Brad should check out that thread. There's a huge disconnect here that FMIC has failed to address and there is no resource at hand at the moment

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"Another day in paradise!"

What I think will be interesting is whether it become a viable option to travel to Corona and spec up your guitar through this new program, than to place an order for a teambuild guitar through the FCS.

I can't help but think that it will reduce FCS sales. Not of Masterbuild instruments because they're a whole different kettle of fish, but say you want a Strat with a black thin-skin nitro alder body (a la VHR57 Strat), 60's spec thick C neck (a la VHR62 Strat) and Texas Special pickups, previously you'd have had to go through the FCS, whereas now I assume you could alternatively do it this way (since nothing in that guitar is not something used in a production line guitar.

I also wonder whether this is something that, if it works well, could be rolled out to other places? Think about it. You could have one in New York, London, Tokyo etc where people go in, spec up the guitar (just like in Corona) and then the order details are sent electronically and the guitar shipped out to wherever. Yes there'd be increased overheads, but it could still work out cheaper than the FCS route.

Will be interesting to see what the cost implications are...

Also Brad, will there be limitations relating to Artist model parts? For example, could someone spec up a Clapton Strat but with a flamed maple top and trans blue finish? Or have Big Dippers in a guitar that's not a John Mayer Strat?

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How did it sound to you?

Maybe the online option is right down the road. It would make use of the guitar builder section. Lot's of areas that they could be heading.

Again, The custom shop is a new concept to me I never looked into it on here.It must be that anyone who wants to buy a guitar with the cs must be in the music business and the average person (me) can't even think that way.And I guessed a grand would build me a nice guitar.I'm basing this also on the recent american special guitars that sold for $800 (a pretty good guitar imo) and since it was retail it could be cheaper at the visitor but I havent been so I do not know.All this speculating and no facts.I do remember on this website about ten years ago for a short while you could buy fender replacement parts.It was short lived and I think a year later it went to catalog and then gone.I reckon parts were pretty cheap so that's why they stopped it.In fact I remember seeing a whole guitar at a local shop and it was like $600 reminisent of a 62 I believe well at least the pickguard.

In the time i get there i'll tell the custom shop guys with my specs to build me a 50s rock strat with HSH config alder body maple fretboard maple neck 2 color sunburst Dimebucker humbuckers with coil tap and Texas Special in the middle. 10 way switch (aka 2 5 ways together in one) and Buddy Holly's signature imprinted on back of headstock. Thats the original specs i wanted tho my other one looked better but a 10 way switch isnt a bad idea right?

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Musos can be a pain!!!

But if you have 15,000 they will give you free Fenders

Well, for starters they won't put Buddy Holly's signature on the guitar, they wouldn't be allowed to.

I'm intrigued about your 10 way switch - I've never seen one and am eager to hear how it works - what are the pickup combinations?

And will you be telling the Custom Shop guys this be before or after your celebrity jam session?

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How did it sound to you?

Freddy should be rest assured that the Custom Shop is exclusive to individuals who earn their living in the music business.
The brief footage I saw of this new venture suggest that there may be a limited number of stock options one can choose from in this build. What's missing in all of this are the details, details, details.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Well, I'm from Québec,Canada...it's a bit far far far from home....I think it smells like a road trip if my wife want to go.

Erratum........NOT EXCLUSIVE......

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"Another day in paradise!"

[quote="AdrianJordanMusic]Also Brad, will there be limitations relating to Artist model parts? For example, could someone spec up a Clapton Strat but with a flamed maple top and trans blue finish? Or have Big Dippers in a guitar that's not a John Mayer Strat?[/quote]

It's a clever idea. Kinda like Cold Stone Creamery or one of those 'make your own sundae'
frozen yogurt venues of which I saw several when I was out in Calabasas, CA four weeks ago. [a home grown version of reliablefender, where the customer picks out the parts and the company re-assembles the guitar oops: ]

I'm waiting for them to make available their 'menu'...neck and headstock shapes, fretboards, frets, body styles and routings, hardware options, electronics options, and finishes as well as costs, just to get a better handle on what the possibilities are.

IMHO, I don't think this is Custom Shop level. The approach is far too cosmopolitan and mass appeal directed. More like parboiled pasta waiting for the final order...pre-fab and disassembled factory level gear which gets a special neck plate afixed to it once it's put back together again. It would have to be at a price point competitive with their vendors to make the juice worth the squeeze and, if it stays in Corona, well only their West Coast dealers have issues, not the world. I don't see them going mail order with this........yet. But'cha ne'vah know

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"Another day in paradise!"

It's basically 2 five ways together
You get 5 more pickup combinations but with the tone bypassed

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Musos can be a pain!!!

But if you have 15,000 they will give you free Fenders

But you only have 3 pickups so the most combinations you can have is 7...so please explain to me what each of the 10 positions are...

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How did it sound to you?

Well the first one is the bridge and neck together and the second one is bridge by itself and 3rd is bridge and middle (with tone rolled off) and 4th is bridge and middle with tone. 5th is middle rolled off and 6th is middle with tone on. and 7th is neck with tone rolled off and 8th is neck with tone on and 9th is neck and middle with tone on and the last is neck with hum canceling position

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Musos can be a pain!!!

But if you have 15,000 they will give you free Fenders

[i]Squier[/i]. .......and you might have a look at Premier Guitar with respect to this component.

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"Another day in paradise!"

I posted a bunch of pictures and video here.

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/my-othe ... -23-a.html