Stratocaster Shootout: Whats The Custom Shop Difference?

[@RhettShull]

My first video course, The Tone Course, is available now! Check it out here. flatfiv.co/collections/rhett-shull/products/the-tone-course

[@roberthoffman4587]

I take almost every new strat apart and throw everything away,put in the best of everything,wire to my liking,all soldered by hand with the best wire and solder,then it couldn't sound better,and doesn't cost thousands

[@harshtruth9148]

You do a great job at blending the three guitars one after the other with the same lick. Makes it so easy to hear the differences. I think the Fender CS has a much more polished sound than the other two, and looks better but 4K? I don’t know. I have a 1990 fender USA Strat and it’s unreal. Dad bought it for me at 12...first guitar...I was spoiled....lol. Awesome channel brother. BTW, I changed from 10s to 9s after watching your comparisons.

[@drpastormartinosempa8930]

Possibly wasn't the best move to compare a maple boarded stainless fret guitar with two rosewood boarded with nickel frets??? Brighter guitars generally feel sterile to me because I'm used to rosewood and nickel.... there's something about the low end that disappears that makes everything sound and feel all wrong...

[@benjaminschoendorff8700]

n n n nn n n bbn*

[@josephlerz6889]

I'd buy the botique for the white and blue relic finish

[@RobertNolan]

*walks out of the jam room filled with 12k worth of strats* "...Yeah, I'm just here to buy strings... Thanks."

[@Rangoslap8]

You said it right.

[@cuauhtemocmorisco3493]

😂😂👍👍👍

[@davidbowen169]

Robert Nolan yes. Not to mention the $4000 boutique amp playing through high end boutique pedals.

[@SolamenteVees]

*picks

[@RubbelisPro]

You've gotta do it to them at least once.

[@onlyfromadistance7326]

Price shouldn't be an issue. A REAL guitar player gets his girlfriend to buy it...

[@RKDriver]

Marry a nurse!

[@PINKFL0YD-s2h]

Swing that handbag!

[@kawmic7]

Good luck with that!!😎😎🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@blackbearbear9313]

If you don't have a girl friend fine someone else

[@okamuspanulirus9614]

Srv levels

[@brndgtl]

Fender should hire that guy from the store. He is knowledgable, passionate about guitars and good on camera

[@AlmostGrewMyHair]

Agree!

[@hkguitar1984]

I totally agree, he most certainly has been around the Block with a Stratocaster. He was good on camera too. Would like to see video of him playing.

[@Paxilthedog]

Let's pay him 3 times more and keep him independent. There are enough people praising chinese made fenders out there all ready.

[@koonsickgreen6272]

As an executive of course, vp of sales or what not.

[@matthewatwood1060]

Someone should tell Rick Beato.

[@gladejustglade]

Part of me says you should have thrown a Squier in there for good measure.

[@Craig_Fussell]

Agree! I hear the Classic Vibe Squiers are really good instruments.

[@flyingstratosurfer6285]

@@Craig_Fussell They are. Definitely. Plenty of Strat for few bucks. Check out the Tellys too...

[@williamleiplein9799]

Just bought a classic vibe. I compared it playing with a Mexican made classic style strat, I think it was called a Ventura, for a while and just couldn’t justify the massive price difference. The squire classic vibe felt good and sounded good too so that’s what I went with

[@jielyu4943]

To me Fender just build good guitars. All the guitars across the price range from Squier to CS plays super nice

[@eddiegodoy5120]

The fender vintera, not ventura lol

[@RJRonquillo]

I dug the Mario

[@gookiecrunch]

I love the mario martins. Get one!!! They make amazing guitars! Of course me being me i swapped nearly everything out on it though. (Had em put in virgil arlo pickups, pots, cap, pickguard, tremolo and saddles.) Haha I'm a weirdo though!! 😄 🤣

[@gardnerfiddle2927]

God, the prices are so relative! As a violinist, dropping $5K is pretty much an entry level professional instrument...

[@clintwilson6380]

Just curious, what is the most expensive violin you ever played?

[@gardnerfiddle2927]

Clint Wilson $15 million Guarneri del Jesu.

[@marceliptero]

As a doublebassist .. 5k$ Doublebass is a very cheap entry level one ... very far from a profesional one ... 15k... 30k ... 100k and so on

[@gardnerfiddle2927]

Marcel by the Strings so true! Let’s not even get started on how much cheaper guitar strings are in comparison!

[@tegucigalpa4696]

How much did your bow cost?

[@jarredhicks]

I own a 64’ Fender Custom Shop Journeyman Strat ($4100). I will say having something so beautifully crafted and easy to play keeps it in my hands longer and encourages me to practice more. Because the instrument is so intuitive, attractive, and I made the investment, I find myself walking across the room to play it much more than my old Epiphone (also a great guitar)!

[@winfredroberson2027]

I bought a 63' Fender Custom Shop Telecaster(NOS) and man, the thing plays like a charm. Every time I look at it I end up picking it up and playing. Spent($4000) on it and it is totally worth it, I practice all the time and plan on keeping it for the rest of my life, so the money is irrelevant.

[@vinced5741]

@jarredhicks that's how it should be.

[@obsidian7644]

I have multiple ultra strats and I've swapped the pickups and pickguards...meticulously set all of them up and shaped the nuts. I would recommend it to anyone. My #1 Is a texas tea with a replica pickguard and pickups from David gilmours black strat. Can't see ever needing anything more than these. The build quality on the ultra line is the best fender has to offer without getting into custom shop etc.

[@davidmahoney1248]

Not discounting the fact that these are obviously all finely crafted instruments, I can't help but remind myself of the fact that Rory Gallagher, played one, single, very slightly modified, stock, off the shelf Strat his entire life, that Clapton's "Blackie" was a mongrel guitar, pieced together from used, stock, bargain bin instruments, and of course, Hendrix's Woodstock Strat was also a stock, off the shelf, mass-produced, instrument.

[@rickc2102]

Makes me feel better about the multiple rebuilds of my A.S. Strat. Next is the 3 mini hb mod and a 24.75" scale neck. I'll make up for the sacrilege some day with a C.S.

