Life After the Fender Custom Shop: Builders Who Paved Their Own Path

[@mattonthewater]

My wife surprised me for my birthday last month with a Cruz Masterbuilt. To say I’m blown away is an understatement. Now to get it setup and enjoy it for the rest of my days!

[@scottgibbs5903]

Hug that woman!

[@bottomkitchen250]

Serious respect for these guys. I can only imagine how much time they have spent simply sanding.

[@deveroe79]

I'm surprised Mike Eldred wasnt mentioned. Regardless, great video guys! Love the channel!

[@Aspkkr]

When I first seen your channel a few years ago I didn't take you to serious and even left one or two unnecessary rude comments, but over time I have figured out this is the most authentic guitar channel on KZbin. Clearly know what you are talking about, always have good takes and are truly great musicians. Glad you make videos for us to watch.

[@CasinoGuitars]

We really appreciate the honesty, and glad to have you here at the channel. We try to be honest about the business and give a peek behind the curtain. We all want feel like we are part of ridiculous community of knuckle heads that want to put out positivity and fun. Join us on Wednesdays at 10 Am for one of our live streams so you can really get in on what makes the casino crew a blast. Stay warm! Derrick and the Casino Team !🎸🤘

[@CraigularjJoeWoodworks]

I like the look of castedosa, I’m definitely interested. This video was really nice. It was a feature rich conversation.

[@swstrat]

The original master, Michael Stevens (who brought in John Paige to help him start the Custom Shop), is still building extraordinary instruments in Alpine, Texas. He set the standards for the early team. A true master craftsman and one of the great characters of the guitar world, he is worth an entire episode on his own. Behind his buckaroo persona and cowboy poetry is a serious sophisticated artist.

[@vriendelijkegroet]

Dont forget the fact that John Suhr was into amp building also at Fender Custom shop. He worked for Bradshaw before joining the FCS. That contributed to the success of the Suhr company.

[@PaulEldridge1]

These folk are legends and like all legends their journey in life has a certain fascination. Perhaps as a follow-up it would be interesting to explore hoe that journey influences their "art". Thank you.

[@19sickboy71]

This is topic of interest for me. Always curious about the history of the who's who in the guitar builder world.😊

[@friedtaters8940]

Amazing most of them

[@tymanngruter1808]

More builders should do that, i need a new frontdoor for sum time!

[@savethedandelions]

Cool! TIL that Suhr rose the Fender custom shop.

[@JustPlayingBass]

Another builder to succeed after FCS was Philip Kubicki. He was the one who made the rosewood tele. He went on to design the XFactor bass..absolute genius.

[@renatonyc]

YES! great point. The X-Factor holds several patents, and it's bound to become historic.

[@CBGypsy03]

Joe knaggs is a an absolute monster builder ❤

[@30smsuperstrat]

Dan Strain is amazing.

[@MauriceArenas]

Don’t forget former Fender Custom Shop Master Builder Chris Fleming is now building special runs for LSL Instruments

[@tidepoolbay]

How about Chris Flemming who also was the Director of the Fender Custom Shop until he retired? I own the 1955 Telecaster he designed from a 1955 Esquire he bought! Peace & Love!! WooF!! 🐶🐶

[@DavesWorld76]

Missed the best one. Mark Kendrick.

[@drewenriques]

Watching this from my oil mansion in Dubai.

[@johnwashburn3793]

Please don't eat that Faberge egg

[@slowfinger2]

Suhr, like PRS became a major internationally recognized name branded company. Move over big 4. Gibson, Fender, Yamaha, and Gretsch. There are now 6 of you.

[@homegrownson]

If not already imagine Fender is adding Non Compete stipulations to Masterbuilder Contracts

[@johnwashburn3793]

These are not enforceable according to the supreme court. You cannot prevent someone from providing a living for oneself

[@homegrownson]

@@johnwashburn3793 They write Non Compete clauses all the time, the same as Landlords writing their own Leases that also many times are not enforceable, it doesnt mean they still are not going to try and certainly going to make it costly Legally to do so for anyone wanting to challenge them, although recovery of legal fees might be part of any settlement

[@nuttree11]

Alan Hamel

[@peterball6097]

I have a two pickup blackguard Esquire he built for me in 1998....amazing guitar.

[@guitarcafeguy]

I ordered the cheapest custom shop telecaster from Musician's Friend for around $3200 and it got sent to me from a guitar Center and the neck pickup was completely shorted out, so I don't know if that occurred at guitar center or if the quality control of fender has gone downhill, though I have never had any quality control issue with the several other fenders I have ordered. cosmetically there was nothing wrong with guitar but There was a big gash in the hard shell case. After that experience, I will never order a custom shop again even if the guitar had worked well, I was not more impressed with it than the American original 60s telecaster which is cheaper and better quality I feel.

