NGD: 2011 (new) Custom Shop Deluxe

[Jared Purdy]

Some of the details of this NGD guitar story popped up in another thread where I was debating which of two guitars I should consider, and I had asked for some opinion.

Yesterday I went back to the shop that had both, and the decision was very easy. I was looking at a 2013 Strat Deluxe with a V neck, and the Custom Shop Deluxe. There are a couple of similarities between them, namely the 2 point tremelo and the locking tuners (though the CS version has staggered tuners which did away with the string tree that is found on the regular Deluxe). However the saddles on the CS are the same as those found on the Jeff Beck model, made from solid, polished, stainless steel, which are not the same as those found on the regular Deluxe. The CS also has abalone fret markers, like the regular Dexluxe, and the cut away on the heal for greater ease of access up the neck. The similarities pretty well end there.

The body is two piece ash with astounding grain, the neck is AA birds eye maple with a deep C profile, and the fret board is also AA birds eye. The PUs are "master built" in the CS, and they are totally night and day to the SNC or the N3s. Best of all, they are very quiet, in all 5 positions. I'm a happy camper!! The pics are not that grerat as the weather is very overcast and snowy, and the light is not that great in the house.

[glen smith]

That sure is a beauty!

[rapaul76]

That is a gorgeous strat! Congrats and happy playing.

[Jared Purdy]

Originally Posted by glen smith

That sure is a beauty!

Thanks Glen, As an aside, do you know why Fender would not have put a string tree on the head stock? I believe that the Eric Johnson model doesn't have one either. What would be the reason for that, advantages??

[phoenixash]

the Tuners String posts have graduated heights so no need for the string trees. Beautiful Guitar.

[GriffinBF]

Beautiful, that's a lifer right there. o/

[YoGeorge]

Originally Posted by Jared Purdy

Thanks Glen, As an aside, do you know why Fender would not have put a string tree on the head stock? I believe that the Eric Johnson model doesn't have one either. What would be the reason for that, advantages??

My US Hamer Daytona (strat) and T-51's (teles) from the 90's also have no string trees--the headstock face is set back further and the tuners are graduated. The string tree is just one more point where the strings can bind if you are bending or using the trem. The fewer friction points you have, the better the guitar will stay in tune. The nut is your only remaining concern.

My EJ strat also has no tree, and interestingly has vintage type Kluson tuners in staggered heights, whereas my Hamers have graduated locking Sperzels.

NICE guitar, Jared!

George

[Jared Purdy]

Originally Posted by YoGeorge

My US Hamer Daytona (strat) and T-51's (teles) from the 90's also have no string trees--the headstock face is set back further and the tuners are graduated. The string tree is just one more point where the strings can bind if you are bending or using the trem. The fewer friction points you have, the better the guitar will stay in tune. The nut is your only remaining concern.

My EJ strat also has no tree, and interestingly has vintage type Kluson tuners in staggered heights, whereas my Hamers have graduated locking Sperzels.

NICE guitar, Jared!

George

Thanks George!

[Zillinois]

Wow, very nice!! It reminds me of my '09 FCS "Custom Deluxe" except, mine has a flame maple neck instead of birds eye, and probably a few other differences as well.

[Jared Purdy]

Originally Posted by Zillinois

Wow, very nice!! It reminds me of my '09 FCS "Custom Deluxe" except, mine has a flame maple neck instead of birds eye, and probably a few other differences as well.

Thanks, and I see you have great tastes in finishes too. What PUs do have in yours?

[Zillinois]

Originally Posted by Jared Purdy

Thanks, and I see you have great tastes in finishes too. What PUs do have in yours?

I have a fetish for two tone & white Fenders.
According the Fender Custom Shop website and FCS Retired Models, it has the following as stock pickups. I know Fender also made some changes to the model as they went along.

1969 Strat (Neck)
RWRP 1969 Strat (middle)
Texas Special Strat (bridge)

Looks like the 2011 "Custom Deluxe Stratocasters" had "Master Design Pickups", whatever that means, and the 2012 model had "Abby's Handwound".

[Wyoming T/A]

Jared,,SWEEET Guitar--AWESOME Neck--congrats

[Jared Purdy]

Originally Posted by Zillinois

I have a fetish for two tone & white Fenders.
According the Fender Custom Shop website and FCS Retired Models, it has the following as stock pickups. I know Fender also made some changes to the model as they went along.

1969 Strat (Neck)
RWRP 1969 Strat (middle)
Texas Special Strat (bridge)

Looks like the 2011 "Custom Deluxe Stratocasters" had "Master Design Pickups", whatever that means, and the 2012 model had "Abby's Handwound".

Yes, I find the description of the master built PUs on the 2011 CS Deluxe to be utterly devoid of reference. I had to do some digging to find out that they were done by John Cruz and are supposedly based on the Texas Special. I have also heard that those Abby hand wound PUs are supposed to be the same or similar to CS69s.

[Jared Purdy]

Originally Posted by Wyoming T/A

Jared,,SWEEET Guitar--AWESOME Neck--congrats

Thanks!

[Starrman44]

Congrats, man. I based my Kirn loosely on the Custom Deluxe...