Fender Mod Shop Strat Unboxing and Review

[@josephrodriguez2764]

OMG 😮 nice choice brother. Old school Charvel style. 🤘.

[@WesGuitaroholics]

Thanks so much! I absolutely love this guitar; it’s so unique but can still do classic Strat tones. The Shawbuckers are stellar pickups, and the mahogany mellows the tone nicely. I appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment, and welcome to the Guitaroholic family! Rock On!!!🤘🏻😎🤘🏻

[@Edwardobartolo]

HH reverse headstock, wow! Love it!

[@WesGuitaroholics]

Thank you! I absolutely LOVE this guitar! There is just something about an American made guitar, especially one made just for you. The Shawbuckers are fantastic pickups and the playability is like butter. In a world where it’s hard to find a bad guitar, Fender stepped up and made an amazing guitar 🎸 I appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment. I recently dropped an unboxing and review of the Squire Paranormal Esquire Deluxe; it is a cool little single pup that punches way above its price tag. Check it out if you have the time. Rock On!!!🤘🏻😎🤘🏻

[@Edwardobartolo]

@@WesGuitaroholics yea I’ll definitely check out the squire too. That’s currently what I’m rocking with. How do you feel about the overall quality of the mod shop? I’ve seen conflicting reports and it’s made me nervous about making a purchase

[@WesGuitaroholics]

I bought my Mod Shop Strat in 2020, so I can’t speak to current quality. But I can say that mine is one of the best guitars I’ve ever played. It is truly neck and neck with my Les Paul Modern, and that’s an amazing guitar! I just don’t think you can beat getting exactly what you want in an American guitar and not paying custom shop prices. If you have the means to do so, I’d say go for it! 3 years in and I still love this axe! I feel something guttural every time I pick it up. But please, if you do order one, PLEASE share some pics with the Guitaroholic family!

[@robbphillips2845]

This is epic, always wondered how these would end up.

[@galaxieman24]

Love it! I just ordered a reverse headstock with the hard tail bridge.

[@WesGuitaroholics]

That’s awesome! Let me when you get it; I’d love to hear it!

[@blood_red_sinnamon_official]

Revered headstock gang I got a mod shop strat thats basically a modernized 70s mocha strat

[@BA-vv4jy]

How long did it take to arrive? I ordered mine about 20 days ago.

[@galaxieman24]

I think it was right around 30 days.

[@denma1778]

Bro!!! As a big fan of strats,I gotta say that thing is so fricking beautiful!!!

[@WesGuitaroholics]

Thanks man! I LOVE this guitar! Thanks for watching 👍🏻 Checked out your channel; good stuff! Keep jammin’!

[@denma1778]

That's so nice of you thank you. I subscribed back to you too.

[@jmdyt3626]

This looks amazing man, can tell how much you love it and how passionate you are about guitar, I live in the uk and just bought a mod shop strat a couple days ago, I got it in Aztec gold, with a full rosewood neck, gold hardware, hss configuration with a black pearloid pickguard and locking tuners, I’m really looking forward to getting it was abit sad at first because it said 8-10 weeks but then yesterday got an email that said they’d start building it soon and that I’d get it shipped within 30 days

[@WesGuitaroholics]

That’s fantastic! I’m so happy you’re getting your dream guitar built by the good folks at Fender. I have lived with mine for a while now, and I still become giddy with excitement every single time I open that case. I hope you send pics or a vid when you get it! Thank you for taking the time to share, and welcome to the Guitaroholic family! I absolutely LOVE my little channel is reaching people across the globe; music (and guitar addition!) is universal. Rock On!!!🤘🏻😎🤘🏻

[@cmkilcullen8176]

That's a beauty ! Best of health and joy playing that gorgeous strat, brother! Nicely done.

