"You dont need a custom shop" But "you cant go wrong with a custom shop"

I love the refreshing honesty from Baxter and Johnathan. How often do they do something like this? "We could make a lot of money, but we're good people so we're going to be honest with you." Not only are they super talented, but they're also decent human beings.

At this point in life even a Gibson Les Paul standard is a dream guitar never thought about a custom shop

Your amazing guitar isn’t going to make your crappy amp sound better, but your amazing amp is going to sound great no matter what you plug into it. 🎸

The stages of typical custom shop buying method I've seen are: (1 - just purchased) I love my new dream custom shop guitar (2 - after a couple of months) I'm going to change the pickups/saddles/tuners/etc. (3 - after six months) It's a great guitar but I just can't bond with it so I'm selling it to finance my dream guitar.

One of my favourite memories from working at guitar stores was when a guy came in who had recently retired and wanted to learn guitar. He had the very reasonable budget of around $200-$300 for an acoustic. I spent a solid hour with him chatting and demoing all different levels of guitars. He left with a $4k Larrivee and became a regular - always coming in for his strings and stuff and telling me just how in love with that instrument he was. I completely agree that starting with a CS is unnecessary but, if you can afford it, buying a guitar you'll grow into rather than out of is definitely the way to go.

At 64 I started to take lessons and purchased a Breedlove acoustic-electric. Once I knew I was going to continue lessons, I purchased an American Fender and loved the guitar. I figured the time was a wasting and then made a jump to a Suhr Guitar, which I still own today after 8 years. The feel of the Suhr, I just know where my fingers are on the guitar, It's kind of eerie.

Nailed it , enough said You’ve really got to respect these guys and their honesty Pretty rare nowadays for a shop to help you out as much as they would (At least in my case) As usual ,,,,, great content

I really appreciate you guys in these vids and the attitude you have on guitars. Finding what works for you, what fits you as an individual is more important than pricetag, brand name, headstock shape, etc etc. I've owned so many guitars over the years from American to Mexican, from Standard series to Custom shops, Fenders Gibsons Deans Gretsch Guildand so many others. Some of my favorites have really surprised me. I used to have a Danelectro DC59 I got for dirt cheap and with all those other guitars sitting beside me that Danelectro was my main instrument until it was stolen. Having had the best and worst in ranges from starter series and pro series guitars, I find some of the oddballs to be just as good if not better than a Fender or Gibson custom shop. There is something so special about the level of care and quality in the craftsmanship of a custom shop guitar. But sometimes you find those same qualities in unexpected places. My current main guitar is a Washburn WI64 which I picked up used for about $300, and I may be biased as Washburn was the first brand guitar I ever played growing up but this thing has the fit, finish, quality, feel, and that magic something that I missed from more expensive guitars. It literally feels and plays like the best SG you could get your hands on. Perfectly rolled fret edges, immaculate fingerboard, everything about it is perfect. And it was built in Indonesia. Lately I've been seeing a lot of very high quality builds come out of Indonesia, it has me excited about imports again. Whoever is running that factory out there, keep it up!

I buy the guitar or amp that makes me want to play more and of course puts a smile on my face… that’s what it’s all about …

Bought my first CS this year. 70th Anniversary Broadcaster, and it is amazing. Took me forever to decide what I wanted to invest in... I decided on a Tele but bought into the history. I appreciate it so much having played every single level of guitars you talked about. Now all I can think about is my next one. They are worth it but as long as you have the experience to appreciate it.

man I love this channel. Just always seems like a fun honest conversation, and makes me wish the shop was closer to where I live.