[@guitarjeff55]

Ron thorn tree of life inlay His start I have 3 Rons one masterbuilt two custom shop builds Corina tele masterbuilt very sweet 62 green strat 63 blue Square built strat Two john page waylon tele califonia blue 6 Lb 8 oz metal flake chevy paint job large C maple cap neck all blessed pieces Like your vedeo cont guys

[@scottgibbs5903]

You can’t do non-compete clauses in CA.

[@hod8931]

My suhr classic s feels more like the team built strats I have now. My old suhr feels more like a master built.

[@vintageswiss9096]

Custom builds, you say?... Ed Roman is laughing from the grave right now watching this 😂

[@leoahearn7382]

You skipped a biggie - Mario Martin.

[@ryangunwitch-black]

Should have just called this one “Johns”.

[@stringlocker]

Fender Master Builders tools. A screwdriver and sandpaper

[@dongreen6424]

Yall never say anything about one of founding members mark kendricks

[@AndorMatus]

Fender master build guitars not build by one person called Masterbuilder. The woodwork is done by wood mill guys, the paintig is done by painter guys, the neck dressing is done by neck dresser guys. The Masterbuilder is making the relic job and setup in 99%. Masterbuilder manage the process to make all things according the spec sheet. Most of the cases the reluc job is supported by Master builder assistants. Fender Master builder is not magic person, He is leader of one guitar project.

[@stringlocker]

Their masters of the screwdriver. Somebody has to screw it together and why not call them a master.

[@peterball6097]

Pre 1999 the Masterbuilders did all of the work. They didn't even have CNC till that year. Now its all as you say....smoke, mirrors and assistants. That's why all the really good guys left one by one because they didn't want their names on a guitar they didn't 'build'

[@Bob-Whiting]

"Mornin' guys. Somebody woke me up! It was you! And my damned laptop. lol Hmm, guess I'll take my meds and order breakfast.

[@jcsolomon6470]

That's Not CooL!These are da Mastuhs!!Let's Keep it Goin!😃❣❤,The Different Luthiers Inputs on Our Favotite Guitar Brand Guitars!😊❤

[@petersouthwell5971]

Guys sorry to be a Debby Downer here? but you've heard about the fires in Los Angeles? Holy shit. Im wondering if NAMM is even going ot go down. Ive tried calling Norms Guitars as well.. Nobody is answering the phone. Man.. I hope they're ok! Sorry to bring this up in a light hearted youtube show :) Thought you might be interested. Everybody knows Norms man!

[@michaelborn3318]

NAMM is a long ways from the fires and will be still happening. I wonder what will happen with the hotel rooms if you've evacuated 180,000 people that need a place to stay?

[@CBGypsy03]

Camps maybe. ​@michaelborn3318

[@YouTubeHandlesAreMoronic]

Fender custom shop? "Meh." Well, ok, it's actually, "Meh + $2,500 surcharge." (And, yes, I have played some.)

[@MustangBasssman]

What happed to John Cruz was simply criminal. I was surprized you even mention his name. I'm sure Fender will have you remove this comment.

[@YouTubeHandlesAreMoronic]

I've seen John Cruz in KZbin interviews, and while he seemed like a bit of a dick, the way he was treated by Fender made me lose a lot of respect for the company. Pandering, spineless weenies.

[@stringlocker]

I watched the guy cut down a tree and make a guitar. just sayin.

[@bierce85]

Ron Thorn was accused of sexual assault of another employee and quit a few months later. Surely a coincidence.

[@Locamatea]

Actually, Ron’s accuser was not an employee of Fender. She was friends with all the Masterbuilders. According to her claim, she has been sexually assaulted multiple times by other men in the industry. The federal countersuit Ron Thorn vs. Amanda Peters sheds a lot more truth to the situation and her mental health. Also, according to public record, Amanda’s attorneys have fired her as a client and there are multiple motions to compel against her while she doesn’t provide any proof. I have followed this case really close because I deeply admire Ron’s work. Please, don’t spread misinformation especially when everything is available in public records. Thank you.

[@billbonanzinga2635]

Ron and John are gonna be a little busy meeting with attorneys, many would say.

[@CutterAz]

I keep trying to watch you guys, and it isn't here...I've tried, but the bias towards Fender is boring, and your all ADHD prevents a subject from being continually talked about. Good luck

[@johnwashburn3793]

WTF?

[@charlesbolton8471]

You do realize that this is the KZbin channel of an actual music store that sells more Fender guitars than any other brand they stock don’t you? What more do you expect them to do? Should they promote things they don’t sell?

[@CutterAz]

Boring is boring #sorrynotsorry

[@tom.m]

The ADHD is the best part. Drink some coffee so you can keep up.

[@chasinguitars]

10 employees or less would be boutique..in my opinion 😅