[@nazmoking3171]

You left our Jack Pearson (former Allman Bros. Band) and his Squier strat.

[@northof50now]

David, I've been saying this since I picked up my first guitar. How is it these guys could play outstanding with stock stuff; Clapton with pieced together guitars - all having tiny vintage frets with 7.25" radius boards. Probably talent. I think we let our emotions carry us away today. Listening to Rhet, clearly his assessment was purely emotional. Count the number of times he reference "looks" and "vibe." Vibe being a completely made-up, mind-game.

[@blue-tb2fd]

Walt Coyle - "it isn't a great guitar" let's see you make something better

[@ThePinkguns]

David Mahoney back then there was no custom shop or «vintage» strats.. ofcourse the factory strats are getting better and better, however the cs og master built fenders have a selected wood, selected parts and so on. I know the price is alot more than what you Get. Bet if i had 4000 to blow on a guitar i would buy a custom shop 60’s strat. Improved but still classic and full of tone

[@MrLinuschan]

Seldom come across comparison that have suhr as the cheapest guitar hahaha

[@ben156]

Funny isnt it...

[@rickc2102]

That's when you start talking about professional-level axes. If you can get a tax write-off for it, $2500 starts to look a little smaller.

[@kitano0]

@Possumlove Jack Pearson comes to mind...he plays Squiers.

[@TheEchelon]

@@michaelluczak3019 You mean like all the other companies? The patent, if there was one, has expired. Fender only has the rights for the headstock shape now.

[@turamvar]

"lefthanded...mistake I made long time ago". I feel you, bro. I feel you

[@russk1971]

South paw here to... not sorry. I'm glad that others look at my guitars, comment on the beauty then ask to play them, only to realize they can't because they play backwards. Lol

[@seinmstudio3646]

@@russk1971 Exactly, THEY play backwards, not us. Mwahaha!

[@zachattack2775]

As a new, left handed player (I've been playing for about 2 months) should I learn right handed instead? I started out with the mindset of doing what was most comfortable. But I've already noticed that it seems like it would be easier to just bite the bullet and learn righty. Particularly when it comes to guitar selection and availability. I also want to collect vintage guitars and it would be great to be able to play them instead of them just being show pieces. Any advice? Thanks in advance!

[@seinmstudio3646]

@@zachattack2775 personally, I started out playing right handed for about 6 months and progressed very slowly, then switched to left handed and it was night and day. I was ambidextrous as a kid but still just chose the left hand for writing and guitar. It's up to you though, but consider this: when you play left handed, your guitar is like Excalibur, only the Trve King can wield it.

[@zachattack2775]

@@seinmstudio3646 I'm VERY left handed, so I may find it difficult to try to switch. And you have a good point with the uniqueness of it!

[@DavidSJ_DAP]

I wish you had added in a run-of-the-mill Am Std Strat to the comparison...I would have liked to see how it compared to the premium and above guitars you looked at here...

[@wilson4180]

DavidSJ I get this, but there’s literally 100s of others demos on KZbin of American standard strat vs custom shop strat and squire vs custom shop and squire vs American. This demo is great for people who are going for a custom shop fender, but maybe there’s something else out there within that custom shop realm that they didn’t know about.

[@benberman1926]

@Boston Mike: Exactly the reason I wish he'd included a Nash in this look :-) though I realize this line of thinking might lead you down a path that never ends . . .

[@jcd13able]

Major difference is going to be the nitro finish. I love how nitro guitar ages with cracks in the finish and all of that. I also have poly guitars and they never age, well except for swirl marks :) One thing that I do prefer nowadays, is recessed heel so I can reach the upper frets. I also like 9" radius, two point bridge for stability, old kluson tuners, basically some old mixed with some new appointments. If I was buying a strat today, I would either buy a used american fender strat or the new mim player's series that come awfully close to am std. strats.

[@WhalerGA]

Agreed, but I don't think they carry those at Righteous Guitars.

[@danieljensen2626]

It's all subjective at this point. No strat in the world is "better" than an American standard, it's just slight differences which anybody may or may not like.

[@bernardhossmoto]

In the opening of the clip the Sunburst immediately stood out, tone wise. The Suhr sounds very modern. Rhett, great playing as always. Keep it up and yes, a Gibson shoot out would be great.

[@jonkomatsu8192]

Teles next, please. And yes Gibson, please. Mahalo!

[@JohnFoxBass]

@@CocoKoi321 Guild Bluesbird and S-100

[@jfar3340]

and why not PRS, gretsh, ibanez while you're at it

[@jfar3340]

@@JohnFoxBass S-100? I prefer SOX10 most of the time (this is not a medical advice)

[@tommytorres]

To my ear the Suhr did not sound as rich in overtones. It sounded solid and fat in the low frequencies but didn't have much "air", which is were all the expression of an instrument is. I kinda liked the Mario better than the Fender, at least in the clean tones.

[@jfar3340]

you could tell that through a youtube video?

[@louislouis4517]

@@jfar3340 exactly.

[@cardbored_]

@@jfar3340 exactly, listening to any of these videos for any sort of accurate representation of audio is silly

[@coppulor6500]

I agree completely. so for everyone who wants to get semantic, based on the audio through a computer using headphones. wtf else we supposed to base our opinion on?

[@pttrent123]

I bought a PRS Silver Sky about a year ago and love it, PRS does a great job on quality control and it was less than all of these options, but, hey, everyone has their preference

[@svenzia]

The SE model? I bet they are good guitars but the headstock just destroys the look imo.

[@woofcity6307]

I say prs core over fender anything any day. That’s my personal opinion. You can build and finish a strat for about 1k that rivals a suhr or fender if you know a good luthier, you get boitique pickups, get the fretboard radius width and nut you want from warmouth and sand and finish yourself. If you don’t or can’t dp those things can then I can see why you prob can’t do that. But i think fender custom shop looks cool but it’s just overpaying by 3k imho. They are nice but why be stuck with a reproduction old guitar from fender for 5k. I’d rather have 2-3 custom 22’s or a real vintage gibson or whatever else

[@jeanpat8946]

I own a custom shop heavy relic Fender and i can tell you it s a war weapon ,the kind of guitar you can keep and play all your life long and more !!!

