So what are the differences in the Jeff Beck sig strat and the CS Jeff Beck sig strat (the current incarnations)? Just for full disclosure I have a '09 JB sig and I love it! I just can't imagine it getting too much better.

I don't believe there are any spec differences; the real difference is going to be in Custom Shop wood choice (they get the best wood), builders (they have the most experienced builders), smaller batch production, etc.

It's really up to you to play one and see if it is really enough better than your production model to justify the CS upcharge. Generally speaking the CS models are nicer, but every guitar is different. I've played some CS guitars that weren't as nice as the typical production line guitar, and I've played some production line guitars that really rival CS guitars.

I have spoke to the people at Fender about this exact subject. As mentioned the wood selection at the custom shop is better. The signature is on the back of the headstock from the custom shop and the people who build the custom shop signature model are the same people who build Jeff Becks own guitars.

Rod

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2011 Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster Pro

2013 Fender Select Stratocaster HSS

Mesa Boogie Express 525

On a tangent: It must be exasperating to those who want and/or buy signature models to find out that these overpriced production models still aren't the identical ones their heroes play. Further, that they have to shell even significantly more money for CS pieces to accomplish this while simultaneously having to endure the lead time and paying in advance for this allegedly 'perfect' guitar that they've never even laid eyes on, let alone played. YMMV.

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You dig?

Yeah I could see that being a bummer for some. I think the only way to get what your fave player rides is to have the CS master build one for you. I ended up buying mine based strictly on the specs (it had everything I wanted). I'm not even sure what Jeff's actual specs are? I'd have bought it even if it didn't have Becks sig stamped on it, actually I'd prefer not to have a sig on it -- kinda cheesy if you ask me. A real autograph that I had him sign after meeting him, sure you bet.

So the wood is a different type or a finer match, what? Is the paint different? So they are built by Jeff's "people", but are they made to match what he plays? What else is different - pickups, switch, pots, frets, block, saddles, etc.? Example, I know the tuners are chrome on the CS as opposed to the satin on the regular sig. I can't imagine that it just comes down to the folks who build Jeff's guitars and a select grain of wood, and attention to finish.

I asked the mod to move this thread to the CS forum to see if it'll get a more detailed answer.

The CS models, unless you get a Master Built from whomever is building Jeff's personal guitars (and from what I've read his #1 is a prototype he's had since around 1990 with the pickups changed to prototype noiseless pickups wound by John Suhr during his stint as a Master Builder circa 1994/95), are just a team built guitar. A Master Built by the same person who builds Becks would have the identical pots, etc. - at least identical to the most recent ones. Not sure about the tuners; I could have sworn the last Beck I saw hanging in a store had the same tuners as any American Deluxe (the kind of chrome/satin mix Ping tuners with the "F" on the knob) but I could be wrong. They could be just using up old satin finish Schallers on the production line Becks and be using chrome Schallers on the CS model.

The Fender CS has 2 lines - Master Builder who will basically make the guitar - they either do each process themselves or closely supervise another CS builder doing the job (for example they might not run the CNC machine doing a body or do 100% of the sanding but they will supervise the process and do the final sanding themselves, or they may not do the paint spraying but will supervise that process, etc.). The CS also has the "team built" process which is really the same as the Fender production line but on a smaller scale and staffed by CS builders. The Beck CS model, unless you get a Master Built guitar, is just made in the CS production shop instead of the regular production line.

When we say "better woods" that means all wood is graded when it comes in the shop. The best of the best (i.e. lightest, most resonant) wood is cherry picked for the Custom shop, the next best wood is used for the Eric Johnson Sigs (based on his weight requirement for the bodies), the next after that goes to the other USA Signatures and the American Vintage/Vintage Hot Rod series, the American Deluxe, American Standard, then down to the MIM lines.

Thanks for the explanation! Helps a bit.

So CS Sig. Jeff's aren't built by Jeff's "people" -- only the Master built option.

As far as wood selection, would core wood (tighter grain = heavier) be used on lesser models and outside wood (larger grain = lighter) be used on the premium models? Or is there some other factor that comes into play? I know grain matching is a factor at all (US) levels esp. on bodies where the grain will be seen.

As far as the tuners on mine ('09) they are the satin with NO "F" on the locking knobs. They seem to be more substantial than the "F" style ones I have on my other guits. Not sure of the make though.

You know I may have been thinking of the Master Built Claptons - I read somewhere that most of EC's are built by one of the Master Builders. Beck may only have team built guitars so they may well be built by the same people.

When I say they cherry pick wood, it would be based on the needs of the guitar. The CS just gets first crack at the wood.

It sounds like your tuners are the old Fender/Schaller satin finish tuners Fender used on Strat Plus/Strat Plus Deluxe tuners throughout most of their run (say 1988 through 1998) and of course was also used on the Beck signatures of that same time frame. It's been at least 18 months since one of the local shops has had a Beck in stock but I thought it had the current F tuners on it, but I could be not remembering correctly. Fender does have a tendency to just grab parts from the bin and use them.

They still use the satin tuners on the 2010 regular sig models (took a run through ebay to be sure).

I just bought a used 2005 and it has all satin tuners and saddles. It is the signature model not cs.