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Mathieu our specialist has just returned from his trip to Fender in California. During this trip, he was able to visit the Fender factory, meet the Master Builders of the Fender Custom Shop and design our next custom guitars with these legendary luthiers! Discover the photos of this adventure in guitarists’ paradise and … share!
To discover our Custom Shop sector, click on this link: Custom Shop Guitars
Start of the factory visit in Corona:
During this visit Mathieu followed all the manufacturing stages of Fender US guitars. He noticed that the Fender US models produced on the assembly line were not automated. Much of the manufacturing and assembly process is done by hand . Wiring, polishing, inlaying of frets & dots as well as assembly and final control are carried out by people specially trained for their tasks.
Among all the luthiers in the Custom Shop , 8 of them have won the title of Master Builder. Considered as legends in the lutherie, these 8 luthiers have collaborated with the greatest stars of music! Among the woods rigorously selected by the Custom Shop, the Master Builders choose the most beautiful pieces for their work. It is then possible to collaborate with them in order to make a completely custom-made instrument! Each of the guitars made by the Master Builders bear the signature and the soul of its creator!
This trip allows our specialists to meet the Master Builders to know their personalities and their specificities in order to better inform you or to create together the guitar of your dreams!
With the Master Builders , it is now possible to realize the craziest ideas straight out of your imagination. The partnership that we have established over the years with Fender, allow us to put you in direct collaboration with these legendary luthiers .
Meet the Master Builders!
The Master Builders are true legends in the world of music! All these luthiers have collaborated with the biggest stars of music!
Jason Smith : Order of a fiesta red Jazz Bass with an AAA bird’s-eye maple neck . The estimated wait time for a Jason Smith is one year. Jason Smith is a bass luthier and the only bassist in the crew! Mr Smith has built instruments for Flea, John 5, Michael Landau, Josh Klinghoffer, Geddy Lee, Steve Harris, Reggie Hamilton, Linkin Park, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Neon Trees and many more!
Dale Wilson : Control of a 59 – 2 tone sunburst Strat. The Stratocaster of 59 being Dale Wilson’s favorite year, it was therefore normal that Mathieu asked him to make the exact replica of this legendary guitar! The estimated wait time for a Dale Wilson is two to three years.
Yuriy Shishkov : In addition to being a renowned luthier, Yury is also an outstanding craftsman who brought to the Custom Shop the techniques used in jewelry. He created instruments encrusted with diamonds, solid gold and silver with exceptional precision. Yuriy Shishkov has also made guitars for Darrell (Pantera) , Jimmy Page and Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin) , Nuno Bettencourt , Robin Zander (Cheap Trick) and Paul Stanley (Kiss) …
Greg Fessler : Control of a 61 Vintage White telecaster . Greg Fessler being Robben Ford ‘s personal luthier, Mathieu asked him to be inspired by the guitarist’s telecaster ! The estimated wait time for a Greg Fessler is two to three years.
Todd Krause The list of guitarists Todd has collaborated with is impressive: Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, David Gilmour, Robbie Robertson, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Robin Trower, Roger Waters …)
Dennis Galuszka : The reputation of the native of the southern Calfiornia is well established! Paul McCartney , Sting and Andy Summers trust him to make their guitars!
Order of guitars and draw!
During the Custom Trip, the stay ends with a Show Room in which 90 Custom Shop and Master Builders are offered to the various buyers. Among all these guitars, a draw is made. The purchaser drawn by lot will be entitled to order the instrument in question.
Result of the lottery: Out of 8 guitars chosen by Mathieu, 6 were drawn in favor of Boullard Musique, these guitars will be exhibited in our store at the beginning of next year