Kenny Wayne Shepherd blues masterclass - nice Strat!

What's Hot
RandallFlaggRandallFlagg Frets: 13929
edited March 2019 in Guitar
Not really listened to KWS before, this video caught my eye for a couple of reasons. The tasty blues licks and more so that Strat, I think it's a Fender Custom Shop Lush Closet Classic Postmodern Strat in Firemist Gold. It looks and sounds great, not shrill but nice and warm.

Coda have a couple in stock, well maybe only 1 now 




0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom

Comments

  • mattacjonesmattacjones Frets: 503
    He could make my Dyson sound great
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • Philly_QPhilly_Q Frets: 22516
    @RandallFlagg ; Tell us more about this Strat....

    I like the Postmodern Strats (and Teles).  It can't be seen in the video, but the modified neckplate is great and I see the new ones have 22 frets (although the trussrod still adjusts at the body end).
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • guitars4youguitars4you Frets: 14034
    tFB Trader
    I've sold a couple in the past and like them - They retain the vintage ethos with only a couple of modern tweaks, like the contoured heel - Sometimes Fender go to 'modern' with such attempts, at least IMO - But this is essentially a vintage spec'd guitar still - They have changed the spec a couple of times over the last 2/3 years - But sales were poor/mediocre
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • Philly_QPhilly_Q Frets: 22516
    Are they only making them with the '63 C neck this year?  Last time they did them there was a choice between several different profiles.
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • carloscarlos Frets: 3426
    edited March 2019
    Fender Custom Shop Lush Closet Classic Postmodern Strat in Firemist Gold
    Is this the actual name of the product?

    Not trying to make a joke, I'm genuinely curious.
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 1reaction image Wisdom
  • Philly_QPhilly_Q Frets: 22516
    It is.  I must say I've always had a strong aversion to the word "lush"...

    https://www.coda-music.com/fender-custom-shop-postmodern-strat-lush-closet-classic-fire-mist-gold.html
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • 57Deluxe57Deluxe Frets: 7329
    You can catch KWS on one of Bonamassa's up and coming porno cruises...
    <Vintage BOSS Upgrades>
    __________________________________
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • 57Deluxe said:
    You can catch KWS on one of Bonamassa's up and coming porno cruises...


    I think that's already happened/in process of happening. A few videos popped up on my YouTube "Suggested Videos" feed yesterday, with JB, KWS, Walter Trout and Samantha Fish trading solos on Going Down and other tracks.

    I respect them all hugely as guitarists, but being trapped on a boat with several hundred tanked-up sycophantic blues guitar obsessives drooling over endless noodle-fests is my idea of hell.

    3reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 2reaction image Wisdom
  • guitars4youguitars4you Frets: 14034
    tFB Trader
    Philly_Q said:
    Are they only making them with the '63 C neck this year?  Last time they did them there was a choice between several different profiles.
    They have changed the spec each year - sometimes 21 fret, sometimes 22 - Hand Wound Ancho Poblano's pick-ups one year, hand wound Fat 60's another - sometimes 9.5-12" compound radius and a choice of colours - Can't recall each neck profile for each year, be it 2015/16/17/18

    Think first series in 2015 was NOS finish only
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • carloscarlos Frets: 3426
    Philly_Q said:
    It is.  I must say I've always had a strong aversion to the word "lush"...

    https://www.coda-music.com/fender-custom-shop-postmodern-strat-lush-closet-classic-fire-mist-gold.html
    Interesting. When I read Postmodern I was expecting something that critiqued the original strat design and provided self-referential commentary on what a musical instrument means.
    5reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • 57Deluxe said:
    You can catch KWS on one of Bonamassa's up and coming porno cruises...


    I think that's already happened/in process of happening. A few videos popped up on my YouTube "Suggested Videos" feed yesterday, with JB, KWS, Walter Trout and Samantha Fish trading solos on Going Down and other tracks.

    I respect them all hugely as guitarists, but being trapped on a boat with several hundred tanked-up sycophantic blues guitar obsessives drooling over endless noodle-fests is my idea of hell.

    Walter Trout and Samantha Fish?

    So...

    Many...

    Puns...

