WHICH CUSTOM SHOP MAKES THE BEST STRATS?

[Miget Kotla]

Even if you name just one, who do you think is at the top of the list?
I thought Fender Custom Shop but seems like a few in the group disagree.
Who makes the best custom strats?

 

[phred]

WHICH CUSTOM SHOP MAKES THE BEST STRATS?

Anderson, Suhr or Schector. Many places to blow wads of cash.

 

[Miget Kotla]

Re: WHICH CUSTOM SHOP MAKES THE BEST STRATS?

Anderson, Suhr or Schector. Many places to blow wads of cash.

Is there one that is recognized as better than the rest....at the very top?
Thanks so much!

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: WHICH CUSTOM SHOP MAKES THE BEST STRATS?

Most people assume that high price instantly equates to "better". Such is not the case.

Depending on what you want - specifically - in a "Strat", the answer can range anywhere from a $20 pawnshop Hondo to that guy down the street who Fender can't afford to hire and only builds 3 a year because of his God-like attention to detail.

If you're looking to buy, I suggest starting with the complete Fender line, from their cheapest import to their top-dollar Custom Shop. Play a few from each price range (various neck profiles, body and board woods, bridge options, nut widths, radii, pickup options, etc), then move on to other brands.

If you're asking simply to ask, then I call trolling, because this thread is about to be flooded with cliche` and knee-jerk responses.

 

[uOpt]

Re: WHICH CUSTOM SHOP MAKES THE BEST STRATS?

Even if you name just one, who do you think is at the top of the list?
I thought Fender Custom Shop but seems like a few in the group disagree.
Who makes the best custom strats?

WTF, man?

Another one of these "please tell me what's best" threads? Regretting that I tried to be helpful in the other one.

 

[LReese]

Re: WHICH CUSTOM SHOP MAKES THE BEST STRATS?

FCS is fine with me, but I'm partial to Suhr. I'd also take an Anderson in a heartbeat.

The thing with Suhr is their SSC. Single coil tone but no 60HZ hum.

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: WHICH CUSTOM SHOP MAKES THE BEST STRATS?

They are all going to build a strat to the highest quality. There's going be variation in tone regardless because no two pieces of wood are the same. The best possible built strat can still sound like not what you want. Is having the correct head stock shape important? In that case FCS. Or assemble your own using Warmoth parts to your specs or have some one do it for you.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: WHICH CUSTOM SHOP MAKES THE BEST STRATS?

I do.

Admittedly, most independent luthiers and custom shops will say the exact same thing about themselves, and almost all of us are right. Each of us does things a little bit differently, but the end result at that price point (atarting at 2k+ US$, street price, depending on options) ALWAYS needs to be absoloute perfection without reservation, and it is not possible to improve on perfection.

Anything less is a shop /company not worthy of repeated consideration that needs to either adapt their methods and improve their attention to detail, FAST, or go out of business altogether.

But if I had to order one somewhere, I`d go with Jackson /Charvel because I prefer the modified body contours and wider neck heel over the original design, and the quality is on par with any other custom shop or independent luthier.

 

[hermetico]

Re: WHICH CUSTOM SHOP MAKES THE BEST STRATS?

Use Fender Master Build capabilities. Those people will build a Strato exactly to your needs!!!!

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: WHICH CUSTOM SHOP MAKES THE BEST STRATS?

I say go with Warmoth and browse the selection they have and it will end up cheaper then any custom shop but then either you or someone else has to assemble the parts. If you really want a CS build I say either Shur, Jackson, Fender or like Zerberus said have a Luthier build you one. If I had been on this site a year ago I probably would of asked Zerberus if he could of built me a guitar but I went with Warmoth and did most of the work myself. Oh and if you do go with fender I will say that will probably be the most expensive CS out of the three I named and depending on the builder you get the price goes up. I think the guy who built Eric Claptons strat is the most expensive but he is back logged that you could never get him to build you one. Like the others said just because you blow a wad of cash on a guitar won't mean you will love the tone. I still say try some strats in a shop I'm sure you you can find one that you will love without having to go to a CS.