Very needed topic indeed! I am now in a process of building my dream rig. I had a cheap LTD guitar and a Roland 15CUBE for years, but I always wanted a strat. Last year I've got my self a MIM strat and a Marshall DSL40CR. Was happy as hell! The differance was HUGE. Now i've bought myself a black Tone King Imperial Mk2 , it is in my music room , and I am at sea , working as offshore guy and will be home by Feb 2022 if I am lucky, lol. My wife makes jokes now, that I want to see the amp more than I want to see her, haha. So cannot comment on the TK, as I did not really owned one before. The other thing now is the guitar, honestly I am torn appart between AO and CS, been at a shop and from 5 CS onley 1 was a really magical one, but the price is almost 2.5 times higher than an AO. BTW this MIM strat is now with me on a ship, together with Blackstar portable amp lol, just detached the neck of the strat and accomodated the instrument in my luggage, one happy sailor here :D

Thank you guys for the great content! I think when considering rather to go with a custom shop guitar or not, one has to consider the law of diminishing returns. There comes a price point gap between guitar series where more expensive doesn't necessarily yield exponentially higher quality. For example, the Fender Player Series Strats at $799 are exponentially better in build quality, playability and sound then the Squire Bullet Strats at $189. Meaning for roughly 4 times the money or $600 you can get a Strat that sounds a plays 10 times better. However, when you look at the difference between the American Pro II at $1499 and a Custom Shop Strat at $4500, sure the Custom Shop Strat may be a better guitar but improvements/upgrades don't justify the $3000 difference in price. Essentially with spending the extra 3 grand you're definitely getting a guitar that is moderately better, but not exponentially better. Hence, I think for regular guitarists on regular budgets (not wealthy collectors) we have to consider the law of diminishing returns to make sure we get the best value for our money. Perhaps an episode on the law of diminishing returns and guitar gear would be good. :)

Literally the last video Casino put out- a Fender Telecaster custom shop. Never change you guys 🙂

I found a made in korea epiphone double cut I fell in love with it..Changed the pickups and it came alive P-90 lollars its a keeper I love it so much so you never know what you'll find got it at an estate sale.. Keep looking and you'll find yours,.. rock on people!!!!

Totally agree. I have a Taylor 214 DLX and I like it better than some of the higher end Taylor’s. Get two great guitars as opposed to one custom shop.

I picked up an American Pro 2 Strat this week Don't know what more a Custom Shop can give me that I don't get from this guitar. It's phenomenal. I have 11 other guitars and this one is a keeper. Love the neck carve and the pickups.

Love the show! Keep up the great work gents.

you buy the amp to please your ears, you buy the custom shop to please your hands

I played all the guitars in the biggest guitar shop in my city, and other stores. And the best one in the end was the fender custom shop 62/63 Stratocaster sea foam green. So I bought it, the best guitar there was, that’s the only sensible way to buy what you feel is the best.

I started off with a Gibson SG tribute and played it for like 15 years. I always coveted an American Strat and when I finally got one in 2020 it was everything I expected and more. By far my favorite guitar now. I wanna get a custom shop now tho. Lol.

I agree. I will say I may end up with a custom acoustic guitar because I am needing a few things with the neck scale, profile and string space to accommodate my wounded fret hand.

You guys are the fiduciaries of the guitar world. We need more shops like you.

I recommend players figure out exactly what they dig about the instruments they love and why before taking the plunge. Also, if you're a steady working musician and the Fender Custom Shop has made a team built in the past that fits your specs. There's NOTHING wrong with getting a gently used one if you're going to be gigging it. It took me a few years after coming back to playing after years away to figure out I don't care for modern neck specs. It then took me years more of steady gigging and trying vintage instruments in shops to figure out exactly what i do and don't want in an instrument. Both my main basses (CS 55 P and AVS 57 P) were purchased barely used and have served me well on thousands of hours of shows in the past almost 10 years. Combined they cost under 3k at the time. Well worth that investment then, and I'd still spend it now at current prices. No question. Best decision I ever made as a bassist. (Besides going back to playing full tube rigs) Did I NEED either of them? No, but they were definitely investments in my playing and my enjoyment of it. Also, If you dig old school Fenders a used American Vintage Reissue can still be had for sub 2k and will give you a lifetime of quality playing. BTW, Y'all helped me quote a CS 51 P recently and I've decided to hold off on a one off for another 3 years til I hit 50. (it's a really big purchase) The email I received back was super informative on the process, and offered me realistic options as to how to choose financially between a Masterbuilt and Teambuilt as only one option I wanted would put it over the line. In the past I have dealt with two other showcase dealers on possible quotes and y'all are definitely the cream of the crop. Putting customers first. A rarity in today's world. Keep doing great work!