[@WesGuitaroholics]

Thank you!!! So sorry I missed this comment 3 months ago when you posted! I truly appreciate the view and comment, and yes… the Mod Shop Strat is still my favorite. The Les Paul Modern is a close second, but the fact this Fender was made for me? Unbeatable! I just reviewed a guitar that’s about a quarter of the price, so check it out if you have half an hour to kill. Thanks for taking the time to comment! Rock On!!!🤘🏻😎🤘🏻

[@robbphillips2845]

Sounds beautiful, I bet your stoked with it.

[@WesGuitaroholics]

Thanks, I absolutely love it! It’s been in the family since 2020 and I still get a rush every single time I open the case. I am fortunate enough to have a couple guitars that were made for me, but that Mod Shop Strat has a place of honor. I appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment; if this is your first time on the channel, welcome to the Guitaroholic family! Rock On!!!🤘🏻😎🤘🏻

[@N1ckSmith]

That guitar sounds absolutely fantastic. I can tell why you got emotional I would too

[@WesGuitaroholics]

Thank you! I still get a bit verklempt every time I pick it up 😁

[@caiusmadison2996]

@@WesGuitaroholics Talk amongst yourselves, I'll give you a topic.... Gretsch 2020 offering isn't quite reverend but its not like a Gibson either.. ok discuss.

[@caiusmadison2996]

For what its worth, there is a mahogany stratocaster similar to this in that you see the wood, its a transparent red, large headstock, blacked over like a Gibson has, and is HSS. Around 06'-09' area. Black tip vibrato arm, and black pickups, black pickguard. May have had black chrome hardware. Was awesome, but traded for a good Ibanez S series. Money wise, I lost, guitars wise, I'd say it's a draw. Edit* this was a USA model of some sort, though I do not know what series it was.. 2 point trem.

[@WesGuitaroholics]

@@caiusmadison2996 dude, that’s hilarious!🤣 Sounds like a cool guitar, but you really can’t knock Ibanez, so you probably did alright on the trade. I have 4, including a Sweetwater exclusive 7 and a Jem JR. Even the cheap ones play great 👍🏻 Sorry... getting a bit verklempt!

[@caiusmadison2996]

@@WesGuitaroholics yep lol the thing was a beast, but I had two strats, so it needed to be the one to go as one was my first USA, so special to me, and the other is one of my father's guitars, so I must care for and keep it as well. The S series was interesting, being so thin. They play awesome, sound great, but I justified this by telling myself I'd get the hmt tele set neck. Thats mahogany, with maple neck, dual humbuckers not sure what kind, transparent red, natural, and blue. Awesome guitars, and have a carved maple top too.

[@hartleyshandcrafted]

got me a mod shop strat last year before the pandemic. man has it saved my life and its the best guitar i own. lovin yours too!

[@WesGuitaroholics]

Thanks man, that’s awesome! What options did you get? I’d love to hear it!

[@adriyanmusic]

It's always nice to see guitar Unboxing videos and to see that smile of ppls face like a happy kids while taking the guitar in his/ her hands ... My friend I hope you are having a lot of fun with your new bebe Enjoy may the music always be with you my brother...

[@WesGuitaroholics]

Thank you! I love my Strat and will be shooting another video with him today. Thanks for taking the time to check out the channel and I appreciate your comment! Rock on!!!🤘🏻😎🤘🏻

[@adriyanmusic]

@@WesGuitaroholics of course dude ...

[@Ottophil]

The skunk stripe is not added rigidity. Its covering up the truss rod. Which is

[@WesGuitaroholics]

Yup, I was thinking about multi piece necks. But despite that faux pas, it is one hell of an instrument 🎸 I got that Strat in 2020, and it still gives me a rush every time I open the case! Thanks for watching and commenting! Rock On!!!🤘🏻😎🤘🏻

[@vincent2053]

Very cool. I wish there was an option to match the headstock paint job with the body

[@caiusmadison2996]

There used to be, but now Fender wants to reserve that for its Anniversary models and the artist models, FSR, Limited Edition, and some new extension to the American Ultra line, is the real reason why.

