I have owned several Fender, Gibson and Suhr Custom shop guitars and I can categorically state that they are in no way better than any other properly made guitar.
I think the main thing with custom shop is the ability to make it exactly as you want (finish colours, specs). Otherwise, I agree with you as well. A well QC’d factory guitar will do pretty well against a custom shop
Yep. I have a PRS Private Stock that is phenomenal and distinct by color and neck, etc..... Is it worth 5k more than my core rosewood neck McCarty from 2003? Absolutely not. That stated. There's not another one like it on the planet. That's really what you are getting when you buy these.
I’ve gotten into specs of amps in the past two years, and subsequently learning how much I don’t know about electric guitar. I agree that I would rather spend hours seeking out the right guitar at a shop than pondering the minute details of a guitar that I won’t get to play for years after paying for it! I don’t even know what I’d pick. I’d probably be happier with the pretty one hanging on the wall
I loved spec’ing and buying a Fender custom shop from y’all. Lots of my desired specs weren’t available from the mod shop or normal product runs ( 7.25-9.5” radius, 63c neck, 63 Tele bridge pickup, Mercedes Blue on a Tele, etc). Thanks for helping me build my forever Tele. It was a great purchase and playing experience.
Also, I made a RU-vid video about my ordering experience with Casino Guitars and the guitar I ordered. It’s not much, but it’s a way that I can share the fantastic experience I had with you and let people know that you truly are customer focused. Thanks for being a great team to work with. I’m trying to get my friend to order a Custom Shop Strat through y’all 👍
I'm learning to level & crown frets. I buy the cheapest decent guitars I can find locally. With a little bit of work and decent pickups, I'm my own custom shop.
Learning stuff like that opens a lot of doors! I would like to own a nice custom specd guitar one day, but even more I like the idea of finding the right pawn shop prize and going beyond with upgrades and customization to make it one of a kind!
Considering how most custom shop stuff is just not in my reach, I'm a fan of finding a guitar with specs I love(body, neck, color) and make changes to the pickups, wiring harness, tuners, knobs, nut etc. It takes a lot less time and doesn't cost anywhere close to what Gibson or Heritage would want. 😊
Same boat. My newest project is a Sire L7 -- Great build quality and feel, but the pickups don't suit my ear. Putting in new pups and wiring and calling it a day. Stellar guitar that doesn't feel of lesser quality than a real LP, imo.
If my experience with (and expectations for) my last custom instrument taught me anything, it was to never make that mistake again. Seventeen years later I’m back to modding more affordable guitars. Hey, it keeps me sane!
For any bolt on neck guitar, I go to Warmoth first. I've searched and searched for guitars spec'd out the way I want and they rarely exist for way too much money. I have a Strat with a one piece ash body finished in a nitro Sonic blue, baked maple neck that's 1 inch thick from the 1st fret on up in a soft V shape with an ebony fretboard, stainless steel frets, compound radius and a graphtech nut. I sourced all the hardware from Callaham and the electronics from Bare Knuckle pickups. I customized a Trilogy Suite set of single coils to have a master volume, master tone and blend knob to have the neck and bridge together. It's an absolute beast and it cost about 1/3 of what a custom shop would be. Right now, I'm working on a 6 string baritone. Again, I searched for months to find something spec'd close to what I like. And again, I wound up going back to Warmoth. I don't think I ask for too much or have expensive taste. It just seems like the stuff I like is only on expensive guitars. It really comes down to 3 things. Fat neck, nitro finish and an ebony fretboard. For some reason, you have to spend thousands more just to get those 3 options in a production instrument. Oh well, at least we have the internets to explore, research and complain about our problems on. 😬
I would have agreed to all of that, until I recently brought in a custom shop Strat and sold my Ultra. The CS is a considerably better instrument from head to tail. Especially the neck finish and feel.
Great video. I have lusted over a number of Fender Custom Shop fantasy builds and I am honestly very happy I never pulled the trigger. I ended finding the guitar of my dreams at a local guitar store. I knew it was perfect for me the second I picked it up and started playing with it. Crazy to say that I knew it was perfect before I plugged it in. When I did plug it in and heard it through the amp I literally held on to it until I closed the deal with the shop. The weight and the feel of the neck was like a like a match made in heaven- each note played resonated deep in my chest and gut. It sounds dramatic, and kind of stupid writing, but every time I pick up and play the guitar it feels like a Sword in the Stone/“the wand chooses the wizard” kind of moment. Although I could fantasize about a crazier color, or exotic neck wood & fretboard- to me, the costs do not justify those particular aesthetics. Also, no amount of money could guarantee the weird magic/connection I have with this particular guitar. I believe some guitars are just special and if we bond with them, I don’t think the rest really matters.
When I bought my 93 deluxe plus Strat in 96, the guitar mags were saying "As close to custom shop from the factory as you'll find". To this day this well used workhorse tool as is as nice as then. Just relicing 1 day at a time.
