We're Nihei and Oda, in charge of electric guitars!
Established in 1987 as Fender’s premier division, the Fender Custom Shop
The Fender Custom Shop is responsible for creating models that stand apart from the regular lineup—including not only mass-market models but also reissues of vintage models and the production of signature and artist models.
Within the Custom Shop, models are divided into “Team Built” and “Master Built” in addition to the regular line, and the Master Built Series represents the pinnacle of the current Custom Shop lineup.
The Master Built Series features guitars crafted by Fender Custom Shop builders who are among the most experienced and knowledgeable in the company—true masters of their craft—with each builder handling every step of the process, from selecting the wood to the final finish, all by themselves.
We’ve just received several “Master Built” guitars—models crafted by these builders who have earned the absolute trust of the world’s most legendary musicians!
Here’s a quick look at the Master Built Series models we’ve received and the Master Builder who crafted them!
Telecaster Thinline NOS Masterbuilt by Yuriy Shishkov
While adhering to the traditional specifications of the Telecaster Thinline released in 1968,
this 2015 Telecaster Thinline features a 22-fret neck with mother-of-pearl inlays—a design that could only be achieved by Master Built!
Click here for the product page
Yuriy Shishkov
Born in 1964 in the former Soviet Union.
Born in 1964 in the former Soviet Union.
He is the only Master Builder to hold the title of “Principal.”
He began building guitars in the former Soviet Union in 1986 and later moved to the United States in 1990.
After serving as a master luthier at Washburn, he joined Fender in 2000. He currently holds the most important position on the Master Builder team.
His greatest strengths lie in his intricate inlay work and artistic decorations featuring gemstones and other embellishments.
In recent years, the “Violin Master Telecaster”—a Stradivarius-inspired model he designed—made headlines when a limited edition of four was released in Japan.
Notable Artists Who Use His Guitars
◼︎ Jimmy Page
◼︎ Paul Stanley
◼︎ Nuno Bettencourt
◼︎ Prince
◼︎ Keith Urban
1960s JAGUAR Rosewood Neck Masterbuilt by Greg Fessler
A special 2017 Jaguar featuring a rosewood neck, crafted specifically for a show in Japan.
The use of rosewood for the neck alone makes this a truly special instrument, but with its Desert Sand body finish, it’s a one-of-a-kind piece from top to bottom!!
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Greg Fessler
Born in 1961 in California.
He joined Fender in 1990 and, with a 33-year career at the Custom Shop, is the longest-serving Master Builder in the company’s history.
He was involved in the creation of Robben Ford’s signature model—which later came to be known as the “Esprit”—and eventually became Robben Ford’s dedicated builder.
His meticulous attention to detail has earned him the support of many artists, and numerous top guitarists have been captivated by Greg’s craftsmanship.
Notable Artists Who Use His Guitars
◼︎ Joe Bonnamasa
◼︎ Jeff Healey
◼︎ Hank Marvin
◼︎ John Mayer
◼︎ Rhonda Smith
◼︎ Neil Schon
◼︎ Pete Wentz
◼︎ ken (L’Arc～en～Ciel)
1958 Stratocaster Relic Master Built by Paul Waller
A Stratocaster crafted for the 2011 Tokyo Guitar Show.
Featuring an alder body, a maple neck, and a 7.25" radius fingerboard, this guitar was crafted in a vintage style!
It’s equipped with Fat 50s single-coil pickups wound by Abigail Ibara.
This is a 1958-spec model rarely seen in the regular lineup!
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1953 Esquire Master Built by Paul Waller
A 2021 model in Heavy Relic finish, reissuing the Esquire—which has been part of Fender’s lineup since 1950.
A distinctive feature of the 1953 model was the wider 12th-fret position mark, and this guitar faithfully reproduces those original specifications.
The 3-way switch, which normally functions as a pickup selector, serves as a tone selector here. Although it has only one pickup, it allows you to produce a variety of sounds: high-cut, regular tone, and straight tone.
This Esquire has such a commanding presence that at first glance, you might mistake it for a vintage model!!
Click here for the product page
Paul Waller
Paul Waller
Paul Waller
Born in 1979 in California.
He built his first guitar at age 14 in his high school woodshop and decided to pursue a career as a craftsman.
He joined Fender in 2003, studied under numerous Custom Shop builders, and was promoted to Master Builder in 2010.
He has worked on guitars for numerous legendary guitarists, including Buddy Guy and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones. Among Japanese guitarists, he has also crafted numerous models for Char.
Notable Artists Who Use His Guitars
◼︎ Adam Clayton (U2)
◼︎ Bono (U2)
◼︎ Keith Richards (The Rolling Stones)
◼︎ Ronnie Wood (The Rolling Stones)
◼︎ Buddy Guy
◼︎ Nile Rodgers
◼︎ Troy Van Leeuwen (Queens of the Stone Age)
◼︎ Char
1954 Stratocaster Relic Master Built Series by John English
A 2004 model recreated by legendary master builder John English based on the very earliest Stratocaster specifications.
Featuring a maple neck and ash body, it is characterized by a punchy yet well-defined, clear tone.
The dark brown two-tone sunburst body features fine weather checking throughout, and the relic finish—visible in various places—gives it a very refined look without being overdone, showcasing the craftsmanship of John English, who sadly passed away in 2007.
Click here for the product page
John English
John English
John English
Born in 1950, passed away in 2007 (at age 57).
He joined Fender in 1972 and helped build the company’s history alongside its original members.
Although he left Fender for a time, he returned in the late 1980s and played an active role as an original builder at the Custom Shop.
He is said to have played a key role in the development of the Relic Series, which forms the core of Custom Shop products.
He created the Custom Shop’s first signature model guitar and, together with Michiya Haruhata, produced Fender’s first Japanese-made signature guitar. He continued to build guitars on the front lines until his passing in 2007 at the young age of 57, and his name is etched in Fender’s history as a great builder who earned immense global acclaim.
Inquiries: Electric Guitars – Nihei / Oda
