Gibson Custom Shop Vs Fender Custom Shop Who is getting your next order?

Baxter and Jonathan talk about the main differences between ordering from the Fender Custom shop and the Gibson Custom Shop. We talk Masterbuilt and Tom Murphy and Murphy labs, and what it's like buying a custom off the shelf vs doing your own spec guitar.
www.casinoguitars.com

[@cvachon7]

Chiming in to note how great it is working with the guys at Casino for a Fender CS shop order. They really delight in their work and know how to work with the client to get the best guitar in their hands.

[@caiusmadison2996]

It'd be Fender is anything, but they've convinced themselves roadworn 50's and 60's are all they have to make, and frankly, so many personalities are to blame for allowing run of the mill cookie cuttery from the custom shop. If all ya want is the same thing they always made anyways but beat up, the custom shop stops being a dream factory, and becomes another factory floor with a cooler badge.

[@andrewhess2978]

True story

[@paullavallee1631]

The standard in either model is good enough for me

[@user-tz2zz5ij1s]

The issue I ran into specing out a fender custom shop was the overwhelming amount of choices. I even had a hard time figuring out the color. I bailed on the process and then spent a few months going around to nice guitar shops in Austin and Houston until I found the one that was just hanging on the rack. Turns out I’m more of a the guitar finds me type, regardless of how much money I’m willing to spend.

[@ryangunwitch-black]

I swear Heavy Relic CS Strats were averaging $3k on the top end just a year ago. That price hike is wild. Thank goodness for the AVII. I just hope they’ve stepped up QC by the time mine ships. My old man got a Custom shop Gibson SG two years ago for like $3900. Those increases seem even more egregious. HOWEVER lol My dad’s SG is basically a perfect, not to mention beautiful, machine with all the vibe and mojo for which one could possibly ask. But so is my MIM Road Worn Stratocaster.

[@Pasadena_Music]

They aren’t selling to skill level, they are selling to income levels. Guitar players don’t understand that and complain about prices.

[@blacklion401]

Great comment. It’s a business.

[@devilsguitaristmusic]

Absolutely. These brands offer multiple guitars at every price point you could imagine. Just because they make guitars that cost more than you can afford, so what? It's ok for brands to offer choices, every product doesn't have to be for every single person.

[@danielcavazos5009]

When fools pay those outrageous prices for guitars, the prices will continue to go up. If you have a les Paul standard does the Murphy lab play 10x better? That's the price difference. I just don't think so.

[@devilsguitaristmusic]

@danielcavazos5009 So a LP Standard is roughly $3k, a Murphy Lab isn't $30k which is what 10 times $3k would be. But a Murphy Lab isn't a Standard either, it'll be something like an R9. Most Murphy Lab aren't even 2 times what non Murphy Lab equivalent is. But all that is really besides the point. Can you buy a guitar that's in your price range? Yes, so who cares. Not everything is made for everyone and it shouldn't be. Guitars are geared towards specific players. I don't understand why people get so up in arms about this stuff for. I can't afford a Murphy Lab, so what? If people are buying them and enjoying them and I'm buying and enjoying the guitars that I can afford, everyone should be happy. Too many people seem to think every single guitar has to be exactly what they want at the price they want.

[@manofthepeople2165]

@@danielcavazos5009adjusted for inflation, prices have not gone up significantly, or in the case of fender, prices have gone down. Prices are influenced by a number of supply and demand factors. Obviously people wanting to buy expensive guitars affects the demand side, but the supply side involves the cost of labor in America, cost of the wood, cost of factory overhead, cost of the equipment , and inflation. Custom shop guitars have higher prices because they cost significantly more to make. It’s not a matter of, this fender custom shop costs the same as a squier or a player to make, but fender is just choosing to arbitrarily price it in the tens of thousands. At the end of the day, guitars come in various different price points and you can buy the right tool for your needs. For some musicians, a custom shop fits their needs better than a budget or mid-tier guitar. For most beginners and students, a budget, made in China or indonesia guitar with a good setup is perfectly fine.

[@PC85X]

I'd go to a local luthier builder for those prices and get something a bit different, but if we are discussing just these two, I'd go Fender. Just prefer Telecasters over anything Gibson does, and I think the spec choice they offer is superior.

[@Barry101er]

"It is better to go the shelter to get your next dog, than off some breeder."

[@cromBumny]

If your sure you will never be concerned with resale (you are financially super secure) or don't care at all about brand... sure Id agree.