[@JoaoNuno1995]

to adjust the pop in arm you have 1 or 2 little hex screws in the trem block. if you "dive bomb" your tremolo you can see on the back of the trem-block one of them

[@WesGuitaroholics]

Those screws adjust the swing of the arm more than the clip that holds it in place. Now that I’ve had the guitar a bit, the arm goes in and out easier. Good thing, or I would have had to take the bridge off to access the clip! Honestly I think the lower screw (not the one you can access by diving the bridge) has more to do with the ease of the swing; I backed the top screw all the way out trying to make it easier to insert the arm and it was still nice and tight once installed.

[@dwojcik1000]

It’s pretty cool that you can get your own custom guitar/dream guitar. Looks killer, some day I’ll be able to afford one.

[@WesGuitaroholics]

Oh yeah, I still have a hard time believing I got exactly what I wanted! Start saving and check the Mod Shop occasionally and see if any new options have been added. If you do order one, please send me pictures!

[@caiusmadison2996]

@@WesGuitaroholics the one thing I didn't like was they clipped the matching headstock option. There was a strat i once had that was a limited edition, from 09'. It's an American Standard of the time dead to rights, but that year, they issued 5 models (not the believed 3 models, more on that in a second as noted with an asterisk) the three classic color models, Fiesta Red, Suea Foam Green, Daphne Blue, "Ebony" *(Black, with all black hardware with an ebony fretboard as well) and " Ivory" *(Olympic White, with all stark white hardware). These all had matching headstock, and 250 in Stratocasters, 250 in Telecasters. I bought a pair, the Strat, and the Tele, in the Fiesta Red finish. I loved those guitars. They where doing something special that year, as any model I have ever played from 09' was STELLAR. If ya find a Fender from that year, pick it up and take note of this. As you find more 09' models specifically, you'll see what I mean. I traded the Tele for a Strat with humbuckers (HH) and it was from 2010. One year, shot the quality in the foot so bad, that the plate on the trem popped free of the block to no fault of mine own. I felt just robbed, knowing dozens of models just one year earlier, where absolute winners. I came into some money around that time. Its gone now, but I took a bunch of high-school buddies and my music pals to Samuel's Music in Effingham, IL. We all walked out with a brand new USA strat. We all still jam to this day on our partners in crime. They are all 2009 models, and all are exemplary. Sorry so long, but thought I should turn ya on to what seems to be an absolute.

[@jonathanficco8384]

Beautiful guitar. I hope your still enjoying it. I’m waiting for a few added options before pulling the trigger on one

[@WesGuitaroholics]

Thank you! I absolutely love this guitar! In fact, I will be using it as the basis of a series of videos on customization and signature series guitars, so watch out for that in the next couple weeks. What options are you hoping to get on yours?

[@jonathanficco8384]

@@WesGuitaroholics i really would like the contoured heel like the pro is offering and maybe black hardware.

[@WesGuitaroholics]

@@jonathanficco8384 oh yeah, that contoured heel is pretty sweet! I was a bit surprised that wasn’t an option, but the standard does not get in the way. The main thing I would like to see is natural satin finish... and if I’m being greedy, a mahogany neck with a reverse headstock option! I actually have my Strat out and next to me right now. When work gets to be too much, stringed therapy is right there waiting! Let me know if you pull that trigger!

[@jonathanficco8384]

@@WesGuitaroholics hell yea man. Definitely why I couldn’t work from home haha I’d never get anything accomplished. I’m enjoying my pro 2 for now. I check every few weeks to see if they add the heel.

[@tonydoberman21]

Can tell you really love it man, awesome!

[@WesGuitaroholics]

Thanks! Nearly a year later and I still love this guitar! It is truly something special. Thanks for watching!