 

[Miget Kotla]

Re: WHICH CUSTOM SHOP MAKES THE BEST STRATS?

I do.

Admittedly, most independent luthiers and custom shops will say the exact same thing about themselves, and almost all of us are right. Each of us does things a little bit differently, but the end result at that price point (atarting at 2k+ US$, street price, depending on options) ALWAYS needs to be absoloute perfection without reservation, and it is not possible to improve on perfection.

Anything less is a shop /company not worthy of repeated consideration that needs to either adapt their methods and improve their attention to detail, FAST, or go out of business altogether.

But if I had to order one somewhere, I`d go with Jackson /Charvel because I prefer the modified body contours and wider neck heel over the original design, and the quality is on par with any other custom shop or independent luthier.

Thanks so very much! Do you have a web page? Really appreciate the information. All making sense...
Mike

 

[Ascension]

Re: WHICH CUSTOM SHOP MAKES THE BEST STRATS?

Looked at them all played them all and IMO there is no contest Suhr!!!

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: WHICH CUSTOM SHOP MAKES THE BEST STRATS?

Yeah right...

 

[0v3nm4n]

Re: WHICH CUSTOM SHOP MAKES THE BEST STRATS?

I remember reading a thread here about this subject. Everyone was saying that USCG was 'better' than warmoth, and that the warmoth compound radius was either 'hard to work with' or just plain 'bad.' can anyone clear that up for me? Thanks in advance

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: WHICH CUSTOM SHOP MAKES THE BEST STRATS?

I remember reading a thread here about this subject. Everyone was saying that USCG was 'better' than warmoth, and that the warmoth compound radius was either 'hard to work with' or just plain 'bad.' can anyone clear that up for me? Thanks in advance

I can only speak on the Warmoth neck and my neck is great for me. I ordered one with the wizard profile and compound radius. Only problem is a bit of a dead spot on the 12 fret G string. It doesn't sustain as long as other notes. Only thing I would change if I was to buy a new neck is get one with a thicker neck. I was able to set it up just fine and I can make minor adjustments from the side as well as heel.

 

[Vengeance]

Re: WHICH CUSTOM SHOP MAKES THE BEST STRATS?

If I was going to dump a bunch of cash on a custom shop it would be a Scala

http://www.scalaguitarsusa.com/images/tesori-top.jpg

 

[Ashurbanipal]

Re: WHICH CUSTOM SHOP MAKES THE BEST STRATS?

^^ Hmm, you can get different degrees of roastedness of maple?

If money were no object and I was going for a nice vintage repro, I'd get a Gil Yaron Strat (www.gilyaronguitars.com). Makes G-style too – his LP build thread on tdpri.com is more epic than the Mahabharata and Ramayana.

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: WHICH CUSTOM SHOP MAKES THE BEST STRATS?

If I was going to dump a bunch of cash on a custom shop it would be a Scala

http://www.scalaguitarsusa.com/images/tesori-top.jpg

Those necks are F%$#N beautiful

 

[tubecrunch]

Re: WHICH CUSTOM SHOP MAKES THE BEST STRATS?

Warmoth. If you're not interested in doing any assembly yourself, Tom Anderson or suhr.

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

Re: WHICH CUSTOM SHOP MAKES THE BEST STRATS?

Even if you name just one, who do you think is at the top of the list?
I thought Fender Custom Shop but seems like a few in the group disagree.
Who makes the best custom strats?

Seriously, do you have actual specs you want or are you just phoning up the Fender CS and saying, "Yes, I'd like your best Strat please. What do I want on it? I don't care, it just has to be the best one!"

There are a number of options for you to get an amazing Stratocaster. The Fender CS is one. Others have mentioned them here. Despite the very specific and vocal recommendations of some other posters here, there isn't one that is recognized as the best above all others. In the end it's all about what kind of guitar you want and which builder is going to get you there.

If this is how you buy a guitar I'd love to see how you buy a car or a house. *Calls up realtor* "Please sell me your BEST house. It has to be the BEST ONE!"