I bought my first gigging amp when I was 18 years old, in 1970. I found an ad in the newspaper for a Fender Twin. Got there and it was owned by a steel player, and in mint condition. 1968 Silver Face Twin w/JBL speakers. My first clue should have been the weight, the JBL's had ~15 pound magnets! The amp weighed about 100 pounds!! LOL I took it to the gig that night all happy, proud.. and sweaty, in the 50 seat country bar. Plugged in my Gibson ES325 (yes, 325) for the first time... and you know the rest!! LOLOL That was one of many lessons learned the hard way!! 8) JMHO --gary

I scratched and saved to buy a PRS private stock..found one for sale used with literally the same specs and model I wanted to order….every detail I wanted including the finish and pickups. Only thing was the inlay type but I liked the inlays it had more. I had the money for it cuz I was saving to order one. Bought it. Best guitar I’ve ever played period…and everyone else I let play it says the same.

A great playing guitar is a joy... But bottom line is still..."It's not the tools that make the craftsman"... However...A great playing guitar IS a joy😉😎👍 😎👍❤🖖

Definitely appreciate it the honesty. I probably won’t ever get a custom shop Fender or Gibson when I could support an amazing small builder like Chase from Gullett Guitars or Thad from Shumaker Guitar Works

I think that with Fender making entry level guitars priced at 800 to 900 is CRAZY. I my opinion a Clasic Vibe is the new entry level!!!! I have a 60's Classic Vibe Strat with a Hot Rod Deluxe and I am as happy as can be. Would I like a Custom shop, sure I would but do I need it no!!!

Great input as always fellas!!

Speaking of Taylor. I have a 214 CE Koa and freaking love it. It sounds amazing. It sounded the same as the 8 series to me. To save 2500$ for a slightly different sound was a no brainer for me.

As a player, I have a broad array of price point guitars - still no custom shops. I play what I like. One of my favorites is a Classic Vibe I bought used. It plays so nice, and I don’t feel that I need to baby it. Great advice on amps! What about pedals next? My thoughts, a nice tube Fender with the right pedals can mimic a Vox or a Marshall.

I had aspired to own a Gibson Les Paul Custom throughout my young playing years. I grew up on Ibanez and Japanese Fenders and Jacksons however. When I finally had the funds and bought that LP Custom I was slightly underwhelmed. Aesthetically, that was the guitar, it looked amazing and I was picturing Rhandy Rhoads, Jerry Cantrell, Zakk Wylde, all the guys I grew up on who were LP players and I’d learned their stuff on my Japanese made production guitars… that was then when I realized I’d really found the types of guitars I’m accustomed to and love to play. I traded up that LP Custom for an Ibanez J Custom. A dumb deal on my part? Oh yea… but that was ten years ago and that Ibanez still gets played every day to this day

Great advice here to pay more for the amp and less on the guitar. That’s very important and will have the biggest difference. Knowing what gear you’re really needing is the biggest battle. It can take years to find that and it’s probably not about the price you actually pay.

Totally agree with all this. I wish I had listened to people when I was starting out and saved up more to buy a higher quality guitar as my second one but now that I have the means to purchase a higher end instruments I’m loving having them. I don’t think I would have appreciated it if I had gotten one in the beginning.

Literally JUST ordered my first custom shop last night after fighting the urge for a long, long time. GEE THANKS, BOYS. :)

I would love to have a Taylor 214 CE but I have a Martin Dreadnought Junior and it's a great work horse. It does everything well.

