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Custom Shop

Fender Custom Shop Basses represent the finest in Hand Crafted Basses ! 

The Fender Custom Shop, known as "The Dream Factory," is a division of Fender that produces high-end, handcrafted, custom-designed, and limited-edition guitars and amplifiers. It was founded in 1987 to return the brand to the premium craftsmanship it was known for before the CBS era. 
 
History and origins
  • Response to a quality slump: In 1965, Fender was sold to CBS, which led to cost-cutting measures and a perceived decline in quality among musicians.
  • The birth of the Dream Factory: After CBS sold the company in 1985, new management established the 
    Custom Shop
     in Corona, California, in 1987. Its purpose was to rebuild Fender's reputation for quality by creating instruments that lived up to the company's legacy.
  • Master builders: The shop began with two master luthiers, John Page and Michael Stevens, and quickly grew to include an elite team of craftsmen.
  • Artist endorsements: Early on, the 
    Custom Shop
     built guitars for legendary artists like Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, and Pete Townshend, solidifying its reputation for quality with top-tier musicians. 
 
Types of Custom Shop instruments
The Custom Shop offers several levels of instruments, each with a different focus on customization and construction. 
  • Master Built: The highest tier, where a single master builder designs and constructs the instrument from start to finish. These are the most customized and expensive instruments available.
  • Team Built: Instruments are crafted by a select team of journeymen luthiers under the supervision of a master builder. These are more accessible than Master Built guitars while still offering Custom Shop quality.
  • Custom Collection: These are limited-run models based on a specific theme or year, often featuring common, sought-after specifications.
  • Time Machine Series: A series dedicated to vintage reproductions, ranging from brand-new, historically accurate "New Old Stock" (NOS) guitars to instruments with varying degrees of simulated play wear, known as "relic" finishes. 
 
The relic process
The Custom Shop is famous for pioneering the "relic" finish, a process that simulates years of wear and tear. 
  • NOS (New Old Stock): Recreates the look of a guitar that was made in a vintage year but has never been played.
  • Closet Classic: Mimics the appearance of a guitar that was stored in a closet for decades, showing minor aging but no heavy wear.
  • Journeyman Relic: Shows moderate aging and play wear, like an instrument that has been played regularly but cared for.
  • Heavy Relic / Super Heavy Relic: Features significant wear and finish checking, like a guitar that has seen decades of heavy touring. 
 
Mod Shop vs. Custom Shop
In addition to the Custom Shop, Fender also offers a "Mod Shop" for more accessible customization. 
  • Fender Mod Shop: Allows customers to select from pre-approved, factory-customized options for finishes, pickups, necks, and hardware. These are assembled at the Corona factory and ship in about 30 days.
  • Fender Custom Shop: A higher-end, more involved process with a wider range of options and expert craftsmanship, resulting in a more unique and expensive instrument. 

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