[@jim21jam]

Agreed, me too, Rory Gallagher custom shop, just a beast, what a neck, smooth as silk, I will have it until the end of my days!!! I have gone through a ton of strats throughout the years, never real happy with any of them, traded 4 guitars for this one, worth it!!! Playability and tone!!! Pro guitar!!!

[@gillesgenete9598]

@@jim21jam I have a Rory Gallagher custom shop too, and fully agree about your comments, smells wood, smells leather, body vibrates long looking for you playing, neck so smooth ... AND the tones of those pick ups, warm, powerfull, still sparkling through an AC15 or 30. Really honoring the great Rory Gallagher.

[@weschilton]

Absolutely, Ive had Squiers, Mexican Strats, AM standard strats and finally found a 1959 fender custom shop that is just incredible. There’s nothing like it.

[@fvlok]

Yeah. I have a 57’ heavy relic customshop (2010 roadshow) strat with Abby’s pickups and a very light ash body. So good compared to the standard.

[@PAS540]

I own a 59 sunburst heavy relic CS. Best guitar that I’ve ever played. It just sings and is easier to play. Everything sounds better. I have a Fender American Standard as well, which is a great guitar, but there is no comparison. If you really feel like spending the money, don’t be afraid. The guitar will keep you happy for many years.

[@joechip1232]

Never buy a guitar that doesn't inspire you. I don't think there's anything responsible about buying something less expensive if it doesn't excite you because you're never going to play it and then it's a total waste of money. Oh, and definitely the Fender. I picked it right away before I knew which was which. The Suhr sounded about as good as my Squire Strat to my ears, which isn't bad, but my Squier would cost around $500 tops.

[@MK4vDubbin]

Joe Chip Great point. I have a Suhr Modern that I absolutely love and some really nice Fender strats that I also love, but the Suhr Standard series does nothing for me. Build quality you would expect from Suhr but just doesn’t have the strat feel. I don’t care about SS frets, compound radius, locking tuners, etc on a strat. I have plenty of modernized super strats for that. I want it to feel like a strat with all of its perfect imperfections. That’s what makes it a strat.

[@HeyLiem]

Your advice is wise and accurate and true. Buy the real American made fender, You will love it for decades and respect it. If anyone needs a discount guitar, fender makes their own discount guitars, called the Fender Squires! I bought four imported discount guitars this year, the Danelectro is the only one I can play on stage because that is the only novelty guitar brand that rock audiences respect. It also plays pretty freaking awesome, it's effortless to play their 12 string Danelectro, amazing. All the other imports that I got this year, felt good that I was saving money when I purchased them, but they just don't have the sentimental value of an American made fender, I should've just bought one American made fender. I was foolish to nickel and dime myself, and eventually deprive myself of an American made fender because I bought three discount copies instead. Doh!

[@TheFrederic888]

Agreed, though I own some cs fender and ibanez, my 2 « cheap » wasburn are the only ones to inspire me.

[@utooberblooper]

only view these videos with your ears

[@Sammywhat]

Honestly, a blindfold test is really the only way to be fully unbiased. Seeing that Fender name will usually spark a sense of that certain "something" that may not really be there if you didn't see the name. Or at the very least, may not be there at that price range. I'd like to see a test of midrange Strats with Rhett blindfolded. Andertons does this on occasion and it's a real eye-opener - egregious pun intended. Hope to see one in the near future, Rhett! Nice playing by the way!! 🎶💜

[@son0fsocal]

They don’t do them because they are afraid of saying a squire sounds better than a 5k fender . Confirming what I’ve always said ..they all sound the same.

[@Sammywhat]

@@son0fsocal I think you're right. They really do sound the same. Which is a testimony to Leo's amazing design in the first place. The thing for me is, does a $5000 dollar custom shop feel that much better? As a lefty, I've never played a custom shop Strat or Tele. So I'm not one to say. But after rolling the fret board edges and dialing in the fret ends, is there really a $4500 dollar difference? I'm guessing not.

[@druwk]

$4500 was not an option. I wanted a Strat, bad...I put together my own parts-caster from Warmoth. My take was a Post Modern style Strat. Pretty much like the current Black Fender version? I chose all the options, some vintage, some modern and did all the finishing work. $1300 All those guitars look and sound great. Feel, playability and Vibe are important. If money were no object, I’d get a really nice true Vintage Strat. If I had the budget, I would definitely get the Custom Shop...though probably not the sunburst? If/when I have the money, I might build another one? I’m glad I finally have a great Strat! The spec’s are custom, sounds “right” and plays well. Didn’t break the bank. It’s a weird thing how things come together? Sometimes you have to try different options to find the “right” part. Sometimes, the parts have to live together for a while before a really good guitar becomes a really great guitar. Sometimes difficult

[@sounddesignmix3002]

Great video Rhett! I completely agree with your final analysis, if you're thinking of buying a "real" 60's Strat for $30K, go with a Custom Shop one. I was given the same advice back in 2002 and have played my Cunetto Custom Shop 60's Start to the point that it's gone from a Relic to a Heavy Relic. It's been a work horse.

[@brianpetersen3429]

It's the talent that makes a guitar sing.

[@bm7760]

Indeed. Hendrix or Rory or any number of other guys couldn't have cared less about boutique labels. Maybe these guys are spending far too much time comparing apples with apples when they should just be playing.

[@kurtlonde5892]

.... wisely spoken... but it needs the guitar itself... and.... there are so many differencies

[@kurtlonde5892]

@@bm7760... you are right in playing... but how good you re in kontact with jimi an rory.... perhaps they hear the difference between the sound of different instruments better than you and me

[@zepp3lin]

Yes you're right. Talent plus a cheap DIY kit with the right measurements, setup and a nice fret work will put to shame to those overpricing Fenders and Gibsons.

[@jcd13able]

I agree. The good thing about a custom shop guitar is that the person making it maybe spent little bit more time on it to make it more playable. About Hendrix, let's not forget that he didn't have an access to a 60 year old guitar when he was playing. He played guitars that were just made by fender and didn't have time to age. I think this point is mostly ignored by those buying vintage gear. It's all in the fingers baby.

