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Post subject: Prototype Showmaster
Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:02 pm
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According to an article I read...

"The Fender Showmaster is a model of electric guitar made by Fender, and is characteristic of a superstrat.

The Showmaster is hence its most recent foray into the superstrat niche, and was introduced in 1998. Gene Baker, the masterbuilder of Fender's custom shop at the time, was responsible for the creation of this set-neck, carved top instrument. Early Showmaster models (prototypes) were originally labeled as Stratocasters on their headstocks and are very rare."



Anyone have any information on a possible prototype showmaster designed by Gene Baker... If the article above is correct, I believe I own one. (Mine says "stratocaster on the head stock, and the serial number is 0293). I was wondering if there were any other things to look for for me to tell. Also, my showmaster has a bolt on neck. I've never seen that before...

Any idea on the value of such a guitar or where i can find any more specs on it?


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Post subject: here is a picture of it
Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 6:58 am
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Post subject: Re: Prototype Showmaster
Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 6:50 pm
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srfriggen wrote:
Anyone have any information on a possible prototype showmaster designed by Gene Baker... If the article above is correct, I believe I own one. (Mine says "stratocaster on the head stock, and the serial number is 0293). I was wondering if there were any other things to look for for me to tell. Also, my showmaster has a bolt on neck. I've never seen that before. Any idea on the value of such a guitar or where i can find any more specs on it?


It sure is a beauty. Take a look for a date on the pots or in the routes (including neck pocket). I don't know if it's a prototype. Perhaps only Fender could tell you that, but if it doesn't date to 1998 (or earlier) it wouldn't be one.

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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 7:24 am
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I was able to get in touch with Gene Baker. It's not a "prototype". That article was a bit misleading. All showmasters built before 1999 were labeled as stratocasters. Here are some very interesting excerpts from our e-mail correspondence.

"All I can think of is thats an early run of Showmaster's from the custom shop built while I was still at Fender. I dont think they got an official Showmaster decal until Corona production got involved (non custom shop production). From what I remember all Showmaster's that were built until I left Fender in Jan 99 all had regular Stratocaster logos like yours. The only ones I personally built had abalone dots for NAMM Show debut release and all 3 for the show were Teal Green like yours."

"Since I have been gone from Fender so long I dont know if its even still in current CS production. All CS models were bolt ons, although there are a few set neck versions I ran as well but they were the dinky body as used on the Suhr Contemporary Showmaster Strat. Its a 1/2 smaller all the way around and is what the MK guitar was too. From what I am guessing is they may have discontinued your body shape being a full size Strat body and I think the only other set neck versions are foreign Fender models and not US. Custom Shop didnt make a lot of them probably under 50 to 100 per year from Custom Shop. I basically handled all the Carve top model and Suhr the flat top dinky model.

The Showmaster was a combination of people involved from me, Suhr and John Page. We were given a loose guideline to create the model and yours is basically what I created. After I left Fender I never looked back and havent kept up with anything they are currently building or discontinued. Ronnee Pena or Ralph Esposito at Fender CS would be your best place for more CS related info about the Showmaster.

The bridge pup is actually supposed to be a double screw JB which is essentially a Holdsworth Seymour without the signature detail if I remember right....If it ohms out around 12K to 16K thats what it would be, if its in the 8K range then its a 59 style pup. The middles I believe were fat 50's. Been a long time..... Hope it helps. "


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Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2009 4:40 pm
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Thanks for that info.

Enjoy that guitar.

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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 6:17 pm
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[img][img]http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/paulgb/DSC00385.jpg[/img]This is the 08 CS Showmaster teambuilt HH Handwired Duncans,set neck Mahogany with Honeyburst QMT ,Ebony frettboard, Schallers,pearloid sun inlays, maybe one of the last few produced ,I think that the decision to discontinue this model had to do with popularity and that Jacksons CS is actually located in the corona factory[/img]


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 7:20 pm
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[img][img]http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp271/paulgb/guitarcases007.jpg[/img]hopefully this is a better pic[/img]


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Post subject: that guitar is flippin sweet
Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 7:22 pm
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that guitar is awsome


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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 9:14 pm
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thanks odom welcome to the forums


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Post subject: Re: Prototype Showmaster
Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 11:42 am
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srfriggen wrote:
According to an article I read...

"The Fender Showmaster is a model of electric guitar made by Fender, and is characteristic of a superstrat.

The Showmaster is hence its most recent foray into the superstrat niche, and was introduced in 1998. Gene Baker, the masterbuilder of Fender's custom shop at the time, was responsible for the creation of this set-neck, carved top instrument. Early Showmaster models (prototypes) were originally labeled as Stratocasters on their headstocks and are very rare."



Anyone have any information on a possible prototype showmaster designed by Gene Baker... If the article above is correct, I believe I own one. (Mine says "stratocaster on the head stock, and the serial number is 0293). I was wondering if there were any other things to look for for me to tell. Also, my showmaster has a bolt on neck. I've never seen that before...

Any idea on the value of such a guitar or where i can find any more specs on it?


Just got the new Vintage Guitar price guide, $1'300.00-$1'450.00 depending on condition for years 2000-present.


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