The only custom shop guitar I've ever bought is a Heritage Custom Core H-150 that I bought as a demo this year. It had one scratch on the back, but the flame top on it is amazing! It was $3000 cheaper than a comparable Gibson, and I'll never part with it.

Man that’s a big subject. So many factors goes into a guitar decision. Money,feel,playability,mindset, and what is going to get you to play more. I have a Nashville Custom shop ‘59 es-335 reissue and it’s cost is way, way over my ability to play. It falls into my mindset category in that it makes me smile to hold it. You need to feed your head if you can afford it. Ummm, now that I think of it, beg borrow or steal a custom shop. You can’t go wrong imho LOL

One thing I learned a while ago is to get a guitar in your hands and see if it speaks to you or not. For example, I've had Squire and MIM Strats and Teles that felt better than some more expensive American made models. Yet, some other examples just didn't cut it. Quality control today is amazing compared to decades ago but there still are subtle differences so get one in your hands and make the decision based on feel and sound, not price tag.

My dad was a collector & he left me quite a few nice guitars when he passed. I actually *play* a Mexican Telecaster 99% of the time, because it’s just perfect. The rest come-out for a spin now & then, but when it’s time to track or play a show, it’s my Telecaster. (Natural finish with tortoiseshell guard … It’s a 2010 special edition.)

Not trying to raz you dudes, but I truly lol’d when the next suggested video in my queue was from your channel and titled “Why You Can’t Go Wrong With a Fender Custom Shop Guitar.” 😂

I did the opposite- Les Paul Custom to Strats and Tele's and invested in a vintage 1966 Fender Deluxe Reverb with an Alnico Celestion bulldog speaker, never been happier.

Baxter, I have a Dearmond 260 Acoustic P90 mounted J160E style on my 1965 Dove and Love the P90, Most players Don't Need a Collectors Grade Guitar that Either Breaks the Bank or leaves them broke and eating Spam and Ramen, and the level of Entry Guitars has Risen So Much that many of the instrument's in an Affordable price range play and sound Close enough to save the Extra cash , unless a performing Pro or Stupid Rich. I am 67 and My High end pieces were acquired over Years or Trading, saving and remaining nearly broke to supply my gear Fetish and so unless you Love Ramen morning noon and night, opt for a Decent Good Guitar and Stop buying Names and buy what you play. Shops Hated Me, because if there were 30 Guitars on the wall, I played all 30 so I got the one that played the best and sounded Amazing

Get PRS Core Model. They're all 'Custom Shop'. They just don't make any bad ones, period.

As someone who tries to buy the best I can - in a buy it for life sort of way, not so much in a status way, it's just me in my house, there is no status beyond that, I look at the custom shops and think "yup, those are the guitars I need". Fortunately there's another voice that says, "hey, you're a beginner that can barely get through easy Nirvana right now, $6k Gibsons and Fenders aren't going to change that. And the whole point of those guitars is literally in the title - custom! Custom to me. And I'm an inexperience beginner with more money than brains (guitar wise at least), that doesn't know what I want. What type of neck do I like? Ummm a good one. What sound do I want? Well.... Post Rock, Tom Petty, Tool, Noel Gallagher, most classic rock, grunge and some rock blues thrown in. I still have to go down the road to figure out what custom means to me. So thanks for the honesty guys, I'm easily a guy that could enter a shop and be dazzled by something expensive on a wall that wouldn't be right for me. It's good to know there are people with integrity out there to help people get the thing that's right for them.

My first electric was a CV 50s Tele and my second was a Gretsch Electromatic Pro. I’m still a beginner, but I’ve played some cheap stuff and know that I hit the groove with what I have quality wise. More would be wasted on me as a player, less would make me want to stop playing.

