Gallery: Fender Custom Shop day at Longleat House
As showrooms go, this one ain't bad
Longleat House
A little while ago the nice chaps at Fender asked if we'd fancy coming along to a day at Longleat House in Somerset to try out some new Custom Shop guitars. Playing it cool, but secretly thinking "this could potentially be the best day of our meagre lives" we graciously accepted. These are the pictures in which our hands were shaking the least…
Well, what would YOU call it?
The guitar room
A little while ago the nice chaps at Fender asked if we'd fancy coming along to a day at Longleat House in Somerset to try out some new Custom Shop guitars. Playing it cool, but secretly thinking "this could potentially be the best day of our meagre lives" we graciously accepted. These are the pictures in which our hands were shaking the least…
It's like Valhalla for guitars
"The main event", as Fender described it
A little while ago the nice chaps at Fender asked if we'd fancy coming along to a day at Longleat House in Somerset to try out some new Custom Shop guitars. Playing it cool, but secretly thinking "this could potentially be the best day of our meagre lives" we graciously accepted. These are the pictures in which our hands were shaking the least…
A selection of Vintage White Relics
A Strat for all occasions
A little while ago the nice chaps at Fender asked if we'd fancy coming along to a day at Longleat House in Somerset to try out some new Custom Shop guitars. Playing it cool, but secretly thinking "this could potentially be the best day of our meagre lives" we graciously accepted. These are the pictures in which our hands were shaking the least…
Check out the two-tone 'over-spray' Relics
Various Stratocasters and Telecasters
A little while ago the nice chaps at Fender asked if we'd fancy coming along to a day at Longleat House in Somerset to try out some new Custom Shop guitars. Playing it cool, but secretly thinking "this could potentially be the best day of our meagre lives" we graciously accepted. These are the pictures in which our hands were shaking the least…
Including a Blonde left-handed Nocaster
Various Stratocasters and Telecasters
A little while ago the nice chaps at Fender asked if we'd fancy coming along to a day at Longleat House in Somerset to try out some new Custom Shop guitars. Playing it cool, but secretly thinking "this could potentially be the best day of our meagre lives" we graciously accepted. These are the pictures in which our hands were shaking the least…
Fender going for the Pink Floyd 'The Wall' effect
Crossing swords
A little while ago the nice chaps at Fender asked if we'd fancy coming along to a day at Longleat House in Somerset to try out some new Custom Shop guitars. Playing it cool, but secretly thinking "this could potentially be the best day of our meagre lives" we graciously accepted. These are the pictures in which our hands were shaking the least…
What's the collective noun for Strats? Is it 'flock'? Yeah, let's go with 'flock'
1960 NOS Sunburst Stratocasters
A little while ago the nice chaps at Fender asked if we'd fancy coming along to a day at Longleat House in Somerset to try out some new Custom Shop guitars. Playing it cool, but secretly thinking "this could potentially be the best day of our meagre lives" we graciously accepted. These are the pictures in which our hands were shaking the least…
For those that want a 'new' guitar for their money
1960 NOS Sunburst Stratocaster
A little while ago the nice chaps at Fender asked if we'd fancy coming along to a day at Longleat House in Somerset to try out some new Custom Shop guitars. Playing it cool, but secretly thinking "this could potentially be the best day of our meagre lives" we graciously accepted. These are the pictures in which our hands were shaking the least…
These were probably used a lot in the '90s - the whole dog-chain/jean thing plays havoc with the finish
1960 Heavy Relic Sunburst Strats
A little while ago the nice chaps at Fender asked if we'd fancy coming along to a day at Longleat House in Somerset to try out some new Custom Shop guitars. Playing it cool, but secretly thinking "this could potentially be the best day of our meagre lives" we graciously accepted. These are the pictures in which our hands were shaking the least…
Good to see Fender have used (UK firm) Bare Knuckle pickups on a lot of the models
1960 Heavy Relic Sunburst Strat
A little while ago the nice chaps at Fender asked if we'd fancy coming along to a day at Longleat House in Somerset to try out some new Custom Shop guitars. Playing it cool, but secretly thinking "this could potentially be the best day of our meagre lives" we graciously accepted. These are the pictures in which our hands were shaking the least…
1960 Heavy Relic Sunburst Strat, NOS Blonde Nocaster and a 1960 NOS Sunburst Strat
Lefties need love too!
A little while ago the nice chaps at Fender asked if we'd fancy coming along to a day at Longleat House in Somerset to try out some new Custom Shop guitars. Playing it cool, but secretly thinking "this could potentially be the best day of our meagre lives" we graciously accepted. These are the pictures in which our hands were shaking the least…
More examples of the 'over-spray' effect
1960 Heavy Relic Sonic Blue/Candy Green Stratocaster
A little while ago the nice chaps at Fender asked if we'd fancy coming along to a day at Longleat House in Somerset to try out some new Custom Shop guitars. Playing it cool, but secretly thinking "this could potentially be the best day of our meagre lives" we graciously accepted. These are the pictures in which our hands were shaking the least…
We reckon this technique will add more fuel to the 'Relic debate' fire
1960 Heavy Relic Sonic Blue/Candy Green Stratocaster (detail)
A little while ago the nice chaps at Fender asked if we'd fancy coming along to a day at Longleat House in Somerset to try out some new Custom Shop guitars. Playing it cool, but secretly thinking "this could potentially be the best day of our meagre lives" we graciously accepted. These are the pictures in which our hands were shaking the least…
"It's like sunrise over the savannah!" *Wipes tear from eye*
1963 Heavy Relic Lake Placid Blue/Sunburst Stratocaster
A little while ago the nice chaps at Fender asked if we'd fancy coming along to a day at Longleat House in Somerset to try out some new Custom Shop guitars. Playing it cool, but secretly thinking "this could potentially be the best day of our meagre lives" we graciously accepted. These are the pictures in which our hands were shaking the least…
More pimping than 50 Cent's dentals and light as a feather to boot!