[@scottkidwellmusic9175]

I love the looks of the Custom Shop guitars, and I can appreciate the craftsmanship in the build process. All of those guitars are better than my playing ability after ~40 years. I still find myself cruising pawn shops and the used section of guitar shops. Mostly for the affordability, and I'm pretty picky about how the guitars fit and feel in my hands

[@CKS64]

Great videos with worthwhile content thank you.

[@BillySoundFarm]

I used to have an interest in fender custom Shop. Now I think if I went with something like that I wouldn't prefer a smaller builder. Also, it kind of defeats the purpose of what fender guitars were supposed to be. They were supposed to be easy to mass produce while still being good. I'm thinking that vein, I'd rather have an American professional ii. But if you gave me a custom Shop for my birthday or something, I wouldn't be sad. 😂

[@rylieriley]

Speaking from my experience with Gibson and Fender Custom Shop guitars, the entry level models can be nice (they often feel and sound noticeably better than the standard production models), but it's the higher end custom shop guitars from both companies that come closest to the feel of a vintage guitar. An exceptional specimen of a vintage guitar will generally be more desirable (if you can afford the cost), but a well made Gibson or Fender custom shop guitar is nothing to sneeze at and is a genuine pleasure to play and bond with. They aren't exactly cheap either, though 😄. Having said that, I've occasionally played guitars from both custom shops that I found to be uninspiring and not worth the extra cost.

[@noelmcmahon4566]

Got both and hardly play them...playing my Squiers and Epihone Casino

[@primeDecomposition]

I had a CS 60th Anniversary R9, it was NOT significantly better than my two 60’s Standards. It maybe edged ever so slightly in playability and that’s about it, sounded a bit more vintage too due to the Custombuckers (unpotted tho and way more prone squealing at gig volumes/gain). I play a lot more than just dad-rock blooze licks too (but I enjoy those too lol), so I think I give a pretty good assessment. Sold the R9 just ‘cause I was never gonna be taking that thing to gigs.

[@THEItchybruddah]

Love to see y’all’s take on the PRS custom shoppe.

[@bigtex7361]

Just got Eric Johnson Blonde Stratocaster and WOW!! 🎸 Great guitar that feels custom shop.

[@CameraLaw]

Love the choices. Wonderful to have so many specs to dream about. And both custom shops keep the building techniques and vibe of the past alive. It also allows Gibson and Fender to know what stock customers would like to see on the shelves. I’ll bet the custom shop helped Fender to develop the American Vintage II series. Many here have mentioned that as a viable and less costly alternative route.

[@jeremy_p]

I just started saving for my next guitar. I am going to buy a Gibson Custom Shop. I am going back and fourth on which one as I do like the R7 Goldtop, R8 (as my bday is 5/8 lol) and the Ebony custom. All around the 5k mark. I figure its going to take me about 3 years to have the cash and have time to decide. But man, all 3 of those are sooooo tempting! I currently own a 50s USA 2003 Standard in Heritage Cherry. The pickguard was signed by the man himself! I met Les Paul about 4 months before he passed. Gibson had a meet and greet at a local Sam Ash. I got to meet Les Paul and got a cool tour of the bus which is AWESOME.

[@Panic42000]

I can’t believe a Fender custom strat would be even close to the same price of a custom les Paul. A Les Paul seems way harder to build then a Strat or tele. A tele is basically two pieces of wood bolted together and they charge thousands for that? Wow! Guitar prices have become just outrageous.

[@southernpanda33]

You just described most guitars.

[@ryangunwitch-black]

Also, your videos and lighting are looking fantastic ❤

[@swaffy101]

Gibson. Just bought a 1958 les paul standard. So good!

[@GreenyBlues]

Been promising myself a custom shop Tele for my 60th birthday for 20+ years. Candy Apple sparkle green would be the preference. In the meantime I’m still playing my 25 year old Japanese Tele and am about to upgrade the pick ups to Bare Knuckles. It’s possible that will satisfy me as it is.

[@jessenethery9210]

If you have the discipline to plan and save for 20 years, my friend you deserve it.

[@somebodyelseuk]

I finally got my CS Tele last week and I've got a couple of CS Les Pauls. It wasn't quite the 'special occasion' when it arrived as it was with the Gibsons, but I'm not rolling in money, so it was still a big deal. It's a beauty, it feels amazing. What I've come to realise is that CS guitars are not 'massively' different to production stuff. The difference (for me) is the fine detail and finishing, and all the 'side salad' stuff - the case candy and the cases themselves, that add to the entire package. Whether it's worth the outlay depends on the individual.

