Fender Custom Shop Tour with Master Builders Andy Hicks & Austin MacNutt + John Bohlinger

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There's more in Corona than a slice of lime. The California city is also the home of Fender’s Custom Shop, and PG’s John Bohlinger, with our crack video team of Chris Kies and Perry Bean, descended on the shop recently for a different kind of rundown.
The tour starts with master builder Andy Hicks, who recount his CV, including a stint in the Gretsch Custom Shop, where he built the Malcolm Young 1963 Jet Firebird G6131 limited edition. At Fender, he leads a tour through the company's metal shop, which includes a press installed by Leo Fender. Saddles, pickup bobbins, shielding, bridge plates … check. You can watch a CNC machine cut Strat pickguards, and then stop in on Josefina Campos, perhaps Fender’s most famed living pickup maker, with 31 years of experience. Campos’ pickups are destined for Master Built guitars. How do you know if you've got a Campos pickup? She signs and dates each one. At Fender’s wood mill, where both the Fender USA and Custom Shop sawing gets done, you see alder, ash, and maple blanks, plus rosewood for fretboards. Learn about the "Golden Neck,” and see how Custom Shop necks get hand shaped. In Custom Shop final assembly, everything comes together. Guitar bodies have been painted and aged. Assembled necks are bolted in. The wiring and electronic installed.
“All the guys in here are experts about their own work as well as everything else,” Hicks explains. That's part of Fender Custom’s quality assurance gameplan. On this day, Team Built instruments were on the menu. Master Built guitars are the province of a single builder, from start to finish. And master builder Austin MacNutt gives us a close-up look at one of his special projects, the Jerry Garcia “Alligator” Stratocaster, in a limited run of 100. And in Hicks’ own shop, he talks about the process of creating a custom guitar, from talking to the buyer about his or her desires, to plugging it in and playing it. He also displays a very special Jaguar, made from a 50,000-year-old piece of partially petrified wood, with a blonde inlay from mastodon tusk. FYI, he currently has 50 to 75 guitars at various stages of the three-month process of custom building. Hicks also talks about creating his annual prestige model. It's a secret. You've gotta wait till next year! Check back in at premierguitar.com.
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© Copyright Gearhead Communications LLC, 2023
00:00 - Intro
00:15 - Master Builder Andy Hicks Intro
01:18 - Metal Shop & Leo Fender's Press
02:19 - Humbucker Mounting Brackets
03:08 - Tele Bridges & Serial Numbers
04:02 - Pickguards
04:32 - Josefina Campos Custom Shop Pickup Winder
05:21 - Woodmill
06:30 - Neckmill
07:17 - CNC Body Machine & Sanding
07:56 - Custom Shop Final Assembly
09:56 - Master Builder Austin MacNutt & Jerry Garcia "Alligator" Strat
14:09 - Master Builder Andy Hicks & Truetone Music Jaguar with 50,000-year-old body wood
#guitar #fender #stratocaster

[@premierguitar]

Learn more: bit.ly/FenderCustomShopPG Subscribe to PG's Channel: bit.ly/SubscribePGKZbin Win Guitar Gear: bit.ly/GiveawaysPG Don't Miss a Rundown: bit.ly/RIgRundownENL Merch & Magazines: shop.premierguitar.com

[@rocknrollguitar]

inlays from mastodont tooth? say goodbye to your tools... I have guitar pick made off that stuff, the guy who makes em for me told me it is hell on the tools.... so hard

[@CurranKevin]

Loads of respect for these builders and everyone who works in the factory. So glad you featured Josefina Campos! Legend. Thanks, PG.

[@JaEuerMeister]

„Right now you are building a pickup for a master-built guitar, I guess.“ - „She IS a pickup master builder.“

[@benvenables6583]

Hi there Fender, Just a New Zealander here kindly letting you know that the 50,000 year old wood used to make that Jaquar is called 'Kauri' and its pronounced *Kow-ry* NOT "Ki ori" no offense taken :) just a friendly comment to let you know how to pronounce the woods name😊 Keep up the awesome work!

[@SnaFOo75]

wow thanks

[@bradyneff5654]

seeing josephina was a pleasure. i’m not a fender guy but she’s a legend even in my book

[@user-jl9kw9gn3m]

idiotic

[@JockeLundgrenTV]

Thank you Premier Guitar! 👌🏻

[@user-lg6ye1jx7v]

Big respect for Andy Hicks! Finally Andy made clear picture about the Master Builder phenomenon. All Fender peoples talking about Master Builder work like a big mystery. 👍👍👍

[@michaelborn3318]

Andy is such a great builder and has a great personality on top of it!

[@booitsnick]

I cried a little when I saw Dusty Hills golden neck up there

[@GraphiteandCigars]

I am loving the mastodon tusk inlays.