[@NicholasANappiNick]

Sounds great 🤞

[@WesGuitaroholics]

Thank you! I have lived with this guitar a couple years now, and I still feel giddy every time I open that case 😁 I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Rock On!!!🤘🏻😎🤘🏻

[@josephvega3763]

Fuckin hell yea!! I was sold once i saw the reverse headstock!! Congrats

[@WesGuitaroholics]

Thank you! That is one of my favorites, and I reach for that Strat all the time. The reverse headstock was a must have; I idolized Kirk Hammett and Jimi Hendrix and had to pay tribute. Thanks so much for watching and taking the time to comment! I should have a new unboxing up in a couple days (if fuckin’ FedEx doesn’t delay again!) so check back soon. Rock On!!!🤘🏻😎🤘🏻

[@josephvega3763]

@@WesGuitaroholics fuckin fedex is right sir!! And hell yea ill be back on for the next unboxing!!

[@lofijunky]

such a beautiful build man. definitely considering getting a mod shop for my next guitar

[@kidgrunge9607]

I’m a Tele guy but man, that’s a beauty. I’ve got my Tele on the way and I can’t wait!

[@WesGuitaroholics]

That’s awesome! What options did you get?

[@kidgrunge9607]

@@WesGuitaroholics it was tough but I went with a silverburst finish, vintage 58 pickups, rosewood fretboard, and locking tuners

[@WesGuitaroholics]

@@kidgrunge9607 that sounds awesome, man! I hope you’ll share some pics and videos when you get it!

[@davemonroig5358]

Awesome guitar I just ordered a strat from the mod shop also.

[@WesGuitaroholics]

That’s awesome! Please share some pics or a video when you get it; I’d love to see what you built!

[@kitoyobeni1]

I spec'ed something similar but haven't pulled the trigger yet. Clear mahogany with mahogany neck, HSS v mod, black plastics and pickguard, gold hardware, locking tuners, deluxe 2 pt trem, deluxe case. Right now they aren't starting any new builds until January, so maybe I'll reconsider around tax return time.

[@WesGuitaroholics]

I didn’t realize they aren’t starting any new builds through the holidays; bummer! But that gives you time to make sure it is exactly what you want. Sounds like a great build! Mahogany on mahogany should sound nice and dark and rich. Hope you get it!

[@Astro_-im2jl]

Ay your getting a subscribe great vid keep up the good work

[@WesGuitaroholics]

Thanks so much for the sub and the support! I’m looking forward to hearing that Bluesboy!

[@thelowmein9143]

They don’t seem to have the same options anymore lol. Small thing, but the only option for mahogany now is red, not natural.

[@ordinalkirk]

Congratulations!. Very nice guitar.

[@stingraydelgadillo60]

Hey Wes how you doing? That's a sweet guitar. Man I'm stoked about what I'm about to tell. I am not big on whammy bars so 95% of the guitars I buy are Hard Tail models. I just found out Squier for 2021 is coming out with a Hard Tail on the new Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT priced at $429 and the big thing about the guitar is they have a roasted maple neck.I was going to buy the Fender Robert Cray HT for 950 but I think I will get the Squier instead. Just a little tidbit of info for ya. Hope your doing well bro.

[@WesGuitaroholics]

What’s up, buddy! I just checked out the Contemporary Stratocaster Special HT and that looks like a cool little guitar! Really can’t beat the price vs quality with these Squires; I have 4 (one from the 80’s!) and they’re great instruments. Now you got me looking at the one with the 2 point trem! Roasted maple with the sculpted heel and the unique pickup configuration at that price is freakin’ awesome!

[@stingraydelgadillo60]

@@WesGuitaroholics I thought you might like that guitar. Yeah man it looks like a seriously good guitar and being able to get it in a hard tail is just perfect for me. I cant afford to build a Fender hard tail from the Mod shop so this Squier will be perfect for me. Squier has really upped their game.

[@stingraydelgadillo60]

I was looking at that guitar again, think after I get my Schecter PT Special paid off from zZounds I'll get that Contemporary HT in the sunset metallic, man that Squier looks sweet.