Example, I just purchased a fender squire hardtail strat for my son. I've been playing for over 40 years and have owned custom shop tele in Olympic white wash(2000) , fender American strat with Texas Special pick ups in shoreline gold (1998) , and a fender mustang (1969) orange with competition stripes. Let me tell you guys... This little hardtail that sells for $169 absolutely rocks. Great beginner guitar. Great intonation, and great sound though my fender 2×10 hot rod deluxe

I had the opertunity to play a fender player plus... I was surprised. That thing was awesome and I'm not just saying this. It felt superb, frets were perfect and neck was smooth. It sounded great too. Who needs a custom tbh

Great subject! I think trial and error is the best way to go. Water should seek its own level. And maybe have a little fun on the way

i figured out your riff C-Am-G-Am. I'm proud of meeself

I went through a series of unfortunate musical events but they are about to pay out! Essentially, I'm getting a completely hand made instrument for the cost of parts. You may end up getting lucky and getting a 3-4k guitar for less than half of that. I never would be able to afford one at full price but keep those peepers peeled and don't be afraid to talk with builders!

After playing guitar for 60 years, I finally treated myself to a Gibson Les Paul Custom. It’s gorgeous and when I play it, it’s a special experience.

I guess I'm not too big on the custom shop guitars. They are beautiful instruments, no doubt. Definitely in excess of my ability to play. I appreciate y'all's honesty and transparency. A big reason why I watch your channel.

Got my little classic vibes telecaster. Been using it for a year and I think it will be another couple of years before I upgrade.

I'm a pro player and I do have several high end guitars. That said, some of my favorite and go to guitars are NOT the very expensive models that I keep as collector's models and never take to gigs. I also paid $400 for a Squier 60's custom tele re-issue. I dropped in Fender IV generation noiseless pickups, a bone nut, a push pull for out-of-phase tones, and a brass compensated saddle for an extra $300. Total cost including labor = $700. The same guitar with Fender on the logo is $3400 in the custom shop. Seems to me that I came ahead with a savings of $2700.

From a ‘64 Duo Sonic to a MIM beater Tele to an American Strat…I tried a Gibson SG and the neck rake felt like the neck was trying to wrap around my back. I did find a Les Paul that I love, but it’s a Traditional with a baseball bat for a neck. Still love Fender over Gibson.

Great idea to get a "good" American made guitar along with a nice amp that will make your guitar sound fab!

Find a light weight used American or Mexican strat. Get it PLEK’ed, the fret ends rounded, and the fingerboard edges rolled and a proper nut, bridge adjustment and it will play as well as any custom shop. You will probably want to replace the pickups too.

I have a custom-shop g&l asat Deluxe. Very very nice guitar. I picked it up used and to be fair, I'm a lefty. Good guitars are few and far between so you grab what you can get! So yeah, unless you're dripping cash, maybe a custom isn't for everyone and that's just the economics of a custom - they cost $$$ But, having gotten it used and at a good price- I do like my custom guitar.

Stop, collaborate and listen .... !! hahaha Baxter, that was awesome, I was thinking the exact same thing! hahaha!

It's great hearing guys like this say they want to sell you what will meet your needs and price range instead of their own. Refreshing. I've been in so many stores where I overhear customer conversations with sellers and the seller is like "oh yeah we got something for you, take a look at the prs custom" and the customer seriously said he hasn't played in 15 years and just wants something decent to fiddle around with. Then I have to go over to the guy and say look, if you want something to kinda rekindle your passion, just something that plays good, take a look at some of these yamahas and stuff like that. The seller is trying to rip u off and sell you what you don't need

I called Baxter and the team at Casino to find out about a custom shop. I found out that it was NOT what I needed thanks to my friend Bax who got me into an American Vintage II Jazzmaster instead. Half the price and all the power!!! Now I’m headed towards getting into it and I can smell that sweet Two Rock in my future! 😊

Lol hell yeah I want to see you two play a game of Warhammer 40k! Watching you guys talk guitars and nerd stuff is pretty much a recreation of me and my friends hanging out.

After this video I realized I don’t need a custom shop because…….. I’m gonna win the lunar ice 🧊!!

The only guy that’s says you don’t need a CS is a guy that owns one.