[@jeffsquires6620]

I've been waiting 20 months so far for my Greg Fessler Blungeon. Should be arriving in a couple. My lifer.

[@brandonjackson5865]

That tinted headstock with the flame and swirl looking quilt is gorgeous!

[@jamesjeager129]

I love guitar videos of how electric guitar are made in the factory by showing us audiences what materials and resources they make. I love it when it’s USA made in the factories because it’s part of the American culture. Thanks for sharing video😎👍🇺🇸

[@premierguitar]

Rock on!

[@hussydahustla]

Love the factory tours thank you for the great tour. That last guitar was stunning.

[@premierguitar]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@tvviewer4500]

So stunning it turned me into stone

[@boatingforbeginners7949]

😯😯😯 WOW! Really is the right word.. What a fantastic video and insight to the custom shop world.. Seriously AWESOME!

[@joelbloggs8212]

Masterbuilder and Jay and his spray booth = Team built 😄

[@Zeal808]

Three years ago I created my own relic Stratocaster. It was definitely one of the funnest projects in my life and pretty unbelievable that I pulled it off😅. It looks great too but I’m not here to convince you. Just love the arts 👍🏾. Fender for life

[@slowflowlowlow]

I have visited Fender twice, and thanks to Dale Wilson, I got to see the custom shop and meet some of masters. Always a megical place.

[@pepmasters-999]

Totally megical.

[@unclefoiley819]

Last year I broke down and bought my first custom shop telecaster. The attention to detail is phenomenal. EVERYTHING about it is exactly what I was hoping for. Now I'm going for a 1957 reissue stratocaster with the U neck. Selling off all my cheap guitars and will have just a few special ones which will be better than having a bunch of firewood.

[@gcc5036]

That Jaguar is totally bonkers. Can’t believe stuff like this exists, love it!

[@chrisc6144]

Saskatchewan Plate In The Fender Custom Shop! - That is so cool!

[@aussie_philosopher8079]

I still got my American original 50s strat here. Best guitar series they have made.

[@TheThinker39]

Very interesting! It was great to see the employees who have been doing this for so long. Great to see the machines working. It gave me a feeling of reverence for this company that has been making wonderful guitars all these years. Thanks!

[@premierguitar]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@InfectiousGroovePodcast]

I'm always so fascinated by these types of videos. Having loved Stratocasters since I first saw David Gilmour play one, it's so cool to see how all of this is done.

[@davidedelco9507]

This place is pure magic!

[@felipe1980rocknroll]

My dream is to visit the Fender factory!

[@charlesthompson5431]

Great tour! Great craftsman! Bohlinger is the BEST! His knowledge, personality, and guitar playing always makes his videos the most enjoyable

[@Steinstra-vj7wl]

The magic is flowing away from the Custom Shop as there are more and more "master builders' that nobody knows, while the original Master Builders made Guitars for the great: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, SRV, Mark Knopfler, Doug Aldrich, Gary Moore, etc. This will no doubt have its effect on the resale value of current and future made Custom Shop guitars.

[@thebaneofyourexistence.3377]

What a brilliant point.

[@charlesbolton8471]

@@thebaneofyourexistence.3377 You don’t think the current group of Master Builders are still building for legendary guitarists?

[@thebaneofyourexistence.3377]

@@charlesbolton8471 eh?

[@flybynight1929]

I was imagining a giant rock tumbler with a bunch of their everyday run of the mill Fenders tossed in for about a 6 hour cycle, then onto the website.

[@youmustmonthebiff]

😂

[@puppie110112]

Not my favorite guitars, but that Tour, just wow 😮

[@TerryCox-yt5jn]

Andy: Happened to run across this! Loved it and love your work. Always remember the really great tour you gave us.....hope all is well with you and your family!! Best wishes, Terry Cox

[@Mexxx65]

Ohhhhhhh safety goggles .... things are moving to next level today!!!!!

[@tylerwillison4962]

Awesome vid! Bring back the Custom Shop Road Show!

[@ronnieking1025]

Thanks John and Fender

[@zeroboyrick1717]

Few things in life far exceed your expectations but picking out the specs for "my" Strat was one of the most fun things I've ever done. I wasn't looking to reinvent the wheel. Leo already designed a work of art. Basically, a simple '57 spec Strat two color burst with a modern neck shape made as good as it could be made. I feel like I got a bargain. Compared to the cost of a professional grade concert instrument the cost of a custom-made Strat is nothing. If you are on the fence, do it.

[@hessex1899]

Re: The Jerry Strat. The Tiger guitar had enough room under the buffer circuit to hold a baggie of stuff, quite a big one.

[@galacticoasis]

Ok...That ancient Jag has got to be the most gorgeous guitar I ever seen. I love Strats and Jags. This one takes the cake! Would love to hear how that sounds. I've got to find me some ancient wood from some peat bog. I hope there's one up here in NH. Also I dig that Beatles shirt John is sporting! Nice work Andy!

