The Captain Meets John Cruz from the Fender Custom Shop!

Captain Lee sits down with the renowned John Cruz, one of the Fender Custom Shop's top master-builders!
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[@giovannicerva5522]

Take note Gibson. This is what a true spokesman sounds like. Not just someone who gives you basic info, but someone who truly loves what they do, and has a story to tell you about their own journey with the guitar and the company. Very well done. My compliments to both Fender and Mr. Cruz. And, to you too Andertons, for bringing this type of content.

[@DavidMorisset]

Giovanni Cerva watch the Bernie interview with the Beast.

[@giovannicerva5522]

Yes! Great interview with an incredible musician. But to reference my point, he’s not a company spokesman. And to more your point, both Gibson and fender can leave the PR to their loyal musicians. That’s very true. However, when a company has been in the news about issues of QC, and financial woes, I find it somewhat misplaced not having a rep. thats at the very least, somewhat engaging to listen to. Maybe I’m missing the mark here, but to those of us that do not have access to these companies, or affiliations with national acts, and have saved, borrowed, or traded our way up to obtain one their instruments, I think this interview leaves you with a certain amount disappointment.

[@TheEchelon]

Very well said

[@stratcat7162]

You can s*** on Gibson all day but if you find a used one for a great price that's all that really matters

[@PedroSantos-ob1zw]

He just got fired from Fender

[@jake-jk5rg]

John is a real credit to Fender, very interesting video, more please.

[@SmelOdies]

I heard he is no longer at Fender.

[@darrenc8776]

He got the sack

[@gonebymidnight2881]

This comment didn’t age well

[@alxmnslv]

What an interesting chap, more of this please.

[@williamsmith4439]

Mr Cruz set up my Blackie Tribute.....he is a legend and all around good guy. I called Fender and he actually listened to my amateur questions and made me feel like he cared about MY build ... Thank you so much Mr Cruz!!

[@michaelberger4227]

John Cruz Custom Guitars kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIuvdKJvo86kjM0

[@kdrake777]

Waiting for The Captain Meets John Cruz of Cruz Guitars.

[@The_Lord_Of_Confusion]

same

[@Adipsia1]

'I was going to be the best floor-sweeper that the Fender company has ever seen.' That single quote is why a John Cruz built guitar is worth every penny. His enthusiasm is infectious.

[@JasonFiske]

What a great interview. I could have listened to John for another hour or two. Thank you!

[@michaelberger4227]

John Cruz Custom Guitars kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIuvdKJvo86kjM0

[@tns4421]

When a legend tells the truth because legends do not need to fool anyone...amazing personality !!

[@SuperRickenbacker]

Putting all the other vibes aside, Fender will be a poorer place without John's craftsmanship and knowledge. So euthsisatic and passionate after all these years. This will be an opportunity for him to perhaps have a go himself.

[@michaelberger4227]

Yes, right here kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIuvdKJvo86kjM0

[@jamjunkies3639]

John is such a legend!!!

[@michaelberger4227]

John Cruz Custom Guitars kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIuvdKJvo86kjM0

[@liormolvin]

I like the builder interviews. Can you interview guitar techs?

[@Zeal808]

Don’t want to share their secrets!

[@liorauf]

What a legendary Master Builder and down to earth guy! John is a true artist! Love you man, keep up the great work!!!

[@reyngel]

Lee, I really appreciate you asking straight-shooter questions in respectful ways. It’s great that when you have opportunities to interview legends that have all the real answers to potentially controversial or tricky questions, you don’t squander the opportunity, and ask about the things we all really wonder about... as opposed to providing a dime-a-dozen cookie-cut publicity video. 👍🏻

[@curtishansen7270]

Fantastic as always!! Thanks Captain and crew and Mr. Cruz!!

[@OBandPL]

That was an amazing interview/talk you guys had. Having someone with a very good knowledge of the retail and collecting side of the business sit and ask pointed and focused questions to someone like him is something I could listen to for hours. Please do that again sometime in the near future. Thanks again!