    Between them, they know *all* the scales
    Too much gain... is just about enough \m/

    I'm probably the only member of this forum mentioned by name in Whiskey in the Jar ;)

    4reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • I've sold a couple in the past and like them - They retain the vintage ethos with only a couple of modern tweaks, like the contoured heel - Sometimes Fender go to 'modern' with such attempts, at least IMO - But this is essentially a vintage spec'd guitar still - They have changed the spec a couple of times over the last 2/3 years - But sales were poor/mediocre
    I guess that just speaks to the difficulty in pitching something just right...one man's too modern is another's too vintage.

    The same kinda applies down the line - e.g. I absolutely loved the last American Vintage line for being an attempt at trying to get as vintage as possible and then you still had poor sales and people complaining about stuff like fret marker dot spacing! Now we're on American Original as a kinda greatest hits/bits where the guitars look like vintage but have a bit more modern feel. *shrug*
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • RandallFlaggRandallFlagg Frets: 13929
    edited March 2019
    carlos said:
    Fender Custom Shop Lush Closet Classic Postmodern Strat in Firemist Gold
    Is this the actual name of the product?

    Not trying to make a joke, I'm genuinely curious.


    Yes, Postmodern refers to the equipment spec, 22 frets, contoured heel, dual mag pickups, RSD bridge, 6105 frets, neck radius & carve etc.

    Lush Closet Classic is the finish, it sits between Closet Classic & Journeyman Relic in the Fender Custom Shop Time Machine relicing chart:

    http://www.fendercustomshop.com/series/time-machine/

    "Owned with pride. Well taken care of and religiously polished throughout the years. The owner of this guitar took pride in keeping it clean and shiny. Over time the finish started showing age and like a fine wine it evolved into something complex and refined. Moderate finish checking, oxidation of hardware, and mild discoloration of parts give this finish its distinct look and feel."


    Firemist Gold is the colour

    Full specs of the guitar in the video (as far as I can tell):

    Body Material:  2-Piece Select Alder
    Body Finish:  Nitrocellulose Lacquer
    Neck Material:  AA Flamed Quartersawn Maple
    Neck Shape:  1963 C  (1st Fret: .820" - 12th Fret: .980")
    Scale Length:  25.5"
    Radius:  9.5" - 12" Compound Radius
    Frets:  22
    Fret Size:  6105 Narrow Jumbo
    String Nut:  Bone
    Nut Width:  1.650"
    Neck Plate:  4-Bolt Vintage-Style
    Neck Finish:  Nitrocellulose Lacquer
    Fingerboard:  1-Piece AAA Rosewood
    Inlays:  Micarta White
    Bridge Pickup:  Custom Shop Hand-Wound Dual-Mag
    Middle Pickup:  Custom Shop Hand-Wound Dual-Mag RWRP
    Neck Pickup:  Custom Shop Hand-Wound Dual-Mag
    Controls:  Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck/Middle Pickups), Tone 2. (Bridge Pickup)
    Bridge:  RSD Stratocaster
    Tuners:  Vintage-Style with Fender Logo
    Pickguard:  3-Ply Eggshell
    Control Knobs:  Vintage White Closet Classic
    Strings:  Fender® USA, NPS, (.010-.046 Gauges)
    Accessories:  Deluxe Hardshell Case; Strap; Certificate of Authenticity


    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • guitars4youguitars4you Frets: 14034
    tFB Trader
    guitars4you said:  They retain the vintage ethos with only a couple of modern tweaks, like the contoured heel - Sometimes Fender go to 'modern' with such attempts, at least IMO - But this is essentially a vintage spec'd guitar still - 
    I guess that just speaks to the difficulty in pitching something just right...one man's too modern is another's too vintage.


