I never dreamed that I would ever own anything from the Fender Custom Shop. I wasn't even looking for a new Strat , but this beauty recently found me.

http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv10 ... G_5493.jpg

http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv10 ... G_5555.jpg

http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv10 ... 5481-1.jpg

http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv10 ... G_5620.jpg


It's a 2005 Custom Classic in mint condition. One piece Ash body with a transparent Cobalt Blue nitro finish, exquisite. The flame figuring covers the entire length of the neck and from the player's viewpoint tongues of fire seem to lick around onto the high notes of the fingerboard, superb.

As I said, she's in perfect condition, even has the protective film on the plastic parts. But beyond this, the actual quality,workmanship and detailing in the finish blow my mind. Absolutely flawless. It's the first Custom Shop guitar Iv'e seen and the standards are VERY VERY VERY high.

I have decided to put it away for a few years as I am too nervous to play it, even to put a strap on it. I believe that guitars such as this will become highly collectable. The distintive grain in the Ash and figuring in the Maple make these guitars a true one-off...........Custom striping and flames by Mother Nature herself.

I actually prefer the Rosewood Fingerboard on my older Strat, so the Custom will be brought out occsionally to be loved and admired, cleaned and put away.

http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv10 ... G_5585.jpg


Does anybody know how many of these Custom Classic were made ???
I think they ran for 8 years ending in '08. The Ash body and figured neck on this one were an upgrade. I won't part with it.

I'm sure they are a great guitar to play with the old-school specs updated with the Modern Classic pickups (Hot Classic bridge) and a nice stainless steel bridge. You can still pick one up on ebay for just over 2 grand. (maybe not this nice).

Did I mention the high quality of this guitar? I think I may have.

Quality is alive and well .........Cheers Mark.

It really looks beatiful. Congrats!

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2010 American Special HSS 3TSB
Marshall MG15FX

Very nice!
So have you played it at all or was the decision to stash it away made before you got to that point?
I'm loving the way the grain of the ash looks with the blue. And you can't beat the look of such a nicely figured flame maple neck such as that one.

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G'day TDM, yes I spent a few hours on the lounge playing through a Smokey, but really, I'm not playing enough these days to justify the risk of damaging her. I have a perfectly fine other guitar. I may feel differently if I was gigging or even jamming regularly. I bought it online and was amazed at it's perfect state. Now, I just really don't want to do any damage. Not yet anyway.

You sir have much more willpower than I do! I don't believe i'd be able to put that thing down once I got my hands on it!

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Their still making em.

Heres mine.







Do yourself a favour mate, just play the thing. It's what it was made for

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No no and no

I've already done myself a massive favor mate. I've bought myself an exceptional guitar. I'm not a wealthy man, but I have the luxury of not having to use it everyday. Most of my playing is practicing unplugged or with a tiny amp, maybe a bit of composing or recording on a computer.

I just wanted to share my impressions of my new guitar with some Fender people. I'm perfectly at ease with the fact that it will see little use for a while.

No inner turmoil here mate. When I feel the need, I will reach for it. It's not going anywhere.

Thats a nice neck Nikininja. I may be wrong ,but if you just bought it, I think you'll find it was old stock. I believe the Custom Classic was discontinued in 2008 to be replaced by the Custom Deluxe - with the locking tuners and different pickups - HOT 69s ?? (SOUNDS LIKE FUN).

The point of this thread wasn't about me playing it. I just thought that people may appreciate her quality and beauty.

.....Mark.

Nah mate I did buy that a couple of years back. I surmised that their still in production, purely because of the amount of them available.

This one is a 2009
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-Custom-Classic-Stratocaster-White-Blonde-/310237743453?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item483b9c495d

I think rather than discontinue the line, Fender just lay off producing them every now and again. Then go full force on em when they can't think of anything better to do.
Notice they all seem to have the CZ5 serial no' regardless of year???


As far as hot69's go. I think the regular 69's are bad enough. Absolutely no midrange (and therefore no power). Making them acceptable for funk rhythm playing and little else to my ears.
The Modern Classic pickups you have in your guitar are far far superior items. Mine came with SCN's and S1 new. I changed them because I have a guitar with that setup. I put some very vintage sounding bareknuckles pickups in, with absolutely stock wiring. No tone control for the bridge pickup, middle pickup same polarity as the neck and bridge. Hum be damned.
If I'd had the Modern Classics, I doubt I'd have changed a thing.

Without wanting to appear too pushy, you have to play that guitar to recognise it's true superiority. What I noticed after a couple of months with mine is, all those things I do to compensate for playing issues on other guitars, I don't do on the CC. Sure it felt fantastic first time I picked it up. It took me about 3 months to fully realize just what was going on. I'm in just the same position as you, a normal bloke with no excess of wealth. I just happened to see this at the right price, whilst I was in the market for a guitar.

Whatever you do with it mate, that's your decision. Congratulations on a lovely guitar.

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No no and no

Yeah mate, there's plenty still available, as well as bodies, loaded pickguards, and necks. Seems that dealers with this model still in stock are breaking them up as people are reluctant to spend 2 grand+ on a guitar that doesn't seem so flash at first glance. Who wouldn't want to put one of these necks on their project Strat. ?

they dont have a smiley face for how far my jaw dropped! lol very nice guitar

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I like my tone like my women. Full round bottom, sweet and clean but can get as dirty as I desire.

Very nice! Love the blue against the maple.

hey nik,
how are the pickups on the custom classic?

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"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present."

oogway, kungfu panda 2008

Absolutely beautiful guitar! Stunning, gorgeous! That said - my God man, play it, play it, play it!!! Leo Fender would want you to play it!! Hell, I bet Les Paul would want you to play it!! It must be played! ...play it

..................play it. ............play it.

I think the Modern Classic pickup is one of Fender's best kept secrets. The Hot Classic also.

The BareKnuckles Sultans pickups I put in mine are great too. Very crisp, clear and percussive. Not too powerfull. A ideal pickup for country to my mind.

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No no and no

Here's one similar to mine on ebay UK. The neck looks pretty ordinary though.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... K:MEWAX:IT