[@danwilson9530]

I’d go Fender CS. More personalization available I know Gibson CS guitars are supposed to play amazingly, but so far I’m happy enough with all my Gibson USA guitars.

[@Lurch350Z]

I pulled the trigger on a Custom Shop P/J bass. It is worth absolutely every penny you spend. Yes it is a bit daunting at first, but when get to open that case for the first time…amazing

[@warlockbob5518]

PRS will get my next order!

[@simonpark843]

You guys are the Patron Saints of Blues Lawyers everywhere.

[@cageliner]

I would be quite happy with an MIM Road Worn Tele '50s. I have no funds for any custom shop from Fender or Gibson. If I was buying a custom shop Gibson, it would be a regular VOS R4.

[@jameswhite1450]

I own a Gibson ES-335 ‘59 reissue from Nashville built in ‘01. Its a beauty and neck is superb imho.

[@drippinglass]

The Journerman relic level is nice to me.

[@SirVicc]

I like a well done relic. Realism. That's why Gibson wins for me. It looks like an old used guitar. Fender CS is usually way over the top. More of a caricature of a relic. Most shops would pay a third for a real vintage guitar that came in like that. It's borderline goofy. But I saw some recent ones on an Antertons unboxing vid that were more subtle and realistic that were beautiful.

[@Sunspotting]

It's weird to see CS Telecasters when the Tele's purpose was to be built cheaply and quickly. It's hilarious to see these relics that look like they've been dragged behind a truck for a couple of miles. It wreaks of pretentiousness and Joe Strummer is probably rolling over in his grave. It's also hilarious to see someone complaining about an LP having a minor finish issues and then another paying Gibson to damage their guitar for them. The world is a crazy place. All (or most?) of our guitar heroes brought the standard guitar that they could afford that weren't specially made and sometimes picked up in pawn shops or were outright fakes like Slash. The wear that we love came from actually playing. There's a lesson to be learned there...

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

HA! Been saying the same thing for several years. Its insanity. One you tuber will be praising a "relic" job and then in another video he is whining and sighing over a 50 yr old Les Paul Custom with NATURAL wear and tear from actually being played and aging from sitting in a case for 50+ years. "Oh gheesh, look at that ding, oh man, look at those scuffs on the back, one of the strap buttons has been replaced and on and on." Which is it? So, a guitar that has actually aged and been played is bad? But a new guitar made to look 50+ years at 5000+ grand is good? WhackOs! Wait, another one is, A guy will have a $3,000 LP or Fender he banged or knocked it over and chipped the finish or gouged it and freaks out and takes it to a shop for a repair but then buys a relic guitar that has be purposely dinged and gouged. haha

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

HA! Been saying the same thing for several years. Its insanity. One you tuber will be praising a "relic" job and then in another video he is whining and sighing over a 50 yr old Les Paul Custom with NATURAL wear and tear from actually being played and aging from sitting in a case for 50+ years. "Oh gheesh, look at that ding, oh man, look at those scuffs on the back, one of the strap buttons has been replaced and on and on." Which is it? So, a guitar that has actually aged and been played is bad? But a new guitar made to look 50+ years at 5000+ grand is good? WhackOs! Wait, another one is, A guy will have a $3,000 LP or Fender and he accidentally banged it or knocked it over and chipped the finish or gouged and he freaks and takes it to a shop for a repair but then buys a relic guitar that has be purposely dinged and gouged. haha

[@ahoneyman]

Hmmm you do know the Joe Strummer black paint job and the Noise stenciled on it was a marketing gimmick cooked up by the manager right? The Sex Pistols were popular so they brought their gear to a body shop to "punk it up" like the Sex Pistols. It wasn't some organic thing it was well and truly planned.

[@tomshoemaker662]

Own both. Gibson '59 VOS 335/355 up next. Love my Fender CS guitars, but REALLY wish they would release more NOS up to say Relic Ready level. So many of their heavy relic Strats and Teles are just way over the top! My Gibson R4 LP is fantastic as well and their relic'ing is FAR more tasteful for my wants.