[@888Marco]

Amazing Guy, awesome Interview. For a lot guitar guys he is the Antonio Stradivari of the 21 century. :))

[@michaelberger4227]

John Cruz Custom Guitars kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIuvdKJvo86kjM0

[@darrenc8776]

Thanks Andertons. Love John's work, one day, one day I'd love to own one of his guitars. Bucket list stuff

[@joukovaananen5951]

This is probably my favourite Andertons' video in a long while!! Awesome interview. Thank you!

[@CharliePutz]

I was on vacations in NYC three weeks ago and while visiting Guitar Center in Time Square, it just so happened that John Cruz & the guys from the Custom Shop were there for a roadshow. I got to talk to John, really cool dude and a certified legend. Too cool to see him here!

[@cven1103]

Great interview. What a wonderful guy John is, bravo Lee for being such a good listener and also asking questions we all wanted to hear the answers to. Cheers and keep up the good work, best to all at Andertons.

[@Neuri]

Great hearing from a builder thanks Lee 👊

[@XENONEZZ2]

Great interview and I think John could/should start his own company because his integrity, professionalism and honesty are so evidently on show here.

[@josefeld7164]

David H He has a signature model by chapman.

[@michaelberger4227]

John Cruz Custom Guitars kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIuvdKJvo86kjM0

[@alexrobertson1472]

Man I would love to have a guitar built by John, a guy with passion and knowledge like that you know you will get a true masterpiece.

[@44johnson38]

Lee's comment toward the end of the interview sums it up. To be so enthusiastic at this stage in his career is inspiring! Thanks for this great presentation.

[@northof50now]

His passion is amazing. Thanks Lee.

[@tomwolfe1594]

Thank you for posting this; a real treat!

[@honnaconna7312]

I just cheered when I saw mr Cruz himself on this episode 🤣 fantastic

[@weschilton]

Every time I hear John talk about his work at Fender I want to buy one of his guitars.... then I look in my bank account and cry. :( I just love his enthusiasm and his obvious love of the Strat.

[@shanewalton8888]

Surprised that Andertons didn't take this down yet.

[@SteveBlancoMusicianWarrior]

This is such a fantastic interview. Thank you for this.

[@The_Lord_Of_Confusion]

really cool guy can´t wait for his own guitars

[@boatingforbeginners7949]

This is THE MAN - Jammed full of high energy enthusiasm, Passion and dedication to his craft.. Just totally awesome

[@michaelberger4227]

John Cruz Custom Guitars kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIuvdKJvo86kjM0

[@FoodaFIISH]

Fantastic interview. I completely agree about John's enthusiasm. Great chat!

[@Stringtrees]

Fantastic edition Captain. I look forward to seeing the other episode. As I was watching this I was imagining my own spec. If only my Granny was still alive, I'd have her on Ebay.

[@simonrourke1978]

Loved John Cruz in Mission Impossible.

[@bmark7951]

Simon Rourke lame joke

[@jbolo5378]

😂

[@seamanjive]

My Tele is a relic. I've been gigging it for ten years. I put all the digs and dents in it.

[@alexn1184]

seamanjive is it a custom shop? Are you happy with it? I’m just asking for myself. Trying to figure out if I should drop $5k on a NAMM 60/63 sunburst relic strat I’ve been eyeing out.

[@SirSavesALot1977]

AWESOME interview, thank you!

[@jbolo5378]

This has been on my "watch later" list for 6 months... glad I finally watched it. Immensely entertaining

[@Prometheus260491]

This was really good! Love hearing about process and technique from a true expert, and clearly a nice chap!

[@petercozzi1772]

What a really good and interesting video..more of these ta

[@benbutterworth7584]

What a brilliant interview, legend!

[@zyvananta3356]

Another great interview. Thanks captain!

[@andyw6026]

Wonderful to see John. I bought my first "proper" guitar in 1992, a midnight blue Strat Plus, which I still have and love. When I bought it, I thought it was amazing that they'd written the name of the guy who tuned/tested the guitar, on the label (which I also still have). It was tuned by someone called John Cruz! Couldn't believe that a company would take the trouble to document that (I realise now that it was not uncommon to do this, but was amazed at the time). Never got as far as a custom shop one though....great to see John's passion and enthusiasm for what he did and still does.