[@terryeaster1]

That Jerry Garcia alligator strat!!!

[@DBSG1976]

I'd be out of my mind touring that place

[@cameronvillarrealLp]

Woah, that jag is incredible.

[@rickwright3000]

Super awesome video! That Jag!

[@user-ew1nm6gj6y]

I love how its iterally just mexican ladies building these guitars, viva mexico!

[@ADR.Hi-Gain]

Josie: Abigal Ybarra hand wound the Pups in my 2001 Custom Shop "Mary Kaye ' Relic. . ."FAT 50's initialed by her! Thank you for doing and loving your job, cannot tell you how much your magic touch makes soo much TONE!

[@thebaneofyourexistence.3377]

Good one 😂

[@A-Wall]

This was awesome, factory tours like this really do help give a perspective of what goes into these guitars. And it's nice to be updated because there has been a lot of advancement within the last few years. Id love to see a detailed tour of Fenders Factory in Mexico. I have a 2021 Road Worn Tele and just from the feel of this neck shape I know there's some high quality handwork going on.

[@premierguitar]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tjancijr]

I'm less than 3 months away from receiving my team build C/S tele. Cannot wait!

[@Jakeman90210]

Just a bunch of folks who love guitars, fun video

[@douglasdog1]

I want to hear a side by side if that jag to a squier! Lol. Kidding, amazing guitar

[@heres2ya]

what an Awesome Toure!. i have a set of Fender Abigail Ybarra Fat 50’s pickups, and a set of Fender Custom Shop Josefina Campos Handwound ‘60s Strat pickups.

[@vandalorianvandalorian4769]

I have a custom shop Tele. Love it. Such great work.

[@IvesMarcelin]

Wonderfull and Finest work 👌👍❤❤❤

[@Chu_Strums]

Holy crap that Jag. I wanna hear how it sounds!

[@williamknell864]

I like how he caught himself and stopped just short of saying that unobtanium wood Jag "sounds like a normal Jag," I'd love to hear a Pepsi challenge tone test comparing Mastodon tusk block inlays to mother of pearl. Because if slab vs veneer matters, Mastodon blocks must too.

[@chrismason4224]

@teezee44 You couldn't be more right, but people will still hate you for saying that because they paid $10K for the tonal difference that their confirmation bias confirms on a daily basis. Love my Mexican Strat!

[@jasonwright7513]

What a cool video of a great shop love that Garcia alligator guitar with the back plate AKA "Contraband compartment."lol 😄

[@teslapete4461]

damn that '57 he was finishing up had me drooling....

[@desipelletier2981]

A fellow Saskatchewan man in the custom shop cool❤

[@blaineedwards8078]

Andy has really cool hair, I'm so jealous!

[@ranman58635]

I started doing custom shop stuff to my Squier stratocasters. Wow!

[@Twobarpsi]

Incredible video!!

[@gregmize01]

NICE!

[@Moonshot568]

LOVE fender custom shop ❤

[@LGAustralia]

If you can ever buy from them.

[@Moonshot568]

@@LGAustralia visa,master card ,American express… worth it ;)

[@brunoantony9257]

so. . .the "masterbuilt" guitars are pretty much built 90% on the regular production line. Interesting. Good thing they only charge 7-9k for those.

[@LGAustralia]

And that's if you get the privilege of paying that. 90% of customers will never get access to CS parts, despite the dealer contact claims.

[@bluebellstraps8155]

That jaguar ….. omg amazing

[@JimDewdGuitars]

Love these videos! Would love to see a kiesel factory tour next!

[@Wrecktoid]

Maiden! 🤘

[@ianmartens5286]

I'm diggin that Saskatchewan license plate!

[@JONNIE_ROCKER]

Jay is the Man

[@kushking420]

The alligator looked to me at first like "Trogly guitar show" lol. He needs to show more Fender guitars

[@dannyperfect9270]

Ahhhh that Jaguar!

[@richardnagamitsu1582]

That Jag must rock!

[@rockeroller]

Bring back the standard with Lace Sensors! The "strat plus".

[@Ostin3232]

Amazing playing! Dude you must make video and tell you guitar story life! Ths

[@roaddog7542]

That Jaguar.... 😲

[@heavyjoechipman3594]

I've watched a bunch of these factory tours of my favorite guitar, bass, amp, and drum manufacturers here on youtube. I gotta tell you this. Its so much better when the person giving the tour is a really cool person, and the person receiving the tour is a really cool person. No hangups. Just a love for all things music. Thanks for this one ya'll! 🎸🎶❤

[@rareform6747]

Allways gibson , it's about time fender ! 💥

[@igavehimadollar3354]

I’m an Aussie and I love my fender guitars. They are my pride and joy

[@ADR.Hi-Gain]

I noticed that Jerry Garcia's Strat has a "round " string tree like my 56 CS Relic=" 10/56 V-Neck" after that was butterfly string tree.