    I sometimes have a discussion with myself on this - If today was the launch day of a brand new guitar, to be called the Stratocaster, then IMO it would be far closer to a PM Strat than a 54 Strat

    Remember Leo was a designer/tinkler and for various reasons, look how many tweaks he made between 54 and 65 to the Strat - So with changes in playing styles and how the guitar has evolved in popular music since 1954, then it stands to reason that Leo would have listened to players needs/demands and moved accordingly - I know we'll never actually know
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 1reaction image Wisdom
  • Philly_QPhilly_Q Frets: 22516
    Philly_Q said:
    Are they only making them with the '63 C neck this year?  Last time they did them there was a choice between several different profiles.
    They have changed the spec each year - sometimes 21 fret, sometimes 22 - Hand Wound Ancho Poblano's pick-ups one year, hand wound Fat 60's another - sometimes 9.5-12" compound radius and a choice of colours - Can't recall each neck profile for each year, be it 2015/16/17/18

    Think first series in 2015 was NOS finish only

    A couple of years ago the Stratosphere bought a load of them and sold them as parts.

    Whichever year that was - 2016 or 2017 I think - they all had ash bodies, I think the finish was Journeyman relic and there were quite a few different neck shapes - '51 U, '57 V, '65 C (or maybe Large C) and '60s Oval C.  All 9.5" to 12" compound radius.

    They sold all the necks but they still have a few of the bodies.

    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • bassborabassbora Frets: 132
    I remember reading about him in some guitar magazine in mid 90s (95 or 96) and he was just around 16 or 17 and was this new up and coming blues guitarist.  The record company or his management took him out and bought him this old expensive strat.  This is pre-internet time so I never looked him up but I often wondered what happened to that kid.  He sounds amazing and the way he explains his ideas are so simple and refreshing. 
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • guitars4youguitars4you Frets: 14034
    tFB Trader
    Philly_Q said:
    Philly_Q said:
    Are they only making them with the '63 C neck this year?  Last time they did them there was a choice between several different profiles.
    They have changed the spec each year - sometimes 21 fret, sometimes 22 - Hand Wound Ancho Poblano's pick-ups one year, hand wound Fat 60's another - sometimes 9.5-12" compound radius and a choice of colours - Can't recall each neck profile for each year, be it 2015/16/17/18

    Think first series in 2015 was NOS finish only

    A couple of years ago the Stratosphere bought a load of them and sold them as parts.

    Whichever year that was - 2016 or 2017 I think - they all had ash bodies, I think the finish was Journeyman relic and there were quite a few different neck shapes - '51 U, '57 V, '65 C (or maybe Large C) and '60s Oval C.  All 9.5" to 12" compound radius.

    They sold all the necks but they still have a few of the bodies.

    Interesting how much business Statosphere do with this 'parts' approach 

    Yes I recall a few in stock with ash bodies and a Journeyman Relic finish  - Can't recall which neck shape at the time applicable to which year - Plus I custom spec'd some for stock based on say a 2016/2017 model and tweaked a few options in order to be custom spec'd - Mainly colour, neck profile and p/up options - Most of mine were based on a 60's Oval C and 65/Large C and 9.5" to 12" 
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • Fishboy7Fishboy7 Frets: 2178
    I have the neck from one of these on my mongrel Strat.  It's very nice. Compound radius, rolled edges and very flamey.
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • riverciderrivercider Frets: 461
    edited March 2019
    57Deluxe said:
    You can catch KWS on one of Bonamassa's up and coming porno cruises...


    I think that's already happened/in process of happening. A few videos popped up on my YouTube "Suggested Videos" feed yesterday, with JB, KWS, Walter Trout and Samantha Fish trading solos on Going Down and other tracks.

    I respect them all hugely as guitarists, but being trapped on a boat with several hundred tanked-up sycophantic blues guitar obsessives drooling over endless noodle-fests is my idea of hell.

    KWS actually comes out of that really well, I thought.  Walter has pretty thin tone on much of what i saw (the jam with KWS, JB & WT) but he plays like a man possessed, overplays in fact. I have new respect for Kenny, some tasty playing in the circumstances. Blues on a cruise ship seems somewhat incongruous.

    KWS also does a good job of Stevie's Soul to Soul if you hunt YouTube for it, again on this cruise thingy.
    Respect for Sam Fish too, she was doing her own thing with the SG, fair play to her in that company. 

    I always fancied one of those cheaper signature model KWS strats but they don't come up very often now.  Never played one but the spec looks interesting.   
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • lovestrat74lovestrat74 Frets: 2489
    KWSBGM indeed :D
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 1reaction image Wisdom
Sign In or Register to comment.