CUSTOM SHOP GUITARS can be presented in three groups:
TEAMBUILT
The team built guitars is what you see the majority of here. Every year, the Custom Shop team makes a yearly selection of guitar they want to build for their yearly collection. This is often based on what dealers require. Many units of each models are made in a joint collaboration (hence, the term Teambuilt)
These guitars are then distributed worldwide for sale at vendors. So when you go to a store and see a selection of Custom Shop on the wall, you are browsing the teambuilt models. Almost the same as browsing regular USA Strats, just more limited selection, and more expensive.
MASTERBUILT
Masterbuilt is made by a singular Custom Shop luthier. You can divide Masterbuilt into two sub-categories:
Masterbuilt by customer is simply a one-of-a-kind. You go to a dealer, you fill out a spec sheet of your dream guitar and they order it for you. You wait 1-2 years and you get it.
Materbuilt for distributions are several Signatures or unique ideas. You find a few on my chronology. Each model are made in units in anything from 10 to 100 guitars, and its first come serve. Go to a store and order it and hope the have more left of it. Masterbuilt can be built over a period of time over 1-2 years. So they can be sold out, but more can be made over time. Contact Custom Shop to ask for status.
PRESTIGE
These are unique, one-of-a-kind models. The absolute pinacle of builds. Every now and then, a select group of CS Luthiers get to have a crack at building something unique where they use their skills and imagination. Many of them in collaborations with artist like painters and such. Prestiges are often made for showcasing at guitar shows like NAMM, and often just for a showcase to present at Fender website. Dealers that attend these shows can put in an order for this guitar and sell it trough their websites. Its a prestigious thing. They can also bid to buy if presented on their website.
These are highly expensive guitars that usually starts at $10.000 or so. So they are more for the player with exquisite taste and fat wallets..
Be aware that most teambuilt models can appear in other finishes and colors as well then those presented. The exceptions are Signature and Masterbuilt guitars.
Set Necks Contemporary Series (1990 - 1995)
Model# 010-3600-XXX
BODY
Wood: Chambered Honduran Mahogany w/ Figured Maple Cap
Binding: Bound Top
Lacquer: Nitrocellulose
Shape: Standard Single Cut Telecaster
Pickguard: None
Serial: Front Headstock Under Decal N-Logo
NECK
Wood: Honduran Mahogany (w/Maple Reinforced Inserts)
Fretboard: Pao Ferro or Brazillian Rosewood
Neck Lacquer: Nitrocellulose
Neck Profile: "C" Shape (Slim)
Inlays: White Dot
Headstock: Standard Telecaster Matching Color
Nut Width: 1.6875" (43mm)
Nut Material: Bone
Scale: 25.5"
Radius: 12"
#Frets: 22
Fretwire: ?
Trussrod: Headstock Adjust
MicroTilt: No
Contoured Heel: No
HARDWARE
Bridge Type: Standard 6-Saddle Hardtail String-thru
Bridge Marking: None
Saddles: Satin Steel Block Saddles
Tuners: Standard Schaller Die Cast Sealed Tuners
String Tree: 2 x Ezy Glide
Knobs: Knurled Dome
Neckplate: None (Set Neck)
ELECTRONICS
Switch: 3-Way Blade / Stratocaster Switch Tip
Wiring: Master Vol + Master TBX Tone (DPDT: Coil Split)
Pickup Config: HH
Neck Pickup: DiMarzio H4 Humbucker
Bridge Pickup: DiMarzio H5 Humbucker
INFO
CASE: Tweed Hardcase
Price: 1991 - $1649.99
Decal:
Colors:
Sapphire Blue Transparent (827)
Autumn Gold (829)
Antique Burst (837)
Crimson Red Transparent (838)
Ebony Transparent (839)
INFO:
From the Fender Telecaster book, by AR Dochossoir:
In Spring 1990 John Page, recently appointed manager of the R&D department and the Custom Shop operations, and Steve Boulanger, Custom Shop engineer,developed a novel type of neck joint to solve this predicament. From this moment on, it became indeed possible for Fender to produce a "set-neck" guitar without a classic dovetail joint or a finely balanced neck pitch. The new neck joint was immediately applied on a new breed of Telecaster guitars. With the help of Jay Black, two prototypes were quickly put together for the June 1990 NAMM Concention to test the waters with dealers. In a matter of weeks. orders began to pour in and on July 26, 1990 the SET NECK TELECASTER was officially included in the Fender price list.
The Set Neck could be termed as a classic blend between a Fender and a Gibson solid body. The mahogany body is enhanced by a bookmatched curly maple top with a contrasting white binding, but to make the guitar lighter than, say a Les Paul, and improve its resonance, the core body is drilled with eleven 1.5" diameter cavities. The neck is also made of mahogany, reinforced with maple insert for extra rigidity whilst the headstock is painted to add a touch of class. The 22-fret board has a flat 12" radius and, depending upon the version, is made of either Brazilian rosewood or ebony. Three distinct version of the Set Neck Telecaster have been simultaneously introduced over Summer 1990: