Took a leap of faith and ordered a Mod Shop Telecaster

[burntfrijoles]

I realize that this is basically an American Professional series build but with a few embellishments not available in their production series.
It's a leap of faith because of Fender's "no return" policy but it should be well made with hopefully a little extra care and attention. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I received a new email this morning stating "we'll begin production shortly" and the promise to send additional updates during the build.
I will do a full review of everything when it arrives.
I'm hoping that the neck won't be quite as blanched as the simulated build model and I think it may be from the unboxing YouTube videos I've seen for Mod Shop Strats and Teles. It's somewhat of a crapshoot. Fingers crossed. If all goes well, this could be my last Tele although I would love to have a Cabronita.

 

[RCinMempho]

It should be awesome. Very close to what I would get except I can't decide what color.

 

[Toadtele]

How exciting!

 

[gballmichaels]

Awesome. If I buy another Tele, this is the route I am taking, and would do just like you with the 'bucker in the neck. Very nice.

 

[boris bubbanov]

I'll be looking to see how the pole pieces on the neck HB match up with the strings going overhead. Strings should be inboard of the outermost pole pieces, by an equivalent amount. Otherwise, that would bug me.

Question: Will they build this for you with 375K pots? IMO that would be closest to optimal, one single coil and one WRHB.

Another question: Why does the heel look almost "S" in shape, not the usual "T"? Rendering error, I assume. Distracting.

 

[Kamen_Kaiju]

that's super cool. Congrats.

 

[Jakedog]

I'll be looking to see how the pole pieces on the neck HB match up with the strings going overhead. Strings should be inboard of the outermost pole pieces, by an equivalent amount. Otherwise, that would bug me.

Question: Will they build this for you with 375K pots? IMO that would be closest to optimal, one single coil and one WRHB.

Another question: Why does the heel look almost "S" in shape, not the usual "T"? Rendering error, I assume. Distracting.

It’s because of the 22nd fret. It’s an overhang. Much preferred design for me over the traditional 21 fret Tele neck. But it definitely doesn’t have a “vintage” appearance.

 

[tomtama]

I have something similar, it's a Limited Edition Elite. Great pickup combination.

 

[Stu Cazz]

I realize that this is basically an American Professional series build but with a few embellishments not available in their production series.
It's a leap of faith because of Fender's "no return" policy but it should be well made with hopefully a little extra care and attention. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I received a new email this morning stating "we'll begin production shortly" and the promise to send additional updates during the build.
I will do a full review of everything when it arrives.
I'm hoping that the neck won't be quite as blanched as the simulated build model and I think it may be from the unboxing YouTube videos I've seen for Mod Shop Strats and Teles. It's somewhat of a crapshoot. Fingers crossed. If all goes well, this could be my last Tele although I would love to have a Cabronita.

View attachment 1393427

I'd buy one like that only changing to a darker, and thicker neck, the rest is spot on!

 

[badinfinities]

Very nicely spec-ed! It gives me Albert Collins vibes.

 

[boris bubbanov]

It’s because of the 22nd fret. It’s an overhang. Much preferred design for me over the traditional 21 fret Tele neck. But it definitely doesn’t have a “vintage” appearance.

But it doesn't look like any of the 4 22 fret overhang American Standard/Series guitars I have. Or, not to my eyes.

 

[Despres]

I like how your statment ends with "If all goes well, this could be my last Tele although I would love to have a Cabronita."

I was just explaining to my wife this morning that a new guitar-sized box may be arriving on our doorstep soon, but stressed it could be the last guitar I buy - even though I was also thinking in the back of my mind "but I would love to have a Cabronita."

 

[Matthias]

Enjoy! I think this is a great service and the mark-up reasonable, with the caveat dealer discount on standard spec models makes the price difference a bit wider. I’ve played with the configurator a few times myself and always gone the partscaster route. But It does appeal to me as a sort of “custom shop lite” offer and a bonafide Fender. I think all assembled in Corona like the Pro IIs, too? They have some very interesting limited options sometimes.

 

[43mmNut]

Looking forward to your review, Congrats!

 

[telemnemonics]

What specs did you change from production model?
Seems like a great service, where FMIC does not make a Telemnemonics autograph Esquire!

 

[burntfrijoles]

Question: Will they build this for you with 375K pots? IMO that would be closest to optimal, one single coil and one WRHB.

Another question: Why does the heel look almost "S" in shape, not the usual "T"? Rendering error, I assume. Distracting.

I think that’s just the computer generated image of fretboard heel. Every video of a mod shop guitar shows the typical heel.
The humbucker is neither a PAF nor a WRHB, or even a Shawnucker. It’s specifically voiced variation that’s less hot and supposedly matched to the single coil bridge.

 

[schmee]

But it doesn't look like any of the 4 22 fret overhang American Standard/Series guitars I have. Or, not to my eyes.

The end IS very radiused, more than a Strat it appears. Not sure why but "meh" who cares. Then again, it's not built yet right? It may be an AI rendition.

 

[Jakedog]

But it doesn't look like any of the 4 22 fret overhang American Standard/Series guitars I have. Or, not to my eyes.

Looks the same to me and I’ve had a ton of them. Maybe we’re both screwed up.

 

[burntfrijoles]

I think this is a great service and the mark-up reasonable, with the caveat dealer discount on standard spec models makes the price difference a bit wider.

I agree. At face value it's reasonable unless, like you said, you consider whatever discount you can negotiate with a retailer.
Still, I couldn't get a vintage blonde finish, classic gear tuners, my desired neck profile or the humbucker configuration in any other manner. It's not a Custom Shop so you can't specify a darker "vintage" tint neck, a Seymour Duncan humbucker, sorting for a lighter weight body, etc but it's fair. I almost opted for the White Blonde (it was nip and tuck) because it's a great finish and lighter chambered ash body but there was something about the vintage blonde that began to appeal more to me.

 

[burntfrijoles]

I was just explaining to my wife this morning that a new guitar-sized box may be arriving on our doorstep soon, but stressed it could be the last guitar I buy - even though I was also thinking in the back of my mind "but I would love to have a Cabronita."

Great (or demented) minds think alike. There is something about a Cabronita that just appeals to me. It seems like a perfect marriage of the Filtertron and Telecaster.
Fender should realize that the Cab would be a welcome addition to the product line even it was just an FSR model.
I think Fender's product line lost a lot when Mike Eldred departed.