[@FreedomExperiment]

That Fender sounded like it was right off Jimi's album. Pure gold for my ears

[@CamiloVelandia]

I gotta say the custom shop sounds the best to my ears. I also recall playing a Fender John Cruz Custom Shop and it sounded better than any Suhr, Anderson, whatever, that I've ever played. Great video Rhett!!!!

[@isaacbdennis]

Awesome video! I just grabbed up my first Fender Custom Shop 1960’s Stratocaster this week, and I’m not disappointed at all!

[@diydad7704]

I would take the Mario just for the look. The Fender sounded a little sweeter/melower sometimes but that may have been the picking. The Mario as you said has vibe for days. That's mine!

[@mrodriguez4879]

I’d like to see a blindfold strat shootout! Have a few strats at different prices, and go by feel and sound only!

[@wynnfirstwave]

Something about the sunburst finish makes the tone sing hahaha

[@sinjon]

Wynn Yang lol you sound like Billy Corgan when he said paint color changes the sound of a guitar

[@magnushallmundsson6927]

Dude everyone knows white sounds better loool

[@hkguitar1984]

@@magnushallmundsson6927 It's my understanding that "white" guitars have a brighter tone while sunburst guitars sound more colorful, maybe more mid-range. I was going to have a white guitar finish on the front and a sunburst on the back to even out my tone!

[@eddiem4868]

It's just your mind playing tricks

[@rickc2102]

Either playing tricks, or extrapolating unwarranted assumptions based on anecdotal evidence.

[@shredx81]

The Suhr pro series still go through the same build process as the Suhr custom guitars. They just have a predetermined specification.

[@CrispyRice454]

I bought a Custom Shop Stratocaster, the 1964 in super faded Sonic Blue. No regerts...seriously, I love it.

[@aixpert291]

Crispy Rice's Mellifluous Sonic Chamber 😮😳😍

[@JonREvans]

I've got the 1964 custom shop super faded Fiesta Red version... yeah the best strat I've played hands down

[@CrispyRice454]

Jon Evans, gorgeous color! Yeah, they definitely have the mojo. Instantly became my #1.

[@KaizenOz]

Custom Shop 65 in shell pink checking in 🤪

[@sparkeyjames]

The Mario Martin just sounded so fine I couldn't believe the difference. Pure heaven made into a strat style guitar. The Fender was in the middle and the Surh was last.

[@frankswildyear]

Same here

[@CFCMahomet]

I wished that you had included a lower end MIM Fender Strat.

[@Kris-P343]

Or perhaps a high end Squire...just for comparison, much of our hearing is with our eyes.

[@faiz88ish]

I've owned Suhr, Silversky and Fender Strat. My verdict, Suhr makes the best quality guitar not the sounding guitar, Silversky the best sounding guitar not the best quality. However, Fender specifically Custom Shop, makes the imperfect sound and not too perfect quality, but Fender Customshop able to make the right combinations to make it the best of all. Fender, afterall is the rightful owner of stratocaster no matter how other builders try to replicate it. Cheers.

[@britewiresatx]

Ben seems like a super nice guy. Would be alot of fun making a video like this. What an amazing collection!

[@frankswildyear]

I love the way you change guitars so quickly, makes it really easy to hear the differences

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

I played a Strat that John Cruz built once and it was the greatest guitar that has ever graced my hands. It was also $7,000. Still an awesome Strat though. I had my wife take my picture while I was playing it. LOL!

[@davidcotton6999]

Yeah, people knock John Cruz prices and CS prices but I agree totally, a John Cruz 59 Strat I played was the best guitar that I ever played, ever, and I've played a LOT of guitars.

[@AdrianBoisclair]

I have been playing guitar for over 25 years, 15 of that as a professional touring musician. That being said… You are a phenomenal guitarist. Great taste in music. Strongly opinionated, and relatable. Thanks for bringing honest, great content to the world of guitar. Lmao literally just heard you say “that being said” like 30 seconds after i wrote it up there 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@alcoyot]

Used fender Mexican strat. Just put in whatever pickups you want. $500.

[@thep2pband]

Life is too short to play a crappy guitar.

[@hhattingh]

Preach brother!

[@J__C__]

Rhett: *Life is too short to interact with viewers* 👎

[@TheRichie213]

But you don't have to spend thousands either. Not even one thousand.

[@AlmostGrewMyHair]

I think the Suhr sounded more muffled because of the hum canceling pickups. I’m sure it kills some high frequencies.

[@fvlok]

Absolutely

[@ScottJamesHicks]

I’m curious to hear your opinion of the American Original Strat vs the CS 60.

[@tdunster2011]

There is so much variation between individual guitars that a question like this is nearly impossible to answer. Looking at names on headstocks or models is pointless. Play as many as you can and when you find the right one you will know. Having to ask others their opinion about a guitar by model most likely means you haven't found the one you are looking for. Fender, G&L, Schecter, Nash, Suhr, John Page, and many others make great guitars - play as many as you can as often as you can.

[@nevillegreg1]

I'm a Tele guy, all the 3 Strats sounded pretty much the same to me. But I understand the points you make. When I picked up a Tele Elite at the store, while it sounded pretty much as my MIM Tele, and not worth more than 3 times the price of the MIM, there was something special about the Elite, it resonated with me, it felt great, I could play it day, so I laid out the 3 grand and bought the Elite.

[@normcote270]

Awesome review, and being a Fenderholic and playing Fender instruments since 1969 I really loved the great shootout you provide us all with, your vids are the best, thanks much Rett!!!

[@andybennett1026]

Absolutely! That fender does look great !

[@BITESIZEJONES]

The custom shop sounded best to my ears. Rich and warm

[@stevenmortensen1257]

Forget simple truss rod tweaks with the Fender . Is there any good reason to make a guitar with such an obvious flaw ?

[@richardlee866]

Stratocaster sounded the best to my ears. I owned a 62 Stratocaster at one time unfortunately I had to let it go. Custom Shop Stratocaster it's what I play nowadays it's a great guitar strange as it may seem it can hang with a lot of vintage strats I have played.