[@alangreenway6695]

I bought a Gibson Custom Shop Lefty LP 58 Goldtop before they were called R8’s. Lovely baseball bat neck and beautiful warm pickups. The shop had ordered in a 54, 57, 58, and 60 in left handed, and I sat in there for an hour learning what the differences were. But that was when they were £2300, not £5000. Still my favourite guitar. Historically I’ve had only one issue in 7 Gibsons as opposed to multiple problems with my 3 Fenders. I sort of want a Jazzmaster, but not with the high ticket, limited options Fender offer at the moment.

[@OrbitlynX]

What was the year when R8 did cost £2300?

[@alangreenway6695]

@@OrbitlynX Pretty sure I bought it in 2001, maybe 2002. That was for a lefty that cost 15% more than a righty equivalent.

[@SH-fm5eu]

My take has always been with vintage vs new is do you want to buy a guitar that has a soul or do you want to play a soul into one. You cant belt sand a soul into a guitar!

[@musiccreation1198]

Fwiw ...for a Strat, I went with a Michael Tuttle Custom Classic "S"... lightly relic'd, Nitro. Custom pickups, custom bridge, etc, etc. $4600. Recommended by Tim Pierce, Shawn Tubbs, Jeff McErlain, etc. Tuttle is a master builder ... starting at $3,850. Tuttle's LPs are stunning too. For a LP, I'd probably go with Gibson custom shop, but damn, Collings makes some wonderful guitars. Collings I-30, I'm looking at you.

[@77pearcearrow]

I love my APII, I almost bought a Fender Custom Shop. I was surprised how well my APII compared to it. If I went to that level it would be some crazy Gibson jazz box or one of those handmade Django guitars. So I guess I choo choo chose Gibson!

[@BrandonOutside]

Neither. I’d go PRS private stock 🤘

[@mikedr1549]

I think I would go Suhr or Anderson or something along those lines IF I ever decide to get another guitar. As it stands now I'm super happy with my stable.

[@texhaines9957]

So Baxter has a guitar modeled after his favorite stuffed animal? What animal might that be? A Montgomery Griffin?

[@jeffhuxford2870]

I’m gonna risk looking really dumb here…I would love to have a custom shop of both of these brands…and I do NOT like relic so it seems to me I save money because I like things to be “shiny and new?” We actually pay more for someone to take a pocket knife and carve paint off of a beautiful instrument…I just dont understand…I fully get some wear on the neck for playability but checking and paint chipped off does nothing for playability and it looks terrible to me…just sharing dont hate the messenger.

[@northmanlogging2769]

I just kinda wish that Gibson would release 54' 55' LP custom ish, but at not custom shop prices, maybe call it a tribute? all mahogany, p90 staple p90, ebony board, maybe skip the multi layer binding and block inlays? just a cool sounding guitar and they are frankly unobtainable to us mere mortals.

[@hod8931]

Gibson 57 lp tuxedo with v2: neck wilwood is next for me.. Then another CS tele after that one.

[@johnbriggs3916]

The description of the Fender Custom Shop is misleading in that the majority of guitars built seem to be neither custom-built nor master-built but rather off-the-shelf catalog items (FCS no longer produce a catalog, but the products are listed on the website) or dealer-event "limited editions." "Limited edition" in this sense seems to mean that they will produce as many guitars and for as long as dealers keep ordering them.

[@potterman83]

I upgraded my fender Strat was o a custom shop by selling my R0 les paul. Got a nice traditional to fill my les paul needs but I do miss my R0 so I think Gibson CS will get my next order.

[@joshuajkoplin]

Fender Masterbuilt guitars were 5 grand in 2012. I almost ordered one. You could get any possible option on a John Cruz and it wasn’t more than 5500. Wish I would have bought a few.

[@peterkoutros8190]

Gibson cs Vos R9... and hope that it sound as good as they look. I can't see paying 5 grand for a bolt on neck guitar..Masterbuilt is another story.. If I was in the market for a Fender custom guitar, I'd definitely buy it from you guys..no doubt.

[@drewrenfrow5657]

My CS Fender is a great guitar, perfect replication of a vintage spec surf green Strat, but if i objectively compare it to a LP Standard or any ES “non CS” with no regard to sound, feel, scale length, or any other player preferences…. The Gibson just looks and feels like it has more craftsmanship and is a higher end instrument. My CS Strat, while very nice, is still just a Strat… not sure it was worth the coin. If the American Vintage II line was out at that time, I would have went that route instead.