[@oldgoattheantichrist3468]

I've been thinking about getting a Mod Shop guitar. IN my research your video came up. Thanks for the great review. How do you feel about your guitar today? Fender did not come out with a Professional II Jaguar so I've been thinking of ordering one from Mod Shop. I think you sealed the deal for me my man. \m/ \m/

[@WesGuitaroholics]

Did I just turn the Antichrist on to Fender? MëTâL horns in the air!!! I still absolutely LOVE this guitar! In fact, I have put together a Mod Shop Tele and am currently trying to talk myself out of it… it’s a losing battle. I have to say, this Strat is one of the most versatile instruments I have, and that’s out of a family of 46. It’s what I reach for first for inspiration. There’s something about picking up a guitar MADE FOR YOU that’s just… boner inducing. I mean, average price is around $2k, so you can definitely spend less, but if you can swing it you won’t regret it. Buddy, if you get it I wanna see pictures! Thanks for watching and rock on! 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻

[@johnluty7621]

Heyy bud, if possible can you post more videos with your new mod shop Strat. Absolutely beautiful guitar by the way. I’m waiting on the arrival of mine. But yeah. I wanna see more videos of this beauty! Thanks dude. Stay safe in this crazy world.

[@WesGuitaroholics]

Hey man, thanks for watching! An excuse to play that awesome guitar? Yeah, I think I can make that happen! In fact, I have a buddy’s guitar here that is just begging for a head to head shootout with the Mod Shop 🎸 I’ll see if I can get that done and posted in the next couple days. What options did you get on yours? Looking forward to seeing it when you get it! Thanks buddy!

[@BA-vv4jy]

How long did it take to arrive?

[@onebad78ta]

Sweet

[@er1cmaurer]

Reverse headstock, good choice

[@WesGuitaroholics]

It was a hard choice between the reverse headstock and the all rosewood neck, but aesthetics won! The maple neck helps balance the mahogany body better than all the rosewood would have and, let’s be honest, looks way cooler! Thanks for checking out the channel!

[@kevinmusso2397]

The money moment here was you admitting it made you emotional. You can’t put a price on that. If you can’t connect to your guitar, or feel it’s a part of you, it’s time to move on. Congrats!

[@WesGuitaroholics]

Thank you! That guitar has a direct line to my soul and it brings me to an emotional place every time I pick it up, so great for song writing! I appreciate you watching!

[@kevinmusso2397]

@@WesGuitaroholics that’s what it’s all about 👊🏼🎸

[@gregkuper1387]

That was well said, Kevin.

[@andresilva8444]

The skunk stripe is to fill the trussrod channel, not for rigidity and stability.

[@robertclarkguitar]

Pretty cool choices man. Anything to get a musician to pick up the guitar or instrument. That's a good idea. Fender should offer a Squier mod shop. Hahah.

[@WesGuitaroholics]

I have to be honest, I looked at my notifications this morning and saw “Atmospheric Guitar Exploration” and had a Step Brothers moment! Did we just become best friends? Yup! Okay, now the nerding is out of the way, thanks for subscribing! I’m digging your stuff, too 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻 The Mod Shop Strat is a fantastic blend of modern and traditional and inspires new music every time I pick it up. That being said, I LOVE what they have been doing with Squire the last couple years! The current crop seems to be focusing on short scale Mustangs and the Paranormal series I think are all that 24 inch, but it’s something different instead of yet another reissue. I’m looking forward to checking out the rest of your channel. Rock on!

[@robertclarkguitar]

@@WesGuitaroholics Awe that's so cool man. Hahah thank you. Yes indeed I need to try short scale like LP or PRS one day or Music Master but I have never get the chance as I keep seeing strats hahah I want to try vintage white 50s CV. And PRS SE. Hahaha. Thanks for the support too man!!!

[@bodybuildingrocker7205]

Very nice guitar man! I’m considering having one made myself. Is the back of the neck gloss or satin finished? Thanks!