[@coltonnash991]

I love how you played the intro of the wind cried marry in the begging and then you played the solo at righteous guitars

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

Rhett, if you haven't yet, try grabbing the dropped 5th interval on the opening chromatic climb on Wind Cries Mary. The reason you can never get the same tone as you get with a vintage instrument is because *wood ages.* I've been a woodworker as well as a guitarist most of my life, and I know for a fact that this is true. If you are a carpenter that does remodeling of old homes, then you have probably pulled some old douglas fir studs out and found them hard as nails as compared to new douglas fir. Just driving a nail through fir that's been sitting in an old house for 100 years is super hard comparatively. Over time wood not only hardens, but it becomes more stable as well. These qualities greatly effect the tone of any instrument. These strats all have very slight differences tonally (like any guitar even in the same model there are differences). I think it comes down to how it feels for you and the options you want.

[@mayak_85]

Same about old pine, old larch and sometimes alder. Also i used old alder for making my tele. But how it REALLY affects the tone? I don't know

[@matrodmedia]

I absolutely LOVE my custom shop p bass. What’s also great is that you can find them used as low as $1600 thru around $2000-2800, depending. These will typically be the Teambuilt stuff, but the Teambuilt Custom Shop stuff is the best of the best “production” guitars that Fender makes. It’s a much smaller operation than the US production line, they use the same machines that they used back in the 50’s, and wood selection is completely separate from the standard US production line’s selection, and quite a bit better. So the way I look at it, is if you were planning on buying, say, a brand new American vintage re-issue, then you’re putting down close to the same money that you could put toward a used Custom Shop instrument. It’s an awesome way to get into owning an instrument with that type of sentimentality if that’s what you’re looking for/into. And if you’re not into that, then hey, there’s a shitload of options for you as well, and we can all respect eachother as players and be happy for one another’s purchases, regardless of price point or manufacturer.

[@dennisdedman2164]

That’s why it’s so important to play guitars first. I’ve got a few real pricey guitars which I love. But my current favorite is my mim Tele. Every guitar is unique even the mass produced ones. Just get one that feels good and makes you want to pick it up!

[@davidnuzzaci2459]

The opening sounds for all three, the Fender was and still is ahead for the rest of the video . Used head phones and sonically you can hear and feel the differences. Very cool and useful ! Thx

[@chillydill4703]

The custom has such clarity, it's amazing.

[@fraidwoodcesco]

exactly

[@jacksonrussellband]

I completely agree with you Mr. Shull. This was the comparison that I needed to see. I’d really like to see the Gibson Custom Shop, Gibson Standard comparison. Thank you very much for your informative videos. I was considering purchasing the Fender 64 Custom Deluxe Reverb after playing it and I actually bought it after seeing your review. Thank you!

[@CDMBill]

One of the things that makes Rhett Shull's channel my favorite amongst the several that I follow is the quality of the recording. I listened to this episode again last night on my desktop which has a pretty good nearfield monitor setup I also use for recording. Listening to the three guitars as he played the Hendrix riff I was literally turned around when he played it through the Fender Custom Shop Strat. Rhett and that guitar NAILED the tone and texture in a way that just jumped out of the speakers compared to the other two "strats". This is not a knock on the Suhr or the Mario which was new to me. I have an older USA made American Deluxe and a really very nice Made in Mexico version. Both play well, and they 'spoke' to me when I bought them, and I've made a few minor mods, but neither cops that tone the way Rhett and that Custom shop do. I've been looking at the Fender Custom Shop Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Stratocaster Journeyman Relic guitars (could the name be any longer?) as a way to get as close to that tone as my fingers will allow. Does anyone have insight into how those measure up? I haven't found one near me to try out. SoCal.

[@vincenzodemarco7983]

You are Correct. His Channel is The Best. He, Is the Best.🥇👊

[@alexanderroesch2287]

Nice demo. I agree that wood changes over the years. I also am a sucker for relic’d Strats. But a sincere question: What did poor Buddy Holly and Hank Marvin of the 1950s do without access to vintage Fenders? For example, my Strats (some custom shop reissues) are all older now than Eric Clapton’s Blackie was in the 1970s when it made history. Hmmmm.....

[@troydavis1612]

When you played that amazing strat in another video, you acquired strat-fever.....no Silver Sky in the mix?

[@KrlosRodz]

Definitely should've added a Silver Sky in the mix...

[@speedriff]

Carlos Rodriguez I played a Silver Sky and it’s a nice guitar. But, the pickups are noisy as hell. I’ll take the Suhr.

[@balke7935]

That choc burst strat absolutely blows the others out the water… I want to like those boutique strats, they’re great, but you can’t argue that strat sounds gorgeous.

[@fraidwoodcesco]

I totally agree

[@toddflowers8052]

I 'd buy the Fender not only for the playability but the resale on the Fender will be the best . Love the vid and yes please do a Gibson ES 335 vs Collings vs Heritage video . Cheers Rhett !

[@filiprogina1753]

I'm guessing you'd choose a Gibson, so what would be the point then? :P

[@toddflowers8052]

@@filiprogina1753 Heritage and Collings are great guitars and while the Heritage resale can be lackluster the Collings hold theirs so I guess that's why .

[@filiprogina1753]

@@toddflowers8052 Agreed, and...I did not mean to insult you, sorry. Damn, I'd probalby be the first one buying a guitar because of the name.😂 I don't know much about Heritage, but I'm falling more and more in love with Collings, thanks to Joey Landreth. Since I'm GASing for a 335, it would definitely be useful to get a comparison video ;)

[@hkguitar1984]

@@filiprogina1753 Up until I played a Collings I would have been 100% Gibson for that style guitar. Collings instruments are worth every Penny.

[@toddflowers8052]

@@filiprogina1753 Joey is friggin' awesome !

[@wearashirt]

I have a narrow radius strat too, and it sort of sounds like the fender custom there. That's the one I liked the most actually.

