Custom Shop Advice - Deluxe or 60's NOS

sunshinewelly · October 2014

sunshinewelly · October 2014

I am looking at getting a CA strat and there are a few out there

2009 CS deluxe in candy tangerine - £1495 as new or £1150 second hand - couple of tiny marks (sunburst)

2012 CS deluxe new - £1599

60,s NOS - £1575 new

61 NOS - second hand but mint - £1250

which of these is the better deal and better guitar

John Cruz pups on the 61

standard 60s on the 60

Abby handwound on the 2012

69's on the 2009.

all have a similar radius

crunchman · October 2014

I'd go for the vintage spec personally.

Richardj · October 2014

The most important thing is how the feel and sound to you personally. It is all that matters.

meltedbuzzbox · October 2014

Richardj said:

The most important thing is how the feel and sound to you personally. It is all that matters.

my thoughts too

musteatbrain · October 2014

There's not much in it. In terms of quality both are in the earlier tiers of what the customshop offer. I have a pro which is very good. When I tried out the others in the shop the NOS and Deluxe were on a par in terms of quality.

sunshinewelly · October 2014

musteatbrain said:

There's not much in it. In terms of quality both are in the earlier tiers of what the customshop offer. I have a pro which is very good. When I tried out the others in the shop the NOS and Deluxe were on a par in terms of quality.

what are these tiers - i thought custom shop was custom shop (apart from master built of course)

musteatbrain · October 2014

They are unofficial, but the price list gives an indication. http://issuu.com/fender/docs/2014-custom-shop-pricelist-us-bw?e=1895196/8478046 It doesn't include the dealership spec guitars which sit slightly above the deluxe and pro range, but usually below the higher end heavy relics and limited editions. So very loosely you have, nos, deluxe and pro, then dealership specs and lighter relics, then limited edition and heavy relics, then masterbuilt. They are all good though and I would recommend a day out somewhere with a large stock and play them all. You are quite likely to end up with a cracking guitar that way.

fretfinder · October 2014

I believe the NOS guitars are more expensive new than the Deluxes. Personally I'd go for the used NOS as I'm a traditionalist, I don't use the trem, it will hold its value better, and I think flame top Strats are somehow just 'wrong'. I wouldn't be hoodwinked by the Abby pickups either, I don't believe they're any better than 'normal' CS pickups - outrageous statement I know, but I've done a side-by-side test with my CS guitars and my ears prefer the ordinary pickups and find the Abby's a wee bit harsher.