[@WesGuitaroholics]

Thanks! The neck has a very light finish, and it has never gotten tacky or sticky even after playing for a long time in hot conditions. I would prefer a true satin finish aesthetically speaking, but this does not get in the way or slow you down at all. Honestly, I really can’t find a negative thing to say about this guitar. I’ve lived with it and loved it for a while now and it just does everything I need it to, no problem. If you’re considering getting a Mod Shop, I say go for it! I couldn’t be happier with mine! Thanks for the watch! I plan to have some more content out soon. Rock on 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻

[@bodybuildingrocker7205]

Rock on brother thanks for the reply

[@noire1991]

That stripe is not for stability. That’s a piece of walnut to cover the hole that they routed to put the truss rod

[@WesGuitaroholics]

You are absolutely right! I heard somewhere along the way that it was to increase rigidity, and it made sense to me because I figured the truss rod would be installed before the fretboard went on. I just read on Fender’s site about the bullet truss rod necessitating the rear installation AND NOTHING ABOUT STABILITY! You really do learn something new every day! THANK YOU for correcting me and teaching me something new!

[@joecasserole9077]

Very Nice Guitar! Last Christmas this video helped me decide to order one and I don’t regret it at all. It is pretty much the perfect guitar for me. This video helped a lot with my decisions because they really don’t tell you everything on the website like as the 5 way switch that you got.

[@WesGuitaroholics]

That’s fantastic!!! Thank you so much for letting me know; I am thrilled that the review helped you decide! It is kinda strange Fender gives you so little information on the Mod Shop site, but I guess they figure “it’s a Fender, you’re gonna love it.” So what did you get? If you do a video with it, I’d love to see it! Thanks again for making my day! Keep on jammin’!

[@joecasserole9077]

@@WesGuitaroholics I’ll probably do a video of me playing it in the future. I got fiesta red with a maple neck and fretboard and a white pick guard. I got the neck and bridge shawbuckers with the vmod single coil in the middle. They all sound really good and the shawbuckers split very well with the vmod in positions 2 and 4. I got locking tuners and I got the cheaper bridge because I prefer how it looks and it stays in tune very well for a long time. When it was finally done it was supposed to have two day shipping but fedex took two weeks and every time I called them they said that it should come soon. One time I called them and they said it was lost then an hour after that it updated and said it would arrive tomorrow. That was all very annoying but when I got it it was totally worth it. The pickups did not disappoint one bit. Thanks for the video and have fun playing!

[@timcambre8564]

I was really hoping that you'd pull a Voltron action figure out of that box....but I guess the guitar is pretty nice too.

[@WesGuitaroholics]

Voltron the Movie? Doh! Yeah man, the Strat is badass but, like pretty much all things, pales in comparison to Voltron. The guitar is amazing, but not a defender of the universe.

[@nizodizo9549]

The intonation looks like it may have been done.

[@jayteesgear]

Wow yesss!!!

[@seeskwayrd221]

That's a sweet guitar!

[@randomguitarnote8887]

Bro that tone is so thick, mahogany doing its business.

[@eddycurrent413]

do you have feedback problems?

[@WesGuitaroholics]

No feedback issues, and I’m playing in a fairly small space. Maybe I’m just lucky, but I haven’t even had feedback problems with semi-hollows run through this setup.

[@eddycurrent413]

@@WesGuitaroholics thanks i was reading about those pickups and saw they were not wax potted. I was just curious

[@WesGuitaroholics]

No feedback, and I love the way they sound and how responsive they are! Shawbuckers are LEGIT!!!

[@nothingheretowatch7371]

😍 I looks awsome how much did it cost ?

[@WesGuitaroholics]

Tax pushed it just over $2K. Definitely a case of you get what you pay for! LOVE that guitar!

[@snarlingrabiddog5150]

My hair grew four inches watching this video.

[@WesGuitaroholics]

First of all, you’re welcome! Enjoy the new locks, my friend. Secondly, thanks for watching.

[@jogmas12]

You don’t look happy

[@WesGuitaroholics]

Are you being facetious? In that video I unboxed my dream guitar, then was overcome with emotion first hearing it plugged in. That was a very happy day! Now that I’ve lived with the Mod Shop Strat for a while, I’m happy to report it makes me smile every single time I pick it up. I appreciate the view and you taking the time to comment. Rock on!🤘🏻😎🤘🏻