[@Craig_Fussell]

I dream about the day when I’ll be a good enough player where these differences matter to me LOL! Oh well, gotta go practice on my MIM Strat that feels and sounds fine to me! 😉✌🏻🎸

[@heythere6983]

some of the biggest bands in the world don't care so much, they play average guitars , and dont spend so much money on a super pricey guitar and worry about micro feels and all. Any guitar can be good, price doesn't matter. I think this is more of a hobbyist thing for sure. An actual musician will learn to write on any guitar and a better one can write to the tonal qualities of each guitar.

[@Craig_Fussell]

Agreed! Have you seen what Jack Pearson can do on a Squier Stratocaster? Mind blowing! ✌🏻

[@JessieThorne886]

I have a Fender strat build in the custom shop (avri 62 hot rod from 2006). The QC did not blow me away; one fret has air under it (cause they cut too deep), the nitro lacquer had blemishes out of the box, the fret-work is only ok, can't get low action. I would never sell it, though, cause it just sounds and plays so well. It's even loud acoustically. It's my only strat, so I can't compare it to the cheaper ones.

[@hollywoodactress]

Good review and to me with headphones all sounded very similar so I suspect it is how you connect with the Instrument. Also why not next time include some cheaper fender strats around $2000, $1500 then $1000.

[@jmendi55]

My guess is Hendrix was playing an off the shelf strat from Manny's that he paid $150 for in 1965. Then he'd set that on fire and get another one. So much for connecting with a guitar.

[@wilson4180]

I said this in another comment, there’s 100s, if not 1000s, of cheap vs expensive guitar reviews/demos on KZbin. There’s almost no custom shop vs boutique or custom shop vs vintage or vintage vs boutique. Why does everything have to be compared to something cheap in the guitar world?

[@tonelok]

Absolutely yes. The way I think about it really good craftspeople are still working on these and trying to create instruments that will sound fabulous now and age well. Same for boutiques. And we all gotta make a living...

[@Th3F0nz]

For the price of the Fender I could build two Warmoth strats with the most insane wood choices and the nicest components and still have money left over. The price of the Suhr could still build two strats with nice wood and impressive components. If you are a DIY-er I'd highly recommend that route if you really need/want a custom instrument on a "budget." I put that in quotes because my guitars still cost more than an American strat, but I still got to choose every aspect of the guitar. I just had to put it together myself. No idea what getting a tech to build it for you would be, but I'd bet it would still be cheaper than going thru Fender/Suhr/others.

[@hkguitar1984]

Building your own Guitar and choosing all aspects of the instrument is the best thing ever. It's like designing a girlfriend from the ground up for yourself...............

[@MK4vDubbin]

Warmoth builds are hit or miss IMO. There’s more to a great guitar than neat specs. Crazy figured woods do nothing for me personally anymore besides being pretty to look at. Kiesel is a great example of being able to spec out a guitar to the moon and back with exotic woods and finishes and ending up with a $4k guitar that plays like a $900 guitar with a cold and sterile feel. Of course it’s all subjective. I’m not arguing you need to spend anywhere near $4k for a CS strat if you go the Fender route. I’ve played some pretty great MIM strats that felt and sounded wonderful. Just don’t want people to make the mistake of thinking that buying super fancy woods from Warmoth is going to automatically give them an equivalent or superior guitar to a properly built Fender.

[@hkguitar1984]

@@MK4vDubbin Agreed Bolting the parts together is about 20% of the project. Setting it up and fine tuning is the rest. I think with Warmoth parts you are assured a certain level of quality that you can fine tune and set up the guitar to be a superior instrument, the Devil is in the details. And if a person doesn't know how to properly set up a guitar and is building/assembling an instrument they really should learn how and what to do. The information is out there and accessible. Myself, I'm self-taught and have had very good results so far. 3 builds and three winners. That said, I have attempted to work on some really cheap guitars with mixed results. I've had examples of a truss rod not responding and/or the bridge/neck not even properly aligned, again that was with cheaper components. You only get what you pay for, and that's if you're lucky! I still contend that building a guitar for yourself can be a wonderful/rewarding experience. As with most things in Life, Your Mileage May Vary..........

[@Th3F0nz]

​@@MK4vDubbin IMO, Warmoth is only hit or miss of the person building it/buying the parts doesn't know what they are doing. The niceness of the specs isn't what makes them special, it's the fact you get to choose every tiny detail, even if it's the cheapest options, you still got to chose. That's what makes it "custom". Truth be told, I've heard some horror stories about Warmoth or similar companies, but everything I've built is way better (for me) than whatever I pick up at a guitar store, and the quality of construction is superb. If you don't know exactly what to get you can definitely end up with a less than perfect guitar that might only look nice, but then it's on you not the company.

[@themk7587]

One thing I can say is that I'm glad I bought my guitars when I did. I have two Strats, a white '62 Reissue and a sunburst '79. Both would be out of my price range today. When I go to a big chain store I'll go pick up a $200 Squier and see how it compares with mine. With craftsmanship there is no comparison. With tone sometimes I'm pleasantly surprised. I think the next time I see one I'll try a brand I'm not familiar with.

[@adamwhite2329]

The answer? Find a used Custom Shop Strat. I just scored a 2018 for roughly $1,000 off the cost of the same model new. In fact, it cost about the same as the Suhr in this video. They're out there.

[@musicplaylists59]

in the first part where you were playing them and you couldn't see the headstocks so i didn't know which was which i liked the sound of the sunburst one best, which interestingly turned out to be the fender.

[@justinw6670]

Play as many strats as possible,pick the best attributes of each then build your own.Who knows,you may learn something

[@grisok]

Heard more dynamics and frequencies in the fender. the Mario was in the middle to me and suhr didn't have the chime the others did. Much darker. Over all I def preferred the fender

[@TractorMonkeywithJL]

I can't wrap my head around wanting a new guitar that looks worn out. Would you want to buy a new Vette with the paint rubbed off?

[@SarcastSempervirens]

people buy a reliced guitar so they (some of them) don't have to worry about - damaging it. while loving the look of a damaged guitar. but no wanting to do their own damaging. jesus.

