Fender Factory Partscasters???

RP · #1 03-08-2018, 02:44 PM

I know that a lot of folks build their own partscasters, but I was wondering about the notion of Fender having their own program where buyers basically design a Strat or Tele to their own specifications. What do you think? My custom blend would include a sunburst hardtail body, vintage noiseless pickups, and a maple neck.....

Johnny K · #2 03-08-2018, 02:49 PM

They do

https://www.fender.com/articles/namm...ender-mod-shop

RP · #3 03-08-2018, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny K

They do

https://www.fender.com/articles/namm...ender-mod-shop

Didn’t know about that program but was disappointed that a hardtail bridge wasn’t an option....

ParisStarlight · #4 03-08-2018, 03:27 PM

Well that is fun to play with! Don’t know if I’d pay that for one...but maybe someday. Changing the paint job is fun to do on the jazz body.

Dru Edwards · #5 03-08-2018, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RP

Didn’t know about that program but was disappointed that a hardtail bridge wasn’t an option....

That's surprising given that it's a custom build.

RP · #6 03-08-2018, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

That's surprising given that it's a custom build.

For sure! Looks like my next electric might be a partscaster...

Johnny K · #7 03-09-2018, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ParisStarlight

Well that is fun to play with! Don’t know if I’d pay that for one...but maybe someday. Changing the paint job is fun to do on the jazz body.

The pricing kind of got me too. 1700 bucks for a Blond Tele w/black pickguard, '52 maple neck & Texas pickups is not what I would call a bargin. I could probably make my own for less using Genuine fender parts. Hmmm...maybe i should figure this out?

Paleolith54 · #8 03-09-2018, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

That's surprising given that it's a custom build.

My memory of that program, though, is that it’s more “assemble-to-spec” than what most would think of as a custom build. That’s why the selection of options is “curated “, meaning limited. 😀

RP · #9 03-09-2018, 10:59 AM

I was hoping to procure/assemble a "poor, man's" Clapton Brownie with the addition of a hardtail. However, I bit the bullet on Reverb this morning and found a very "clean grained" (meaning virtually no grain) MIM Standard Strat with a sunburst body that the seller had installed Vintage Noiseless pickups and with a Fender tweed case. I'll add a few extra springs and maybe some time down the road pick up a hardtail (although probably not) body and do a swap....

Dru Edwards · #10 03-09-2018, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RP

I was hoping to procure/assemble a "poor, man's" Clapton Brownie with the addition of a hardtail. However, I bit the bullet on Reverb this morning and found a very "clean grained" (meaning virtually no grain) MIM Standard Strat with a sunburst body that the seller had installed Vintage Noiseless pickups and with a Fender tweed case. I'll add a few extra springs and maybe some time down the road pick up a hardtail (although probably not) body and do a swap....

Sweet! Post a NGD thread when it comes in RP.

Johnny K · #11 03-09-2018, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RP

I was hoping to procure/assemble a "poor, man's" Clapton Brownie with the addition of a hardtail. However, I bit the bullet on Reverb this morning and found a very "clean grained" (meaning virtually no grain) MIM Standard Strat with a sunburst body that the seller had installed Vintage Noiseless pickups and with a Fender tweed case. I'll add a few extra springs and maybe some time down the road pick up a hardtail (although probably not) body and do a swap....

This cracks me up! I bought a new EC Sig Strat in 1990 and back then they all left the factory with the trems blocked up. Story goes, the trems are blocked up because EC wanted it that way.

Dru Edwards · #12 03-11-2018, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RP

Didn’t know about that program but was disappointed that a hardtail bridge wasn’t an option....

Hey RP, I was watching Philip McKnight's YouTube channel last night. He has a weekly Friday night Q&A on guitars that I enjoy. He owned a guitar store for years and he said that the most common thing that people wanted in a Strat (which wasn't available) was a hardtail option. He doesn't know why Fender doesn't produce more.

So ... you're not alone.

ChrisN · #13 03-11-2018, 12:19 PM

Most know this, but for those who don't, if you're willing to leave mama fender, G&L will let you assemble a strat-like guitar (pickups might sound a bit different) with a hardtail bridge. You can pick the neck, finishes, fretboard, pickups, etc. Caution - if you want to later change the neck, nothing aftermarket matches the G&L socket.