Gotta say this is great advice. I have several American original teles, and a few custom shop teles. The custom shop teles are only slightly better sounding and feeling. But the look and vibe of the CS is unmatchable

I started playing Fenders and FSOs in the late ‘80s. I don’t buy Fender CS now, I build my own. Right now I’m building my version of an FSR LTD custom deluxe closet clean ‘58 P bass. 1-pc quarter sawn maple neck from Musikraft, 1-pc swamp ash body with nitro lacquer transparent white blonde finish, Klein ‘58 pickups, Gotoh Res-O-Lites machines, custom made 10-hole black anodized scratch guard, etc.

I was told to line different guitars up before buying and only once has the most expensive guitar won. I actually play the other ones a lot more. They just feel good. I love my blues jr. and Mexican Tele.

yeah I'd have to agree . . . don't think about custom shop until one is intermediate / advanced and played lots of guitars, then they know how to customize . . . plus tons of guitars that are cheap and easy to play (sire) / have features of moar expensive guitars for newbs. Also amps, don't need boutique cuz so many great cheap amps out there (even non tube) but a good boutique cab and matching amp . . . spending time is pretty crazy what I'm finding out about my guitar preferences . . . I found with electrics I could play anything (any neck / radius) and if I spend a few days it grows on me . . . but I like strats, teles and ES-335's. but acoustics, I tend to like 12 fret and 14 frets I can get cozy but I keep thinking about 12 fret . . . I've had 2 stages of guitar, one was dabbler / collector 4 years but quit and sold it all . . . then came back . . . and now I'm into actually learning, taking lessons, and taking steps to mastering but got a metal reso and have an acoustic now . . .. trying to get electric but keep gravitating back towards them . . . now p90's i never had a p90 in the old collection (dozens of electrics) but might consider one once I get four electric f00d gr0ups. . . in the near / distant future

I have a custom shop Precision bass. However, I think the same thing can be achieved with parts and a really good setup. For a lot less money.

“ AVRI. “I want to keep it a secret but I’ll help some of you. That’s all I’ll tell you.

I say if you do want the custom shop, just wait and save up. You’ll buy a nice high end guitar but you’ll sell it down the road for your endgame guitar. It happened with me with my Les Paul. I got an amazing USA standard but I ended up selling it for my dream 57 Les Paul custom reissue.

Play what you love and love what you play.

I don't NEED a Custom Shop but I sure could use that Luner Ice. I would play it everyday !

great advice!

My first electric guitar was a Univox hollow body. The strings were flat wound and were about a foot off of the fretboard. The salesman didn't offer to have it set up and I didn't know to ask. It looked beautiful to me, but ripped up my fingers to shreds. -I could have used a Custom Shop. :)

I've never played Custom Shops but after getting a great production line Fender and Gibson I don't really feel the urge like I did when I was still playing "beginner" instruments.

So many guys have no idea - I was sitting in my local Sam Ash checking out the Epiphone Dot - a guy walked in determined to buy a new 335, which probably went for about $2600 at the time. He took it off the wall and handed it to me saying "you're already warmed up, play this a bit for me". Huh? I took it and started to play, wondering why this guy would pay that much for an axe he wasn't even going to try. I pretty much immediately handed it back, telling him that unbelievably, the fret ends were not dressed at all, they were ripping up my hand! There was another 335 there, it played real nice but I said "if you're gonna buy this, you need to demand that the repair guy clean this thing up first". Why anyone would buy an expensive guitar without playing it first is still beyond me to this day!