[@ryangunwitch-black]

Yeah… I was planning to order a CS Strat as my 50th approaches (don’t really know how the hell that happened) but then the AVII ‘61 Strat happened and is basically the same thing I would have spec’d out with the Custom Shop.

[@devilsguitaristmusic]

You guys didnt mention Gibson's Made to Measure, thats where you can choose the specific specs of the guitar.

[@davegallagher7428]

I sold my team build CS Tele and that was a mistake. I’m thinking of selling my Wood Library PRS so I can do that. I would love the opportunity to play some of these 10 K plus guitars just to see how much better they really are. No one carries them where I live.

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

All I know is the last 4 production line American made Fender and Gibson Guitars I have bought within the past 6 months have had serious QC issues! 2 went back and 2 I kept only because I was offered a substantial discount I couldn`t refuse.

[@DrFearCo]

What issues? I’m curious.

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

Sharp body binding, rosewood fingerboard not lined up with neck, binding not fitted to fingerboard, DNA slime on tail piece with scuff marks under the slime, truss rod strip not properly glued, nut cut so bad the high E string hanging on edge of fret and on and on. @@DrFearCo

[@materix1411]

As an owner of a Custom Shop R9 and a Custom Shop 60's Strat, you can't go wrong with either one. Choose the one that suits your playstyle and taste. Or just get both😊✌️

[@brutallyremastered4255]

Er, what?

[@materix1411]

@@brutallyremastered4255 which words confused you in my statement? 😁

[@ct90twa]

IMO, the Fender relic goes down hill quick after the Journeyman and closet classics. The heavy relic looks like it was dragged behind a car for a couple hours. Murphy Lab was bad when it started but has surpassed Fender by leaps and bounds. And the recent QC on Gibson surpasses Fender as well. Hope Fender can turn it around soon.

[@smithcustomguitarco]

murphy lab has better relic work (sometimes) than fender cs, but the lacquer on a fender cs is way better than the plastic gibson uses on their regular cs reissues

[@mikethomson4290]

You need both

[@brunoantony9257]

Sadly, Fender and Gibson CS are both too expensive to buy new now. I just got a used mint Gibson Custom Les Paul TV for $2500 cash, that's the way to go.

[@Richard_Lush]

Love both Gibson and Fender but I’ll say Fender has Gibson beat from a customization stand point. I really like the master builder option. They turn out beautifully 👍Ah who am I kidding I love em all🤣

[@cromBumny]

Something everyone misses, is that expensive guitars pay American arti a ts real wages, insurance, 401k, vacations etc. ..its not just extra money in an execs pocket

[@benlogan430]

All the Fenders on the dealer event were $8,000 and up if I remember correctly? Both custom shop prices are about the same it seems to me?

[@Journey-of-1000-Miles]

I want neither. I am OK with the Gibson USA lineup.

[@Abbynorml1979]

Same shirts... You guys should just do a weekly podcast and cover everything in a day. Do "clips" for those who like shorter videos. Special videos in between. I'd play the podcast on the weekends when I'm doing other stuff.

[@arthurlove1002]

Where do you put all those pickups on the guitar if you want 64 of em?

[@brutallyremastered4255]

I'm long happy with my hugely beaten up '78 The Paul with ebony fingerboard. I would be interested in the investment value of the two custom ventures, if any...

[@baileywatts1304]

I was thinking about how the Gibson Made to Measure program and the Fender Custom Shop aren't really competing since by the time you're thinking about a custom, you've already made the decision whether you would rather have a Fender guitar or a Gibson guitar. That really the competition for the Fender Custom Shop would be other shops that make great Fender styled guitars like Suhr, but really who else besides Gibson is offering up Gibson style guitars done at a level to compete with the Murphy Labs crew? I can't think of a single place I could go to get a Palham Blue Corvus with T-Tops with a medium relic job other than Gibson.

[@phattdaddy]

You had to talk about the Keebler elves now I’m hungry 😂

[@BAMozzy69]

If I was offered a contract with Gibson or Fender to supply me musical instruments, I'd have to go with Gibson as I prefer their range over Fenders - not just Electrics either. Therefore I would have to go with Gibson for a Custom guitar... However, I'd rather buy a 'cheap' guitar and modify it to my prefered Specs than order a Custom built guitar to 'my' specs or buy a 'Custom' built guitar off the shelf. I wouldn't buy a 'new' Private Stock - whether its part of a limited run or a one-off either - but these are 'dream' guitars that I would only consider if I had basically unlimited cash. To make 'music', I could get by with a decent used instrument and I have been fortunate enough to earn enough money to acquire a decent collection of guitars that I don't need a Custom built guitar when my guitars are incredible - even if they are not that 'unique'...