[@TheLambLive]

With all this modern technology and CNC automation, one really does wonder why (adjusting for inflation) a decent Telecaster now costs many times what it did back in the 50's when everything was done by hand.

[@troyjones2358]

Custom Shop is the only way to go.

[@mrmetal1276]

Live after death flag 🤘🤘 love it

[@OhanaFilms]

I just can’t get on board with relics. I think they have taken the magic out of real vintage guitars.

[@thedude7726]

That jerry guitar better come with some blotter paper in that spring cavitity ;)

[@IvesMarcelin]

C'est les Sommes Rassemblées de fines connaissances de tout les Modèles stratocaster....🤗😍👍

[@PurposefulPorpoise]

Langcaster guitars made all Kaori wood guitars if i remember, beautiful wood, very difficult to work with

[@caiusmadison2996]

That Alligator guitar looks like the one Bill Carson held in the Stratocaster book.

[@sparkyguitar0058]

When I got my Amer deluxe plus Strat in the 90's, the guitar magazines called it as close to custom shop as they make. Here 26 yrs later I still look at that guitar as art then get sensible and pick it up and play. Get excited by that guitar every time still. Even if it's in butt ugly yellow color.

[@logotrikes]

Factories around the world could make a Fender copy every bit as good as a real Fender. The one thing they can't replicate is the Fender name. As good as these clones might become, they aren't made in a Fender factory. This is why folks pay the justifiable premium for the real thing, an authentic Fender...

[@bigtorrisi]

Fender custom shop is Fender USA same company and same building and same woods Gibson Custom Shop is its own company and own building and own woods.

[@thomkopal1740]

Would love this video even more if there was more discussion about how the guitars actually sound. Do the Garcia guitars sound like each other? What were the impressions from the estate representative when comparing to the original's sonic character? And what sonic character might be imparted by the 50,000 year old Jag wood? Let's get beyond the surface looks, please!

[@PaulCooksStuff]

The owner who paid handsomely for a masterbuilt Kauri Jag might want to be the first to play it, not hear it weeks ahead of delivery demoed to shop tour random visitors. Your needs come second.

[@chasinguitars]

How is that wood 50k years old when the earth is less than 10k years old.... God bless

[@azrieesp]

FEAR OF THE DARK!!!!

[@thomasmiller2986]

I love the dudes enthusiasm to the jerry Garcia guitar. And it’s a cool guitar. But who’s gonna buy that if they’re making more than a few of them

[@thomasmiller2986]

100

[@HBSuccess]

CNC = Computer Navigated Cutter? Only in S. Cal. 😂😂😂 LMFAO

[@mattdoliver1984]

I’d love the opportunity to work at Fender

[@OzziePete1]

Be careful what you wish for. People like Andy are one in amongst thousands of workers and when you start there, well, you will be doing very menial jobs in repetition. It's a factory. You work hard and at the end of the day, you will have aching muscles and stiffness in muscles you never knew you had. Start at the bottom and work your way up. Many don't go above a few grades in seniority.

[@georgespencer3973]

@@OzziePete1 Yeah, thankfully there are people who do those jobs. Watching this video I was thinking “ There is no way I could do any of the tasks shown without losing my mind."

[@misfitslayer]

I said the same thing. If you’re an actual Master Builder it’s a great gig. It’s a weird place to work, I’ll say that. The Master Builders themselves are great guys and most are pretty happy. A lot of production issues and constant fighting between all the departments. Managers are ruining Fender from the top down. I always tell people now that I’m gone, if you like hotdogs don’t ever work in a hotdog factory lol!

[@gadymarcus2362]

Magnifico.🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑

[@jebusgod]

i think the nex guitar i will buy will be a CS, be it a fender or gibson, but if its a fender it'll be an early 60's type strat in shell pink

[@thebaneofyourexistence.3377]

I’ve got the American original 60s in shell pink, superb instrument

[@joeking433]

Never heard a CNC machine called a Computer Navigated Cutter. Always thought it was Computer Numerical Control.

[@NintenDub]

I want that fuckin jag.....I mean come on.thats a work of fuckin art

[@ADR.Hi-Gain]

Premier Guitar Rules !!!!

[@JaoART1]

One day I asked John Cruz, do you remember how this guitar was made? He laughed and said that they brought him certificates to sign. ) Here 's the truth about Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt

[@kengibbens5059]

Austin is from our area in Saskatchewan

[@jasoncarlson7867]

Really cool tour! Wasn’t expecting to see a Saskatchewan license plate hanging up in the Custom Shop!