Masterbuilt 1960 NOS Natural Telecaster
A little while ago the nice chaps at Fender asked if we'd fancy coming along to a day at Longleat House in Somerset to try out some new Custom Shop guitars. Playing it cool, but secretly thinking "this could potentially be the best day of our meagre lives" we graciously accepted. These are the pictures in which our hands were shaking the least…
The black binding on this Custom Tele made it our favourite guitar of the day.
Masterbuilt Heavy Relic Olympic White Custom Telecaster
A little while ago the nice chaps at Fender asked if we'd fancy coming along to a day at Longleat House in Somerset to try out some new Custom Shop guitars. Playing it cool, but secretly thinking "this could potentially be the best day of our meagre lives" we graciously accepted. These are the pictures in which our hands were shaking the least…
We've got wood. And strings, tuners, nuts etc
Masterbuilt Heavy Relic Olympic White Custom Telecaster (headstock)
A little while ago the nice chaps at Fender asked if we'd fancy coming along to a day at Longleat House in Somerset to try out some new Custom Shop guitars. Playing it cool, but secretly thinking "this could potentially be the best day of our meagre lives" we graciously accepted. These are the pictures in which our hands were shaking the least…
"Stop torturing yourself man, you'll never afford it! Live in the now!" Ah 'Wayne's World', how much we owe ye.
Stu tries the Masterbuilt Custom Telecaster
A little while ago the nice chaps at Fender asked if we'd fancy coming along to a day at Longleat House in Somerset to try out some new Custom Shop guitars. Playing it cool, but secretly thinking "this could potentially be the best day of our meagre lives" we graciously accepted. These are the pictures in which our hands were shaking the least…
For sale: "Very good condition"
Masterbuilt 1961 Extreme Relic Honey Blonde Stratocaster
A little while ago the nice chaps at Fender asked if we'd fancy coming along to a day at Longleat House in Somerset to try out some new Custom Shop guitars. Playing it cool, but secretly thinking "this could potentially be the best day of our meagre lives" we graciously accepted. These are the pictures in which our hands were shaking the least…
Complete with authentic rust
Masterbuilt 1961 Extreme Relic Honey Blonde Stratocaster (bridge)
A little while ago the nice chaps at Fender asked if we'd fancy coming along to a day at Longleat House in Somerset to try out some new Custom Shop guitars. Playing it cool, but secretly thinking "this could potentially be the best day of our meagre lives" we graciously accepted. These are the pictures in which our hands were shaking the least…
Apparently a provisional driving license doesn't count as 'currency' anymore...
Matt pulls out the big guns. And comes up short.
A little while ago the nice chaps at Fender asked if we'd fancy coming along to a day at Longleat House in Somerset to try out some new Custom Shop guitars. Playing it cool, but secretly thinking "this could potentially be the best day of our meagre lives" we graciously accepted. These are the pictures in which our hands were shaking the least…
Our sister mag were on-hand shooting a high-budget guitar porno
Guitarist Magazine shoot
A little while ago the nice chaps at Fender asked if we'd fancy coming along to a day at Longleat House in Somerset to try out some new Custom Shop guitars. Playing it cool, but secretly thinking "this could potentially be the best day of our meagre lives" we graciously accepted. These are the pictures in which our hands were shaking the least…
Hot chocolate AND Cadbury's Eclairs!? Ambassador, you are spoiling us...
Refreshments!
A little while ago the nice chaps at Fender asked if we'd fancy coming along to a day at Longleat House in Somerset to try out some new Custom Shop guitars. Playing it cool, but secretly thinking "this could potentially be the best day of our meagre lives" we graciously accepted. These are the pictures in which our hands were shaking the least…
We decided it was, unfortunately, too large to sneak out in our trousers.
Stu examining a 1962 Heavy Relic Stratocaster
A little while ago the nice chaps at Fender asked if we'd fancy coming along to a day at Longleat House in Somerset to try out some new Custom Shop guitars. Playing it cool, but secretly thinking "this could potentially be the best day of our meagre lives" we graciously accepted. These are the pictures in which our hands were shaking the least…
See what we did there? That's why we're sat here and you're, well, probably getting paid a lot more than us
Just in case...
A little while ago the nice chaps at Fender asked if we'd fancy coming along to a day at Longleat House in Somerset to try out some new Custom Shop guitars. Playing it cool, but secretly thinking "this could potentially be the best day of our meagre lives" we graciously accepted. These are the pictures in which our hands were shaking the least…
Camera operated through beer goggles
Longleat at night
A little while ago the nice chaps at Fender asked if we'd fancy coming along to a day at Longleat House in Somerset to try out some new Custom Shop guitars. Playing it cool, but secretly thinking "this could potentially be the best day of our meagre lives" we graciously accepted. These are the pictures in which our hands were shaking the least…
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.