[@davedavid7061]

Johnny gets his Tom Murphy when his boy signs his NFL contract

[@baileywatts1304]

Dang, I would love a CS Fender, but that comment about offsets being so much more is kinda scary, especially since I downloaded their ordering booklet and saw no mention of Jaguar Basses at all. It's scary as heck. I do like the option for a closet classic though since I've never really liked a relicked guitar.

[@shawn_ten_toes]

Aside from finishes, there aren't really any specs I want that I can't get from a LP Standard/ Traditional or Tele American Professional. I'm not a working musician, and I can't justify the price. That being said, if I hit the powerball, I'll buy several.

[@jamesburge1983]

Prefer Fender to Gibson any day of the week. But as for who I would order from? G&L Custom shop.

[@rogercardenas111]

I'd shop around the used section for Carvin guitars. Just saying. 🎸👍🍻🍺 And some cold beers.

[@surinderpunia2804]

Does the Gibson Custom Shop Les Pauls come with a headstock crack?

[@TastyBeverage]

😂😂

[@danwilson9530]

Headstock crack & poor appearing repair relic is an extra $3K

[@eljefeguapobarbon]

Custom shop has always been doctor/lawyer money, I would rather have a bunch of different guitars than one that is so expensive. Hell, the fun is in putting one together yourself! With the left over money get a sweet 12" tube combo amplifier.

[@michaelmay9059]

Absolutely! Best comment on here so far.

[@BOOLsheet]

It’s probably not. I doubt most lawyers have any clue what Fender custom shop even is. It’s mostly music geeks, musicians and hobbyists being retarded.

[@thepostapocalyptictrio4762]

I need to see more offsets option before I would consider a Fender Custom Shop. I would like a nicer guitar, but color/etc options aren’t good for Jag/Jazzmaster/Mustang(!?)

[@grahamkelsey8687]

Had the worst experience with fender custom shop (Australia) never again!

[@joelstephen3542]

From my experience - spec a fender custom shop and buy a Gibson custom shop from cme or one of the other great shops. That said….. If you guys ever get Gibson I will pay a premium to be Murphy lab order number 001.

[@blacklion401]

I don’t like relic guitars at all. Never understood it. All about NOS or Gloss finish. Great video.

[@MayorMcCheese2000]

Elves and Dwarves is seriously the best comparison for Fender and Gibson!

[@b1heqh54]

I'll bet if you spent that kind of frivolous money, you'd be the kind of player who doesn't know the CMaj scale.

[@garrysimmons111]

Not likely to buy from either (pre-built guitars, not custom order). My local shop has in-stock (quite a few) FCS guitars on sale for 25% off, so mid-$3K. Not drawn to any of them as I'm just not into the relic thing. If I found a great deal on a light weight, lightly used R9 or R0, I'd maybe pay $4K for one. More likely to buy a used Tom Anderson or other small builder first. My price ceiling is in the $3K - $4K range. Just can't justify paying more than that and it better be pretty damn special for that money.

[@davegallagher7428]

I wish there was a store in my area they carried Fender CS guitars.

[@brunoantony9257]

what store are you referring to?

[@SteveHatzman]

To me Gibson 59 VOS is where it’s at.

[@TheWelhaven]

I don’t know. I rather buy a Maybach or Eastman instead of a CS Gibson, but the standard Gibsons are more than good enough for me. Regarding Fender, half the fun is to mod them. So buy a used MiM or US, and just make them yours.

[@DavidHBurkart]

Probably neither, but I won't say never either 😂

[@KevThomas06]

Neither, but that's my choice.

[@tier5958]

Id build my own partscasters. But a custom Gibson isnt something id try. Definitely get 1 if i could afford it

[@dw7704]

Well since I can’t afford either, the neither Not a complaint, just a comment If I had the means to buy either it would depend on what I was into at that time I could see it being either one in that case

[@mileswatkinson8135]

I don't get it myself. I don't like relicing, and really don't care about vintage specs. In my opinion guitar design has improved since the early days, so why pay a huge premium for an outdated design process? Don't get me wrong, I understand the amount of skill that goes into these CS builds, and if that's your thing, do what pleases you. Personally I'd rather run the racks and find something that pleases me. If I want specs that aren't available, I'll mod it myself. If I want something beyond basic mods, I'll build out a partscaster. The main difference in feel of a relic is the rolled edges of the fretboard, and anybody can do that. It's easy. A guitar that I've put my own effort into is more satisfying to me than something I've paid to have done. And before anyone tries to tell me I just haven't played a truly top notch CS guitar, yes, I have. I've also played some good vintage guitars. I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. If you have the money, and it's your thing, by all means, enjoy it. I'm happy buying off the shelf or building it myself.

