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.
Decal:
Colors:
Aged Vintage White (517)
Limited Edition Series (2022)
Model# 921-5008-517
BODY
Wood: 2-Piece Select Ash
Lacquer: Nitrocellulose
Shape: Standard Telecasterw/ Stickers & Ductape Rear
Pickguard: None (But has Screw Holes)
Serial: R+6 digits (Neckplate)
NECK
Wood: Flat Sawn Maple
Fretboard: Maple
Lacquer: Nitrocellulose Relic (Worn Rear)
Profile: Custom "C" (.830 - .920)
Inlays: Micarta Black Dot
Headstock: Standard Telecaster
Nut Width: 1.650" (42 mm)
Nut Material: Bone
Scale: 25.5"
Radius: 7.25"
#Frets: 21
Fretwire: 6230 Vintage Frets
Trussrod: Heel Adjust
MicroTilt: No
Contoured Heel: No
GOLD HARDWARE
Bridge Type: 6-Screw Syncronized Vintage Strat Tremolo
Other: Cut-Off 3-Saddle Vintage Bridge For Bridge Pickup
Bridge Marking: FENDER
Saddles: Non-Offset Steel Block Saddles
Tuners: Schaller M6 Chrome-Plated Die-Cast Mini Tuners
String Tree: 3 x Butterfly
Knobs: Knurled Dome
Neckplate: 4-BoltBlank Aged Plate Serialized
Screws: Gold Screws on Tremolo, Control Plate & HB Ring
ELECTRONICS
Switch: 3-Way CRL /Top-Hat Switch Tip
Wiring: Reversed Control Plate: Std Modern N/NB/B
Pots: Master Volume / Master Tone
Pickup Config: HS
Neck Pickup: Curtis Novak Custom Terry Kath HB / On Mount Ring
Bridge Pickup: Custom Shop Hand-Wound '67 Single-Coil Tele
Masterbuilder: Dennis Galuszka
Case:CS Deluxe Tweed Case w/ Velvet Red Interior
Case Candy: Standard Supply + Strap & COA
PRICE: $16.000 - $20.000
#Built: 50 guitars made
DESCRIPTION:
Terry Kath has been praised by fans and guitar greats alike for his brilliance as an absolute guitar powerhouse. Kath, who Jimi Hendrix once cited as his favorite guitarist, fused sophisticated songwriting ability with his soulful vocals to launch Chicago Transit Authority in 1967. The band shortened its name to Chicago in 1969, achieving worldwide success and 2016 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. A consummate innovator, Kath created mind-blowing, never-before-heard guitar tones by experimenting with unorthodox guitar/amp configurations. His instinctive command of his completely original tone is heard on memorable tracks such as “25 or 6 to 4”, “Free Form Guitar”, “Introduction” and others.
His main guitar—the one with which he is most identified, and which accompanied him on the journey to cult status—is a most unusual 1966 Telecaster, completely customized and plastered with stickers. Kath was so attached to the guitar that he’d buy a seat just for the instrument when traveling by air, rather than entrusting it to airline baggage handlers or even Chicago’s road crew. The Tele® was an amalgamation of highly personalized modifications, including a sawed-off Tele bridge with a synchronized Strat® tremolo, a humbucking neck pickup, custom body routes, a reverse control plate, custom tuning machines and three “wing” string trees. Adorned with Pignose stickers and other intricately placed regalia, the guitar has become legendary in of itself and is synonymous with Kath and his enduring musical legacy.