[@YaoEspirito]

Blows my mind. I'll never understand. People always make that same silly argument: that way you don't have to worry about dinging it and scratching it. Bullshit. As you say, who would buy a new, luxury car with dents and scratches on it, just so you won't have anxiety about damaging it?

[@Pauleh123]

Relic guitars look cool to me, though I'd rather not have the relic unless it's very unique. Different strokes for different folks.

[@Chickenwingsinthedings]

@@YaoEspirito cause a car doesn’t get nearly as dinged and guitars don’t look bad dinged cars do

[@airgliderz]

Simple, if you are an old man blues player playing in a smokey beat bar, showing up with a new shiny immaculate guitar kills the vibe and the sound quality. What you see matters.

[@marions.120]

From the first chord at the beginning of the video, that was the sound. Sparkly and rich tone.

[@ElDuderino502]

I would have liked to have seen a Silver Sky in this video, but I'm a huge PRS fan.

[@Not_Sure-2020]

I ended up getting a Fender Ultra (about $2k). Compound radius, 2 point trem, locking tuners, push button pot to enable neck pickup at any switch setting, nice thin neck (tried a 60s reissue and it felt like a baseball bat). I love the sound even when it's unplugged. No, it's not vintage and I'm guessing since it doesn't have the small radius throughout the neck, you might liken it to the Suhr and really not dig it but I do. I have a 67 mustang with the 7-1/4" radius and love that too but there's still something about the Strat.

[@tricko2286]

Suhrs left me a bit cold too (prefer SilverSky or Cutlass). Think Nash’s are better value than Mario. CS’s are hard to beat though.

[@danielmekis4398]

Mario!!!! I was eating a bowl of fresh ramen noodles, and I would have my face down to eat and keep looking up when the sound was really nice. Kept being the Mario.

[@mrroye]

I thought.the suhr sounded the best clean on those Hendrix licks.

[@richardwalley2862]

Yea the suhr was not “hipster” enough

[@PsychologyWorksOfficial]

I couldn’t agree with you more. I just got my first Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster this week.

[@ronwilliams1094]

I don't know. Maybe it's just me but from playing for over 35 years in the music industry, I've personally found that if a guitar feels good in my hands, stays in tune and has great sounding pickups, no matter what the price point be it $3500 or $350, it's all that matters. Inspiration is key. Everything else is marketing to separate the consumer from their money.

[@speedriff]

Ron Williams exactly! You know what we called a 59 Les Paul when I was a kid? A used Les Paul. Marketing hype 101.

[@jmacc9876]

These overly relic'd Strats are just investments with value growth potential. There's nothing wrong with that, if you don't break them or have them stolen they're a great investment with value that will always rise. But the monetary value of a custom shop Strat is just a religious story that guitarists have told themselves and choose to believe.

[@MrSeeMAC]

Anyone know what he is playing at the start of the video? Sounds soo good

[@yousefqasmiya7667]

Yes plz anyone

[@timodehaan6900]

The Wind Cries Mary - Jimmy Hendrix

[@dwayneman9710]

John Suhr makes the best value guitar imo. Hand built, true single coil pickups with noiseless system built in, stainless steel frets that don’t wear, locking tuners and Gotoh hardware. It’s the guitar Fender should be making for the modern/classic player.

[@jackhorvat7979]

Dweebs noiseless system built in? The pickups sounded dead compared to the fender.

[@northof50now]

@@jackhorvat7979 Scott Henderson and Pete Thorn seem to get pretty good tone from their Suhr guitars.

[@dominickortega8489]

Jack Horvat The ML has a higher midrange frequency plus a high output. Therefore a fatter tone which also leads to less clarity compared to CS pickups that have less output and are wound to have less of those midrange frequencies. Pickups are easy to replace so I’d rather spend less $ on the suhr (that will stay in tune and have frets that won’t wear) instead of the CS and get pickups to my liking.

[@algorithm007ify]

Dominick Ortega most classics come with the V60LP these days

[@tedparkinson6892]

Thanks for another great video. The sales guy was totally knowledgeable about all the differences. I've never been a Strat guy; I have a Mexican Robert Cray Strat which plays and sounds great and is all I need. I did just buy a 2004 Suhr which is gorgeous and plays -very- nicely. I love it with its 5-way switch on the humbuckers. But it is what they call a 'modern' design so not meant to have any vibe except its own which is incredible. Keep on rocking.

[@lifelongfan07]

The MM has slightly more bottom end than the Fender or Suhr.

[@techlaw997]

Fender custom shop makes a bunch of different years. Which year do you think is the best one to get for Strats? 54, 62, other?

[@shanekiely]

Mexican strat with hand wound pups and a fret job, spend the rest on lessons.

[@dezionlion]

That would cost you as much as a used custom shop genius

[@undergroundjohnny]

Yep. I have two awesome Mex Road Worn Strats from 2009 - Rosewood and Maple - both have Ron Ellis PUs in them. They sound like custom shop Stratocasters and one of the Strats I purchased used for $600!! 4K for a Strat? Total rip off man!!

[@brunovidana7837]

dezionlion, not true man. I bought a used MIM, vintage noiseless pickups, locking tuners, a rolling string tree and got a fret job for under 600 man.

[@weschilton]

LOL... you kids are hilarious and totally dead wrong.

[@TDig.]

undergroundjohnny road worns are amazing..

[@brianh.santos9295]

Very well done! About the “GIBSON Custom Shop” shootout... Yes please!

[@mikepj1025]

I agree 100%. I found a used Fender Custom Shop 60 Strat and within 2 minutes of holding it, plugging in and playing, it felt so different and much more “connected” to me then anything else I have. It actually has a 7 1/4 radius neck and I never thought I would like it but i do. Great video man.

[@lush462]

Thats because you payed a few Ks more lol

[@mikepj1025]

@@lush462 total price $1550 US. No more than a standard or a pro series. I would never buy new.

[@sfu421]

it´s called Placebo :)

[@windmillcancersurvivor2568]

Great take on mondo strats! I was discussing the merits of buying a custom Suhr with a player and he finally said "Why not just get a custom Fender?" I did, a 2015 Journeyman that hung on the wall at the Fender booth Winter Namm with a huge neck. It was so worth it!

