Fender Custom Shop alternatives

[horsehead]

Thinking of saving up for a strat relic...always wanted an olympic white 62 with rosewwod fret & (if poss) a flamed maple neck, but I'm wondering if Fender custom shop is the way to go or go down the bespoke route? Are there many other makers out there doing it, I know of Nash (who I haven't tried), but is that it? Which are worthwhile?

All help greatfully derided ;)

[tomjackson]

Try these:-

http://www.bravewoodguitars.co.uk/

http://www.rebelrelic.com/

[AndyR]

I would recommend the Roadworns - if you get your hands on a good one, they are stunning instruments. But, I was after a sunburst and, I have to say, I think the Olympic White version looked a bit tacky to me...

I've seen Nash, but not tried them. I have tried McGuire (look at Vintage & Rare's website), and nearly went for one, but they seemed a bit steep pricewise for what they were (to me personally, this is). And when I found my sunburst Roadworn, it kinda blew them out the water on feel etc (and at half the price!).

If you can find one to try, I would advise you check out the Roadworns - just to rule them out of your equation. If you liked one, even adding BKPs, replacing the nut and caps, getting a fret-dress, you're still several hundred under something like a McGuire.

You've got a CIJ 62, haven't you? As a point of reference, mine was #1 ever since I got it... until the Roadworn arrived at home. I was actually looking for a sunburst CIJ 62 when I tried the Roadworn :lol:

(Of course, if you've already tried RWs, and decided they're not for you... then ignore all I said!!)

EDIT: Them rebelrelics look cute :D

[roland_rat]

I know that Brian Eastwood does relic strats.   

http://www.brianeastwoodguitars.co.uk/prices.html


I have no idea just how good they are.  Im guessing Johnathan at feline may be able to tell us more on that.  I know he had one of Brians guitars that did  some work on.


Hope it helps

[Twinfan]

You need to watch the specs of McGuire's and Nash's etc.  They tend to have proper vintage appointments like skinny flat frets and round radius necks.

Fender CS stuff comes in a variety of vintage and modern specs, so there's a lot of choice out there.  There's also the resale question.

I, personally, would check out the Roadworns and used CS stuff unless you need something really specific...

[HTH AMPS]

these guys are local to me and the quality is spot on... http://www.crinsonukguitars.com/

[Oli]

A friend of mine got a Fender Custom Shop  strat, very similar spec to yours actually, aside from the colour, and I have to say, it looks and plays fantastic-- the relic is very good indeed, it would certainly fool me! They're very accomodating, and will try and do anything that you request-- he had a clapton-style block put in behind the trem, and a Tele profile neck, and that was no issue at all :)

[horsehead]

guys thanks for  that. Ian the crinson ones seem to be teles only, but I do like their relicing. I've seen the bravewood & they do look beautiful, has anyone tried one? I love this one:


Andy, I do have MIJ 62, it's lovely (though in need of stoning or a refret at the mo)& it's it's still me no1. I'd love to get one like that, it has a set of mothers milk in there & it's amazing. I love the weight, the feel everything & if I could strike lucky like that again I'd bite someones hand off, but like most things, sometimes you hit it lucky & sometimes you don't. I tried a roadworn 50's a while back & it played well but nothing amazing...could be that it was just in the need of a setup (7.25" fretboards do not enjoy a low setup). & I've seen the 62 roadworn & didn't think it looked that bad (quite liked it actually) so I don't think I was not looking at those as an option, but just thought I didn't want it to look like everbody elses I suppose, oh vanity my name is.

Just bee nhaving a thought (yes..ok pipe down at the back). I remember the hot rod strats came out a while back in 62 olymic white, maybe get a deal on that, then get it relic'd? Whatcha reckon?

[nfe]

guys thanks for  that. Ian the crinson ones seem to be teles only, but I do like their relicing. I've seen the bravewood & they do look beautiful, has anyone tried one?

I think Philking has one.

[38thBeatle]

A friend of mine has a Bravewood. Absolutely superb in every way. It has to be one of the best Strats I have ever played. The friend in question is one of those who is never satisfied and is constantly buying selling trading guitars but he has kept the Bravewood and raves about it. That alone tells me something.I have said that if he sells it he is to give me first refusal.It was previously owned by a reasonably well known blues player I gather.

[PhilKing]

I have 2 Bravewoods (64 strat with humbucker in the bridge & 62 stack pot Jazz bass), and a 'restored'  original 61 strat that John made a new body for and did a refret and set up.  All of them are great, they feel like really old guitars.  The Jazz is the best Jazz bass I have ever played and stacks up evenly against my real 66 P-bass.

[horsehead]

has anyone tried one of the Hot rods & know of a good relicing service?

[tomjackson]

Just read the Bravewood website, he does not make guitars to order.  A few pop up for sale on the website every month then you have to be quick to buy it before somebody else does.  So even waiting for a Strat with your specs might take years. 

Then I'll buy it before you do :D

[AndyR]

Let's see how many posts we can get in before someone acknowledges his Hot Rod question :lol:

Sorry - don't know nothing about them...

I can provide a passable relicing service though...

Sample price list:

a) Soldering iron burns while trying to replace strat capacitor without taking off strings - £5 per burn
b) Dents and scuffs above scratchplate from playing guitar while wearing cufflinks - £10 per Hour
c) (If nitro finish) Guitar-stand rash - approx £20 (depends on how long it takes - I have to find somewhere else to store the old socks and the guitar that usually sits on the stand).
d) Accidental screw-driver cuts and gouges - free with any other screw-related work.
e) Dents from wife moving kitchen chairs without noticing guitar in vicinity - £30 a dent (she takes a lot of cheering up for each dent she makes)
f) Quotes available for custom "accidents"

:roll:

Yeah I love my CIJ 62, and I feel a bit bad the Roadworn has passed her (my wife gave me the CIJ). But! All is not lost - my wife has a set of Sultans hidden away somewhere for my birthday pressie. I think the CIJ is about to get a new lease of life :D

I have to admit, if I was really into relics, Bravewood is what I'd be considering. But it looks like you've got to be "really" into getting one :lol:

[horsehead]

Andy...do you takecheques?