[@ZayasRaymond1]

This was great! Loved listening to his passion for building guitars.

[@jw.2507]

This is gonna be great!!

[@LuckyLuke369-TeamRH]

I have a Masterbuilt Telecaster 60s NOS made by him! What a guitar that is!! Couldn't be happier! It was a lottery to get it but I made it, by chance more than any other thing.. 😁

[@kolombijec]

what a wonderful video....with so much added value just from listening toJon Cruz..soo interesting all!

[@elvagabundovatti]

Love the attitude of you both guys. Thanks for this. Greetz

[@109ki1971]

Awesome interview more of this please!!

[@sasmitha8446]

Again, the Mayer picture is taken down, I wonder why........

[@josearjona3728]

hahahahahahaha yeah... sure....

[@amirkhalid5449]

I'm pretty sure you are NOT wondering at all. ;)

[@kevingallagher5255]

Worlds Most Mediocre Guitarist lol I’m sure you’re just trying to troll but in the case you’re not then your name is 100% reflective of your knowledge of guitar playing

[@TH-gu4wj]

*eye roll* let's see some clips of you playing.

[@sprintcarsandguitars959]

painted my first mex in 93,havne't looked back since.all mine are put together the whey i want em.

[@untappedreality6021]

Great interview! John has a lot of knowledge and he's interesting to listen to.

[@craigclark5845]

Great video. What a great guy John Cruz is. Loved this interview.

[@jamesbailey5008]

Hats off to you Lee, great job with your channel.

[@ukefriction595]

Bang on! loved this interview, knowledgeable guy real enthusiasm.

[@jacobynt6851]

I pray that I love my job as much as this man does when I'm 50 years old. Awesome interview!

[@bananaboombox3620]

John Cruz seems like a really nice person to talk to. I learned a lot just from this interview. Great guy

[@pablo9364]

What a great genuine real guest. Credit to fender

[@franknguitars7671]

Hearing the sound that he was going for in the intro and the discussion around the 20 minute mark convinced me that I made the right choice with building Warmoth Strats and Teles, using quality hardware and have them set up to perfection on a Plek station.

[@JasonWharton82]

This was awesome, thanks guys!

[@stevenflamenco9859]

History in the making here!

[@NeoGeoEch13]

Captain mate I really like your videos and it's always so interesting to see so many different things, pedals, amps guitars etc. in your channel. I was watching your tour to the Fender factory the other day and it was amazing. The last year out of the love for the instrument I started building my own and I've actually almost finished my first Telecaster (only the soldering remains). Anyways, who would have thought, one of the best master builders in the world, John Cruz, started picking boxes in guitar shops and swiping saw dust off the floors, what a story to tell...

[@taylorelsner6332]

Well after seeing this video John Cruz will be my pick for master builder of my next Strat!

[@algorithm007ify]

Jacob Ray because he is scared of controversy...and the outrage that will follow from overly sensitive social justice warriors who make a mountains out of molehills.

[@DevilsAdvocate92]

That was utterly awesome!

[@dudemandudebro938]

Awesome interview!! Thanks

[@charliepayne9248]

A true craftsman in both instances!

[@frankyoung8787]

Really enjoyed this video. It's cool when the guest has a story to tell.

[@shorerocks]

What I really like is that you get to know the guys behind the guitars. These video features simply give you a personal impression I always missed in print. Same with ToneTalks, i.e. Dave Friedman / Mark, who also have a wealth of information (and stories) to share. Cool. Thank you.

[@MrBuion]

I like the Captain meet videos a lot more than gear videos. Gear is just gear, but it is always great to see the people behind the music.

[@allstopblue5717]

His story of taking apart is first guitar to get painted and then struggling to put it back together. I’ve totally experienced that lol it’s intimidating and scary when it doesn’t work and you have no money to take it somewhere. LOT of trial and error to figure it out, but you really learn a lot through the process. What a great story to go from unloading the delivery trucks at a small music store (not even getting to hang the guitars on the wall by himself) to the top custom shop builder at Fender. Really inspirational.