[@THEMASTEROFYOU2000]

Suhr has the favored sound to me, much more huge mid-range squawk......not too bright like the mario and much more punch than the fender...............imho

[@speedriff]

THEMASTEROFYOU2000 don’t forget the SSCII system as well. It’s dead silent. The V60LP’s are amazing sounding pickups.

[@Ibanezmusic1]

So that black suhr antique in the background during the first 1:30...I bought that one (from Righteous). Actually, my wife bought it for me as a gift. I have spent the past year trying to love it because it has sentimental value...but I hate it. The neck feels so off and it has a sterile sound unfortunately. Obviously, I'm not Andy Wood or Pete Thorn so I can't make anything sound amazing; however, my mexican road worn strat sounds and plays 100 times better. I'm sending it back to suhr to have the neck reshaped...will update after I get it back in March.

[@StringsAndWings61]

I've owned both Fender American Strats and Fender Custom Shop strats. Now, I only have Suhr and Tom Anderson strats. I will take those over Fender every time.

[@Jackal799]

Strings And Wings 61 me too. I play suhr and my buddy plays Anderson. I’ll never give fender another dime after the American elite I owned.

[@zoranallen5205]

Brandon Powers what makes those options better, in your opinion?

[@Jackal799]

Suhr and Anderson’s fit and finish are second to none. Their necks are smooth as butter, fretwork is perfect, and they sound great. I also don’t like that fender doesn’t use stainless steel frets. You really need to try a suhr or Anderson next to a Strat. Even though they are similar styles the feel and attention to detail is way different. Some guys prefer strats and that’s cool. Whatever works.

[@refugiopoint]

Nicely done....not understanding how 81 people could dislike this video, but perhaps that's a reflection of the discontent in America these days. No matter, I really enjoyed and appreciate the effort to make it!

[@mattyounis5636]

Schecter USA custom shops are amazing to me and not outrageous on cost

[@ericvituccimusic]

4k for a strat... ouch... I will keep my Mexican and be happy with it. I will say the custom shop sounded the best to me.

[@pereztube2]

just get some good custom shop pickups and you're like 98 percent there.

[@brentparks3669]

Dude I’d love a Mexican strat! Gotta save up when you have kids, but I’ll get one and let my young ones have it someday.

[@joshistyping]

My Mexican Strat in Polar White is the only one I've ever owned and I love it. If I opened my guitar case tomorrow and had that 4k custom shop Strat in it, I'd sell it, buy another Polar White Mexican Strat and 3 other guitars.

[@jmendi55]

Why in gods name to they still make you take the neck off to get at the truss rod. Living it CT, it's bone dry in the winter and humid in the summer and truss rods need need to be tweaked often. Is it just to honor a 60 year old 'vintage' design flaw????

[@lockedowng]

NY here. I feel your pain. Every guitar should have a truss wheel. They put them on the elite strats, it should be on everything.

[@jmendi55]

@@lockedowng I have MIM thinline with the headstock bullet - 2 second tweak. I have a nice 30 year old MIJ telecaster with that old design which I never play it because it needs adjusting and I can't be bothered. Think of the tech in the store taking the neck OFF 3 times to get it right.....

[@DavidSmith-ss1cg]

@@jmendi55 - That's why they charge you so much money for what should be normal operators adjustments. A hint: the shop calls it a "set-up" and some take 10 minutes - and some take most of a morning(or afternoon, you're still talking about a couple of hours) to dial it in. Remember, string guage, height, action, ALL have to be addressed. So if you don't have a Strobo-tuner or the experience to do it, be ready to pay your money.

[@hkguitar1984]

It's a Custom Shop Guitar, couldn't you just specify the truss rod be adjustable up at the nut or the new wheel type adjustment. I mean for over $4000 you can order just about any option you want.

[@2beJT]

@@hkguitar1984 That's using your noodle

[@manobap]

I have one Jazz Bass exactly the same, a sunburst Fender custom shop 1960 replica, and believe me, is absolutly amazing. Also have a Jazz Fender 1972, real thing. Both are complementary, they are the best example of two kinds of JB, because 72 is the first year they changed the bridge position and two different pot configurations, the 60s is stack knob, the 70s, the three knob sistem. I agree with you, the work at Fender CS is incredible, sounds and play pro and inspiring!

[@YonathanLeibovich]

Also try Nash strats and Fender Eric Johnson strat for non-custom shop prices and great strats!

[@GuitarJesse7]

hatuliko2009 Ditto, EJ strats are great as far as strats go.

[@trebleboost7]

I went to Sweetwater expecting to get the elite - but really like the EJ much better. but I came home with a Music Man Cutlass RS HSS.

[@CarsonCostanza]

My Nash t63 is the best guitar I’ve ever played

[@sharkman4928]

My choice mirrors yours...I like the Fender Custom Shop the best...it sounded amazing and really has that vintage vibe! The relic job on the white one was really neat as well and it sounded great too. I am a Gibson guy but I have several Strats and appreciate them and would love to play that Custom Shop Strat just to check it out. Thanks for making this video! =)

[@MikeLee-lg5vq]

"Left handed. Mistake I made a long time ago." That's why I learned to play guitar right-handed. (I'm left-handed)

[@Supperconductor]

I was born a lefty and raised a righty. Therefore I do nothing well.

[@MrBladle]

I'm a lefty playing lefty, I feel the same as him, it makes finding guitars so much harder!

[@rydock]

This. I always try to encourage lefties looking to take up the guitar to learn on a right handed guitar. They end up fine.

[@Glicksman1]

Me too. When I learned to play guitar, my friend, a right-handed player, taught me the basics. He had a Gibson LG-1 and an old Harmony archtop, so naturally I played the Harmony. I had no idea about lefty or righty, the question never arose, and anyway, I had no option.

[@patrickmulder2450]

I'm a lefty but learned to play on my dad's guitars who's right handed. So, I play right handed guitar.

[@slowpoke7888]

The pickups on that sunburst Fender sound amazing to my ears.

[@thejonnyfantasm]

Gretsch professional VS custom shop! i just want you and RJ to jam on some Gretsch guitars