I've been an archtop guy for about 15 years and I have some ideas. First an acoustic archtop with 3 waifer piezo pickups on the under side of the top that go directly into the jack. No knobs. Have a panel on the back that's removable for ease of maintenance (honestly I'm beginning to think all F hole guitars should have this). Aesthetically it should look like the Harmony Archtone with roughly the same size and dimensions. Then add whatever cool neck inlay while keeping it modest.
What's interesting about Taylor is that all their guitars seem way too fancy for me now--flueron inlays on the headstock, and fretboard. I just want a basic, kickass blue collar guitar. I was recently upgrading my Taylor 410 and I couldn't find a Taylor that matched the aesthetic I was looking for. Ended up buying a 50's J-45.
I was thinking about a customized D28 and it was cool, wait time 18 months. Brand new D45 on the shelf a little bit more same day purchase. Went with the D45, been happy since. Totally agree with you guys.
I agree with this except for two Custom Shop items. The Gibson 59 Les Paul RI and the Fender Custom Shop AMERICAN CUSTOM TELECASTER - HONEY BURST. They are just spec'd in such a way that is completely different from anything Gibson or Fender put out STANDARD wise. I know it can still be classified as a LOT of money for maybe one or two things. But in those two cases those one or two things make ALL the difference. The weight, the feel and the SOUND just are worlds above the mass produced items. I have thought about a true custom spec'd guitar but I have to say, given what I would want I would be SCARED to see what it would cost...and honestly I wouldn't be able to do what I wanted to with it because it would be so expensive. It makes you wonder WHY the companies dont put a bit more care into the mass produced items.
Honestly…. The fender american original series is really really good for the money… I’ve sold several custom shops while keeping most of my AO series. Also Heritage guitars productions stuff is absolutely custom shop level guitars at production prices.
I built an amazing Strat - Clapton body, my favorite American neck, Josephina hand wired pickups and it costed me under $1500. Anything above $1000 for an electric guitar is pushing it for me. At that price, you can get or build what you want.
My import Schecter Nick Johnston HSS “Strat” feels, sounds, and looks amazing ($900). I played a USA one ($3,300) and it felt like it played itself. So comfortable. And the attention to detail was astounding. Love Schecter!
Love my Eastman Romeo LA. I played an Eastman jazz box (forgot the model) at NAMM. I can only play a little jazz but it sounded so incredible I didn’t want to put it back. It felt and sounded so much more natural than the Gibson n Ibanez jazz guitars I’ve tried.
I couldnt find a Les Paul ES style guitar with abalone trapazoids, zebra pickups, brass nut, Quick Change tail piece, Ace Frehley Grover tuners with a Bourbon Burst. So I bought a kit and made one. It's as good or better as any of the $1000 guitars I own. I cost me $1800. I paid retail for all the parts.
I will say NO! The heart wants what the heart wants. Always hold out for the guitars you want. In the end you will be happier. 50 now and worked my butt off to have what I have. Trust me, if you can’t afford it simply wait. You will thank yourself later. 🤘
Going to a Guitar shop and trying out an instrument 1 to 1 is still the best way to find the one for you. I have played "custom shop" guitars that sound awful, weigh a ton and look like pieces of wall furniture. If the makers basic standard model is good then that's all you need, the more complex the more there is to distract you from playing. Keep it simple and bond with the instrument, it's a relationship.
it MUST mean that the Custom shops are busy ( & that is good for them and the guitar industry in general) BUT , there is NO DAMN WAY I'm plunking down big dollars to wait TWO YEARS to get a guitar. NO. F-ing. WAY.
My wife surprised me with a Fender SRV guitar in 2015. Best guitar I have ever had and plays like a Custom Shop! I also have an Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino and it plays amazing! So many great guitars that can be made “Custom” with minor tweaks. Love your channel and I hope to get my next guitar from Casino. Thanks guys!
Just got my first Custom Shop guitar last week. Martin HD28 and it's the best acoustic I've ever played. Drove 8 hours round trip. Gotta see yalls Shop someday
I can’t get ANY manufacturer to build me the guitar I want. These “SO CALLED” custom shops are not really custom shops. They are “Mod” shops for guitars already in the production line. They Pretend to give you a feeling of CUSTOM WORK/Options. Alas I digress. I will either build it myself (ain’t gonna be pretty) or find a crazy new up and coming guy OR girl that wants to make a showpiece guitar for NAMM. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻 Who has the BEST custom shop?
I have custom shop strat and love it but honestly I could do it with a classic vibe if needed. Having the guitar you want is one thing but won’t make you better or worse player 😂
@@ScottPriestley nope. About a month or two back, they started using closer making, and to make up for the loss of room sound they started adding a really noticeable amount of a cheap sounding reverb in post. It's been driving me nuts, and they really dialed it back here. Go back and listen to their videos from 4 months ago and you'll hear that it sounds like they're actually in a room. Nowadays it sounds like they're using lav mics or really tight boom mics and it's completely cut out the room sound.
@@robotsongs ahh, I think we're saying different things. I thought you were inferring that the room was fake and I was responding because I was actually in the room lol. You may be right about the audio...
