender press release cont.

Premium features include a solid Engelmann spruce top with forward-shifting scalloped X bracing and solid mahogany back and sides for unbelievably rich tone; vintage C-shaped maple neck with rolled edges, dual-action truss rod and Stratocaster® headstock shape; 9”-radius rosewood fingerboard with bone nut and 20 frets, stylish checkerboard rosette and three-ply pickguard (white-black-white); rosewood bridge with black-dot bone pins and bone saddle; vintage-style nickel tuners and hardware; and Fishman® Matrix™ Infinity electronics for crystal-clear amplified sound. Accessories include shaped deluxe hardshell Tolex case, deluxe leather strap and certificate of authenticity. Limited to 150 instruments.

Page 11 of 13
Page 11 of 13
Pro Custom Kingman C specs

Pro Custom Kingman C specs

Fender Pro Custom Kingman C Specs

Body Shape: Dreadnought
Body Back: Solid Mahogany
Body Sides: Solid Mahogany
Body Top: Solid Engelmann Spruce
Bracing: Forward Shifted Scalloped X
Rosette: Checkerboard
Body Binding: Aged White
Neck Shape: Vintage "C"
Number of Frets: 20
Position Inlays: Dot
Fingerboard Radius: 9" (22.9 cm)
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Neck Material: Maple
Nut Width: 1.7" (43.2 mm)
Scale Length: 25.625" (65.09 cm)
Headstock: Stratocaster® Headstock
Neck Binding: Aged White
Truss Rods: Dual-Action
Special Electronics: Fishman® Matrix™ Infinity Pickup System
Controls: Volume, Tone
Hardware Finish:Nickel
Bridge: Rosewood
String Nut: Bone
Tuning Machines: Vintage Fender® Style, Nickel

Page 12 of 13
Page 12 of 13
Pro Custom Newporter

Pro Custom Newporter

Fender press release

The Newporter is back! Limited Edition to 150 pieces worldwide, the Newporter is an all solid mahogany orhestra shape body tone machine that will have you reminsicing about the fun and sun '60's fender acoustics but built in our New Hartford workshop with stunning detail and craftsmanship. Other features include, gold pickguard, "viking" style bridge, lacquer finish, Fishman pickup system, and maple neck with Stratocaster® headstock.

Page 13 of 13
Page 13 of 13
Rob Power
Latest in Acoustic Guitars
Paul McCartney points to the crowd and raises an eyebrow as he performs with his iconic Höfner Violin Bass
Paul McCartney's favourite bass company is in trouble – Höfner's future uncertain as it files provisional insolvency proceedings
 
 
The Spice Girls
Greg Lester on how he crafted the classic nylon-string guitar solo in the Spice Girls’ 2 Become 1
 
 
Harley Benton Custom Line King-12CE NT: the cutaway jumbo 12-string features an all-maple build, gold hardware and Fishman electronics
Harley Benton unveils Custom Line jumbo 12-string with a $350 price tag that’s for the Byrds
 
 
 (L-R): Fher Olvera (Mana), Cesar Gueikian (Gibson CEO) playing the Gibson Flying V Custom CEO#8, and Sergio Vallin (Mana), performing onstage with Mana at Bridgestone Arena.
Cesar Gueikian on building the SG Kirk Hammett played to honour Black Sabbath and how his designs might shape future Gibson releases
 
 
Taylor Jacob Collier GS Mini: featuring a brightly-coloured rosette graphic designed with the musical polymath, this beginner friendly acoustic has a bold five-string design for his signature DAEAD tuning.
Taylor teams up with Jacob Collier for signature acoustics that declare standard tuning DAEAD – and they’re accessibly priced
 
 
Fender California Standard Redondo
“If my first acoustic guitar were as easy to play as this, I’d have been insanely happy”: Fender California Standard Redondo review
 
 
Latest in News
D'Angelo and Prince
D’Angelo was so in awe of Prince that he refused to play his guitar on the one occasion they shared a stage
 
 
Portrait of British musician Kirsty MacColl (1959 - 2000) and Irish musician Shane MacGowan, the latter of the group the Pogues, as they pose together, each holding a toy gun with one hand and, in the other, a Christmas cracker over an inflatable Santa Claus, 1987.
“In operas, if you have a double aria, it's what the woman does that really matters. The man lies, the woman tells the truth": The story of Fairytale Of New York
 
 
Chris Rea circa 1970
Tell Me There’s A Heaven: Chris Rea has died, aged 74
 
 
Lady Gaga performs during her 'JAZZ & PIANO' residency at Park MGM on August 31, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada
“Being a human being isn’t going to go out of style anytime soon”: Why Lady Gaga is unafraid of AI
 
 
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Alanis Morrisette performs live on stage at The O2 Arena on July 27, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage for ABA)
Alanis Morissette reveals what she thinks is “the real irony” of the fuss caused by the lyrics in her 1996 hit
 
 
 Morrissey performs at The SSE Arena, Wembley on March 14, 2020 in London, England
Back To The Old House: Morrissey signs again to Warners subsidiary Sire
 
 

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
  • 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...