My first "good" guitar was a MIM 50s Player after picking up every sub $1000.00 guitar in guitar center. I could afford more but I couldn't justify spending more, then I ordered an Epiphone. I played it a few times then ordered a case for it so I wouldn't have to see it. I kinda hated it... Two months later I went straight to the 50's American Original in pictured in my Avatar. I've since filled out my collection with several Strats and Teles between the MIM and the American Original, with a Gibson Studio, Silver Sky, and an offset with P90s thrown in as well... On the acoustic side I got my GS Mini, an SC13, and a Breedlove 12 string. At this point all I have left to get is a Thinline, maybe one shredder guitar which I have no business playing, and I'm looking for that used Team Build CS (or maybe a Tom Anderson) that has mojo and I can't put down. I don't want to order a CS because I'm afraid I'll spec it exactly like I want it and when I get it in my hands it just won't feel or sound right because good on paper doesn't always work.

I’ve owned a few Gibson Custom Shops. Originally a great R8, then an amazing R9, and a sunburst flame 335 on top of that (still own the last two). But some of my favourite guitars are both waaaaay cheaper. I have a 1960 reissue Les Paul Classic and a 1967 Flying V reissue that are fucking amazing. You really need to feel a guitar in your hands to appreciate its mojo.

My favorite level of guitar, is something fit and finished like an American Standard from Fender, 90's and on. That's comfort zone in fit and finish, I'm comfortable playing them live, they are fair priced, though similar makers are this level and better for similar money now. For sure, that's my jam, Fender American Standard. Now for amps? I was always a lucky kid... Matchless Chieftan for me. Tone? I has all the tone with it.

G & L Guitars , USA Built Guitars are amazing. I love my G & L Asat Classic Bluesboy.

I played a Skinnerburst at gc once. Idk if it's worth 10 grand but it was an amazing guitar. Oh and arm wrestle

They are right. You don’t need a custom shop. You need a lot of custom shops….

Those am pros are tough to beat! …on the side convo about 5w amps though…I agree so much. Less is better. Would love to cart in my 5w Benson Vinny for you guys to check out. It’s the bees knees.

I’ve had multiple les Paul standards traditions prs 594 . I prefer my musicman cutlass I always go back to that bought on clearance at CME marked down because the new roasted necks were out. Best guitar I every played

The message I needed to hear today after looking at custom shops and then looking at my bank account!!

Everyone always forgets about the Vibrolux when talking Deluxe's and Twins. The perfect in-between man, 35 watt, 2x10 speakers. Peach!

do you guys like slimmer stratocaster contours or or thicker bod strats

OK, you got me. I've been watching you guys for a while now (not in a creepy way though) and have now just subbed! :)

I learned on Fenders and the first time I picked up a Les Paul, it felt so weird. The carved top made it seem like the strings were running downhill from the bridge to the nut. To this day, a Les Paul still feels different than what I perceive as “right”, despite the fact that I own a few and have spent probably 90% of my time playing them over the past couple of years. Muscle memory can be a tough thing to change, I guess.

I don't need a Custom Shop but, I do need a Fender Tim Lerch Signature Nocaster if it ever happens...

I've personally struggled with getting a custom shop for a few years now. When I picked up playing the guitar again (I stopped playing for over a decade) I REALLY wanted a guitar that was spec'd out to my exact wants/needs but I can't justify the cost of one given my playing abilities. Over the past two years I've cycled through six different guitars trying to find "the right one". In the end, it would have been cheaper to just get the custom shop that I wanted from the get go.

This is dope of yall

Fender and Gibson for the most part are designed to be inexpensively made and mass produced. I am still interested in a long tenon Burst reissue, and the right D-28 style guitar… These guitars have a particular structure, and the right instrument with the right neck would give me a lot of playing enjoyment. They both hold a solid cash value if I need to trade them for another one that I like better. A plank body Fender is just as easy to mod a cheap model or kit build… Wonderful platform, easy to “custom shop” your own.

If you play enough guitars, and know how to tinker, it's really easy to make your own CS happen for under a grand. I did spend more than that on my LP Special, but it's so good it didn't need any tinkering.

After owning a few higher end Gibsons and core PRS models, I find that I like my Les Paul Special and CE24 more.

My current favorite guitar is my 2018 AO 60s Telecaster. It reminds me of a Custom Shop guitar, but at a 1/3 the price.