I'm going to have to partscaster my Jazzmaster. I want the neck carve and fretboard of a Jackson/Charvel, block inlays, matching headstock, all rosewood or wenge neck, carved heel, with single coils, a rhythm circuit, mustang bridge, and the proper JM bridge. The only way I can get in the neighborhood of this happening without busting the bank, is to get a Troy Van Leeuwen body and Warmoth neck and skipping out on a few things.
Custom Shop prices going up by 15% yet a year old mint condition Custom Shop is worth 15% less than when it was new. Buy a gently used CS that’s already deprecated. There’s 1000s for sale so that drives the prices down. The exception MIGHT be a master build.
My first Stratocaster was a custom shop, they retain their value it’s worth more now then what I payed for, save your money buy the custom shop if your serious at being a guitarist
You're right though. I was going to wait until my 50th birthday to get a custom shop strat but then Fender released the AVII '61 Strat and it's basically the same exact thing I would have spec'd out with the custom shop. For like $3k less!
Guys... Buying a custom shop anything from any manufacture as well as a "Celerity" model is a big waste of MONEY$$$$$$$$$... If you want n old looking guitar play the hell out the one you own trust me 1 year of gigs and that sucker will age. If you need/must have the celerity mods look them up and the DIY modification will be way cheaper than paying some rich person royalties. Basically save your money and don't fall for the hype😎
I kinda want a hardtail Strat with a R/wood board, but I think I could walk out of your store with that white one with the Rosewood board behind you, depending on the neck size and never look back.
@@wewin03 I'm a fan of bigger necks, that makes the R/wood board a trick. I have a second-hand custom shop '59 Tele with a decent size D neck, a '52 RI an Eric Johnson maple and I'm building a partscaster that will only cost me $50, 000 by the time I'm done. 😉 More if I buy a case. I just have to commit to a neck and the pickups. I have lots of pickups.
So? … I just bought my first 5 watt tube amp. (Marshall DSL5) And it screams with a Moore 002 pre amp pedal. Witch is essentially a Marshall JCM 800. I put a MXR Timmy and a Dunlop echoplex preamp infount of my amp.😮and it blew my head off. 😆
The spec that l just cant settle on is NECK RADIUS. I understand different types. 71/4 or 10, or Gibson’s 12 degree. Then ya factor in compound radius necks. 😫 l really would like a video or some sensible explanation and opinions on what overall feels better. What can achieve the lowest action? I know l know then ya factor in fret size. I have build and bought many guitars with different specifications for the neck. It’s a roll of the dice. Seems like.
Thx guys! Great info! And cool shirt, John? Where'd you come across that? You know Jensen by chance? I grew up with him. He's our hometown boy made good!!
The problem with acoustic guitars is that they are made of wood. We all know that wood grows the way you have designed it to, right down to the grain ... oh, wait ... trees grow the way they do, absent design. There are very few builders, if any, who can build acoustic guitars that sound exactly the same. But what you want, play what you enjoy playing. Musicians make music. Collectors buy pieces, some of which are remarkable.
I hesitated really long to buy a Custom Shop guitar, but three weeks ago I finally pulled the trigger. Got myself a gorgeous Gibson SG Custom 3 pickup maestro vibrola with a fantastic silver sparkle finish. Haven't regretted it for a second. Also have a Gibson SG '61 standard with a maestro vibrola, and there is a significant difference. The SG Custom is more resonant and has a lot more sustain. It also stays in tune way better, even when the vibrola is used. Haven't touched another guitar since I got it, besides rehearsals and gigs.
If you did a Baxter ped-board , I would pre-order one right now :-) I would also pay good money to see you guys out in front of the cornfield :-) lol I’m 53 and need some help with getting a paddleboard together for a guy who really doesn’t play out but loves to play
For Custom Shop money I’d rather buy from an individual luthier or small builder like Echo Park or Hahn. Get something that’s really yours and support independent builders.
This is the major reason that I don't consider it Taylor. Mother Gump says Taylor's are like a box of chocolate. You never know what their gonna sell next
Bro, just buy a mexican fender, throw a decent set of pickups in it, sand down the fret sprout that inevitably happens that first winter, and boom you got a great guitar.
Baxter, one watt tube through en efficient 10” speaker, in a 400 sq ft room, is more than loud enough, unless there’s a drummer. Probably need at least 10 watts with a drummer.
Cornfield heh? I'm thinking Field of Dreams is for the gloopy ones. What you need is something real horror show. Stephen King, He who walk behind the rows, "Children of The Corn". That'll do ya'
Interesting topic. Just expierenced it. Own a Taylor 314ce sinced 2016. Just bought a 814ce Builders Edition. Can't tell you how disapointed I am with the 814. Plays nice, looks nice but worth $5,000! Not even close. The 314 records and sounds better. The 814 is a very nice piece od art work....but...mistake on my part. But I own it.
My blackstar ht-1 is a 1 watt amp and I barely turn it above 2 and it's pretty loud. All the way up my neighbors will hear it. 1 watt is louder than you think. Js. 😂