[@yestoES355]

why do people bring in the pricepoint? It is obvious there is more labor in making most Gibson models. set necks, multi ply binding, carved tops etc when compared to the bare bones bolt on, flat body fender models such as the tele or strat. both are great, both have some gems and some misses.

[@golfrick007]

Maybe I can afford a Epiphone or Squire master build 😂

[@DE-GEN-ART]

i build custom guitars in my free time, and i hate when a client requests relic jobs. you spend 80+ hours toiling on a build, and then you sand blast it, smack it with barbed wire and chains, taking a blowtorch to finishes and alternating with spraying airduster for the finish checking. thats why a good relic on a custom is so expensive, you got to do a bunch of extra and goofy bullshit to get it like that. its very lucrative but still i dread relic jobs

[@d3ath18]

Esp custom shop gets my vote over Fender/Gibson any day

[@216trixie]

What's a floor traveler?

[@joshuajkoplin]

Spec sheet in a leather jacket that comes with a Fender CS guitar.

[@216trixie]

@@joshuajkoplin thank you. When they talk in code it's hard to know what they're saying LOL.

[@damfunk.]

My problem with fender relics is the neck wear. 99% of the time it just looks ridiculous. I don’t know why they have such a hard time making it look like actual play wear. Take a relic fender and put it next to a Nacho Banos relic and there is no comparison. Nachos look like actual vintage instruments whereas the Fender custom shops just look like amateur hour. The belt sanded back of the necks look bad. Then you have the fingerboard wear that either looks way too uniform or extremely sloppy with seemingly no rhyme or reason to the placement. You’re better off getting a NOS or Closet Classic and just playing it yourself. At least then the wear will look natural.

[@reverendg5937]

Fender Hands Down!!!! Give Fender Custom Shop Telecasters!!!!!!

[@alexwoolridge94aw]

When I finally go for a custom shop electric guitar it's definitely going to be Gibson. I cannot stand Fender guitars, lol. A master built Gretsch Sparkle Billy Bo would be my dream build though. I've playedmy fair share of custom Shop Gibsons and none of them have been better than my 2016 USA Les Paul Traditional. I have a Custom shop Martin HD28 that's the cats pajamas though. It's a journey

[@rrparker12]

I dunno. I was always a Fender fanboy, and I know this will get hate, but there is no way that ANYTHING they make is worth over $2k. The entire point of Fender was to be modular, inexpensive, easy to build. I love relics but come on! I paid $1k for my American Standard. My Indonesian RG was well under half that and feels much better. Sure, relic'ing is extra work and should cost extra but this is just corporate greed gone wild. In my opinion. We're not far from the entire new guitar market being exclusively for lawyers and dentists who want things to hang on their wall. Fender is not boutique, no matter what their marketing people tell you. What's next? $80 for a can of Coke because they had someone hand paint the can? I'm done. Sorry. Been off my meds for a couple weeks. lol

[@neiljohnsen276]

I want a Keebler elf guitar! Tone dipped in chocolate!

[@jldkrank]

Support local small builders.

[@jcallseven]

Suhr got my money

[@StaticInfinity-ts3jk]

Warmoth

[@michaelblaney4461]

These custom shops are laughing all the way to the bank!

[@stevegamiello6476]

Too many Fenders look like they were dragged down the street behind a pickup truck. They are over done and I HATE that finish over a finish. It looks like Sh*t. I’d much rather have a light aging. I do my own aging on a couple of Parts casters and saved a ton of money. I do own a 1992 Gibson Custom Shop Edition ES-350 T with a 25.5” scale in blonde, no aging at all. And it’s really fantastic( that’s before the custom shop became its own entity). Will Gibson ever get back to building archtop guitars again. I’m doubting it. Caesar seems like a metal head

[@Abbynorml1979]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="360">6:00</a> clogs

[@stephenfoley1261]

As a bass player I feel the decision isn't that difficult, just sayin.