[@ruggerocortese4211]

Make a video about Rory Gallagher and his guitar please!! He was (he is😉) a truly, amazing, legend.

[@spotmfd9431]

Very interesting interview.

[@markaochoa2017]

Such a cool story.

[@ctruthtoday]

Great interview, Master Builder John Cruz is very knowledgeable and funny. More please.

[@berrigandavid]

Really great interview. The "Captain" seemed awed by his guest but that was a good thing. I learned a lot and the BS was really not an issue here. This was an honest talk between two people who just love guitars. Thanks so much

[@wcm5150]

Love this man. Gibson needs someone like John Cruz.

[@chuckwolfboyer7830]

VERY GOOD GUITAR PLAYING GOOD OLD RIGHT WING GUITAR 😊

[@johngreenwood1972]

What a great interview.

[@stirlingarcher2141]

I enjoyed watching the video, thanks for posting :-)

[@mileschaoen3862]

fabulous interview...will save up to buy a John Cruz master built...lol

[@JKM395]

Great interview, once again.

[@generalkenobi6869]

This is a fantastic interview

[@davidevans3175]

I have a Strat John made, I had it made by John in the Custom Shop to my specs. Its KILLER.

[@tristanvanderwalt6746]

How much for it?

[@thebipolarbear1]

Mine was $2,134

[@michaelberger4227]

John Cruz Custom Guitars kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIuvdKJvo86kjM0

[@GrimKage]

Outstanding interview, hire him!!!!

[@ozzyfarrow]

My fav vid this year would love to make guitars

[@brachapontecorvo]

While watching this video I’m waiting for my Fender Custom Shop 1962 Relic Stratocaster to arrive this week. The waiting was long, so was saving up 4000 euro’s but it’s gonna be worth it, I just know.

[@dbwvanderheijden]

And? Is it worth it?

[@Strato-Caster]

My friend John Cruz rocking all over the world :)

[@adam-yk6yd]

18:10 what a wonderful philosophy and approach to guitars Lee. Well said indeed

[@rxdoctordaddy1795]

This guy is the man.

[@KroxxfireGaming]

What a great dude John Cruz is!

[@raindogred]

Wow..Stevie Ray, Jimmie Vaughn, Rory Gallagher, Jeff Beck(yardbirds era), Gary Moore..you just said all the magic words ...if I ever buy a custom shop Master built, this the man who I would ask for to build it.

[@gbaren]

Captain,Great interview!!

[@SessionGold]

Awesome!

[@WillC]

Sir Lee you have come a long long way in overcoming your guitar biases. I'm proud of how open-minded you are. Totally agree with your sentiments.

[@Assaels]

Next time: capts meets eric johnson or David gilmour¡¡¡

[@BigEdWo]

just that People understand: Gilmore

[@AD-kv9kj]

*Gilmour

[@thebipolarbear1]

Gilmore would be amazing

[@breathtimebreath4934]

Thank you John Cruz🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏!!!!!!!

[@Scottys_Life]

What a good watch!

[@cbeserra]

Cool interview

[@joelcoool]

Saw John in PMT Birmingham, great guy, really interesting talk

[@noodle845]

Can we get Mike Bradley in there? He is a brilliant player and a good laugh too 👌

[@johanbjorklund6781]

I've owned about 10-15 different guitars, some pretty cheap and some more higher end and I consider myself picky with the guitars I choose. Especially sensitive about the neck shapes. I recently got the Tele-sickness and tried quite a few guitars ranging from the Bajas to the Vintage RI's and the Elites. None of them really got to me but the other week I tried a beautiful Nocaster CS and after about two seconds I knew I just gotta have it. Quite an amazing feeling when all of the sudden you have this new world opened for you. I've played for over 30 years and probably tried 100+ different axes but to me this one just nails it.

[@simpsimpson5175]

THANKS FOR SHARING.. one of the most fascinating posts on YT.. Once again tahnkyou very much