Anyone know Chris Fleming?

[Fender-guy]

I know this is a odd question and may not even be allowed to ask such a question.

I’m trying to verify this broadcaster that was made by him in 2001 as the signature on the neck would suggest. Also the initials in the bridge pickup cavity. However that’s it, no CS logo, serial numbers of any kind anywhere.

It supposedly was a project he did as a apprentice at the custom shop along side John English that was never supposed to been in production. Somehow through the years I ended up with it.

It’s a special guitar but deep down I’d love to hear from Chris the real story. I went through fender a few times but I don’t want to poke the bear so to speak. They just gave me a short answer, “the neck is real, can’t confirm the rest”.

Does anyone personally know him?

 

[Fretting out]

There’s a guy here that works for fender but he only stops by once in a while
I’ll see if I can find his username and maybe you can send him a p.m

Edit: maybe I won’t be able to find it, tried looking through my posts where I quoted him (I post here way too much)

 

[Telekarster]

Could it be possible to email the CS dept with some pics, and see if perhaps they can get you the answer?

 

[Fender-guy]

There’s a guy here that works for fender but he only stops by once in a while
I’ll see if I can find his username and maybe you can send him a p.m

Edit: maybe I won’t be able to find it, tried looking through my posts where I quoted him (I post here way too much)

Hey that would be awesome if you can find a member who might know him personally. I hear Chris is a great guy to deal with.

Could it be possible to email the CS dept with some pics, and see if perhaps they can get you the answer?

I email them twice about it will pics. The second time I asked if Chris could look at the pics or even email him directly. I got he’s a busy guy and currently at the NAMM show.

So that’s as far as I went with fender. I know it’s something he had his hands in for sure. I’m not looking for a master built COA or anything like that. I actually want to show this to him as I’m pretty sure he may have only made this one or a few as a apprentice. Maybe it was a project for himself. I don’t know. Just to show him it’s still floating around and made it’s way up here into Canada. I’d just love to know the story behind it.

 

[Broadcasted]

There's quite a few of the master builders such as Ron Thorn and Paul Waller who are very active on instagram....if you follow them you can message and they are rather responsive for how busy they are.....they could point you in the right direction at least.

 

[Fender-guy]

I actually never thought of that. I suppose I could do that. It kinda makes me feel like a stalker. Still in today’s world that the new phone number.

 

[Broadcasted]

I actually never thought of that. I suppose I could do that. It kinda makes me feel like a stalker. Still in today’s world that the new phone number.

Oh naw....they're really cool about it....I was able to reach out and give praise for a job well done here recently and the builder responded to me with very kind words....it's kind of their "Ambassadors of Fender" role the master builders carry out....like when Cruz used to do those "fender road show" meet and greats at guitar shops etc....bear in mind though it's like anything...be respectful, courteous and if it takes a while to get a response have patience as they are very busy....but Fender Custom Shop IMHO has the best customer outreach I've ever experienced from any big corporation like that....very pleased every time I reach out to them for help/service etc.

 

[Fender-guy]

Mystery solved! A member messaged me with Chris’s email. Chris did confirm he built this for himself as a prototype of a very early nocaster/tele in his very early start at the custom shop.

So it’s not a broadcaster but a nocaster! Well the only difference is the decal really. Still pretty cool in today’s world how somewhat easy it is to track down info. Either way I knew this was a special one of kind or one off build and it’s not going anywhere.

 

[Paul45]

Very cool to have it confirmed straight from the horse's mouth!

 

[donrichfan]

I know this is a odd question and may not even be allowed to ask such a question.

I’m trying to verify this broadcaster that was made by him in 2001 as the signature on the neck would suggest. Also the initials in the bridge pickup cavity. However that’s it, no CS logo, serial numbers of any kind anywhere.

It supposedly was a project he did as a apprentice at the custom shop along side John English that was never supposed to been in production. Somehow through the years I ended up with it.

It’s a special guitar but deep down I’d love to hear from Chris the real story. I went through fender a few times but I don’t want to poke the bear so to speak. They just gave me a short answer, “the neck is real, can’t confirm the rest”.

Does anyone personally know him?

Could you post a photo or two?

 

[EsquireBoy]

Could you post a photo or two?

+1 please.
Pics or it did not happen!

 

[Fender-guy]

Yeah I suppose I could. I’ve posted pics before when I got the beast but why not add a few more. It’s aging nicely, checking looks good, the nitro has sunk into the grain, weights only 6lbs.

 

[Telekaster]

NICE!!!
Chris really knows Tele's. I bet it sounds as good as it looks

 

[donrichfan]

Yeah I suppose I could. I’ve posted pics before when I got the beast but why not add a few more. It’s aging nicely, checking looks good, the nitro has sunk into the grain, weights only 6lbs. View attachment 888695View attachment 888696View attachment 888697View attachment 888698View attachment 888699View attachment 888700View attachment 888701View attachment 888702View attachment 888703View attachment 888704

That’s a beauty.

 

[Fender-guy]

Thanks guys! Yes it’s a looker for sure. It does sound really good too. Still not sure what the pickups are, either way they sound great!

 

[ephshoe]

No truss rod?

 

[Fender-guy]

Nope