It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 10:34 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Should I buy a Custom Shop Strat unplayed from mail order?
Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 7:07 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Sep 02, 2013 8:56 am
Posts: 99
Right, I'm going to be selling something pretty dear to me in the next couple of months (GSX1300R Hayabusa, I've had since new). Long story, not going to go into it, suffice to say I'd said I'd never sell it but I've decided to so...............

I want to replace it with something a bit special for obvious reasons and that is going to be a Custom Shop Strat. Probably a Black Heavy Relic 68/69 (large headstock).

The problem is I live on an Island without a proper Custom Shop dealer so I can't try any out to get a feel for them and it's unlikely that I'll be able to get to a store in the UK that has one in stock.

Do I order one unseen from a large mail order chain? (Thomanns, GAK, Guitar Guitar).

What I want from the guitar:

- Mojo
- Not looking for gigging capability as I have two Plus Deluxes and a Les Paul which fit the bill there nicely
- It needs to chime (I love my lite-Rosewood Tele for this reason even though I know it's not a custom shop)
- It needs to feel special and have that Custom Shop stamp on the back

What I'm worried about:

- It's a lot of cash to drop on a guitar unseen, most I've done that with was my no. 2 Strat plus which I was more than happy with though, at £700 from ebay
- Neck shape, I'm happy with loads of different shapes but I don't get on well with thin necks with 7.25" radius, the 68 seems to have a 9.5" which suits me fine but I really want to know what the shape is like
- For this much money I don't want to have to send it back
- I’ve heard of some issues with overly rolled fret edges. I’m handy with guitar tech so most setup problems wouldn’t an issue for me but overly rolled fret edges would
- 68/69s aren’t shown on the Custom Shop Website, are they standard from the Custom Shop? Worried that they may sell out before I can get one

Thoughts?

Cheers

Sacha

_________________
89+91 Strat+Dlx
MIM FSR Strat
LP Std
MIM Tele
Tele Lite-Rswd
MP Jag
Homebuild Colt
Dano U2
Charvel SDI Lacewood US
Tokai V
Hondo II LP Jnr
Martin 00028-EC
Hand-made 000 acoustic

Marshall DSL100H/TSL100/MA100H
Fender Bls Dlx
Bugera V5
Orange Micro-terror


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Should I buy a Custom Shop Strat unplayed from mail orde
Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 9:09 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Sep 02, 2013 8:56 am
Posts: 99
Or maybe the Fender 2014 Proto Strat although it's not reliced!

http://www.thomann.de/gb/fender_2014_pr ... mn_blk.htm

_________________
89+91 Strat+Dlx
MIM FSR Strat
LP Std
MIM Tele
Tele Lite-Rswd
MP Jag
Homebuild Colt
Dano U2
Charvel SDI Lacewood US
Tokai V
Hondo II LP Jnr
Martin 00028-EC
Hand-made 000 acoustic

Marshall DSL100H/TSL100/MA100H
Fender Bls Dlx
Bugera V5
Orange Micro-terror


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Should I buy a Custom Shop Strat unplayed from mail orde
Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 11:31 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2008 4:52 pm
Posts: 1129
Location: UK
I think the answer to your question, "Do I order one unseen," is really the only option you have, if you can't, as you say, get to a CS dealer...or maybe even, any Fender dealer!
I recognise the situation, as I also live on an island.
There IS another option, and that is to take a trip to a dealer that does have the guitar you want, but I realise that adds a lot to the cost of the guitar, unless it's worked into a holiday break!

One thing is to find a dealer that A, you can trust, and B, you can work with, in regards to pricing, shipping, etc. I think the stores you've named all have a good reputation, and are all used to customers buying unseen. I would add another, simply because I have had very good experiences with them, and that is Coda Music in Stevenage.

I know you don't want the hassle of returning a guitar you don't like, but it is going to be an option that's provided by all those stores.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Should I buy a Custom Shop Strat unplayed from mail orde
Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 9:22 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 10:34 pm
Posts: 10760
Location: Athens, Greece
Image

The nut looks kinda sort of a graphtech or tusq.

The specs list did mention of two texas specials in the neck & middle and a fat 60's pickup in the bridge.

Something wrong went with the specs or it's a new pickup design from the R&D team?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Should I buy a Custom Shop Strat unplayed from mail orde
Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2013 6:39 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2013 6:36 am
Posts: 1
Sacha Plus Deluxe wrote:
Right, I'm going to be selling something pretty dear to me in the next couple of months (GSX1300R Hayabusa, I've had since new). Long story, not going to go into it, suffice to say I'd said I'd never sell it but I've decided to so...............

I want to replace it with something a bit special for obvious reasons and that is going to be a Custom Shop Strat. Probably a Black Heavy Relic 68/69 (large headstock).

The problem is I live on an Island without a proper Custom Shop dealer so I can't try any out to get a feel for them and it's unlikely that I'll be able to get to a store in the UK that has one in stock.

Do I order one unseen from a large mail order chain? (Thomanns, GAK, Guitar Guitar).

What I want from the guitar:

- Mojo
- Not looking for gigging capability as I have two Plus Deluxes and a Les Paul which fit the bill there nicely
- It needs to chime (I love my lite-Rosewood Tele for this reason even though I know it's not a custom shop)
- It needs to feel special and have that Custom Shop stamp on the back

What I'm worried about:

- It's a lot of cash to drop on a guitar unseen, most I've done that with was my no. 2 Strat plus which I was more than happy with though, at £700 from ebay
- Neck shape, I'm happy with loads of different shapes but I don't get on well with thin necks with 7.25" radius, the 68 seems to have a 9.5" which suits me fine but I really want to know what the shape is like
- For this much money I don't want to have to send it back
- I’ve heard of some issues with overly rolled fret edges. I’m handy with guitar tech so most setup problems wouldn’t an issue for me but overly rolled fret edges would
- 68/69s aren’t shown on the Custom Shop Website, are they standard from the Custom Shop? Worried that they may sell out before I can get one

Thoughts?

Cheers

Sacha


Hi Sacha. Mark from GAK here. I noticed that you mentioned us in this thread and I thought I should say hello! If you've got any questions about Custom Shop, or the process of ordering one with us, drop me a PM on here, or even better, an email at mark[dot]packham[at]gak.co.uk

I look forward to hearing from you. Let's have a chat about Custom Shop!


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: