Mike DeTemple’s work speaks for itself, but we’ll try and offer our two cents. The Spirit Series ’56 is Mike’s take on the classic strat shape—with a few choice additions which make them another beast. For starters, Mike uses titanium components, from the neck plate to the tremolo, and here upgraded this piece from 2011 with a Fossilized Mastodon Ivory nut (and pickup switch tip), open back Gotoh 510 tuners, and a Red Maple neck. And the cherry on top: Mike’s bespoke, handwound Sweet Spot S2 pickups. Mike works his magic such that the signal is even and clear across all five positions, so you don’t have to worry about compensating on the fly. They play like grass-fed butter: top shelf fat n juicy.
This beauty has been cared for by a single owner since 2011, and is looking for its new home! Comes wrapped up in a G&G case.

Other keywords: de temple, stratocaster, josh smith, red rhodes, alnico 2, electric guitar, shade top

Now here’s a gorgeous powerhouse that plays like grass-fed butter: a Paul Waller Masterbuilt 50s Telecaster with NOS treatment. Waller, a veteran master builder at Fender’s Custom Shop since 2003, pulled this one off in 2012, and it’s been well-cared for ever since. ’57 soft V Maple neck done in high gloss to match the Ash body in two-color burst, plus a sweet Reverse Bridge pickup, Twisted Tele Neck pickup combo. Four-way switch plus volume and tone, and a ’52 Tele custom pickguard in white. This beauty weighs in a little over seven pounds, which feels natural and easy in hand and on the leg. We have both the G&G rectangular case and a fitted tweed case.

Other keywords: fender custom, electric, R60089, chicken picking, new old stock, custom build, masterbuild, coa, 50s

Heavy relic in Coral Pink! Check out this gorgeous Fender Custom Shop ’62 Strat from Jason Smith if you’re looking for the real relic’d deal. Fender’s Smith built this beauty in 2009 with a custom heavy relic job in mind—and it sports the kind of play wear, exposed Alder, and glossy setup, that we’d expect from a dyed-in-the-wool road warrior. Coral Pink sets off the Maple neck and pickguard perfectly. The pickups are Custom Shop 60 Strat Relics with coffee white relic’d volume and tone knobs.

Here’s a note from Fender about custom shop builder Jason Smith: “Rock music and Fender are part of his DNA. Smith joined the Fender Custom Shop in 1995, and in 2006 completed a five-year apprenticeship under acclaimed Senior Master Builder John English. Among many diverse projects with English, Smith worked on a pair of double-neck Stratocaster guitars for Stone Temple Pilots guitarist Dean DeLeo. He has since crafted fine instruments for players and acts including John 5, Michael Landau, Flea, Josh Klinghoffer, Geddy Lee, Steve Harris, Reggie Hamilton, Linkin Park, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Neon Trees and many others.”

Other keywords: electric guitar, reliced, stratacaster, kluson, duane simpson, #R45880

The Jeff Beck Signature electric guitar is made in the USA by Fender and features a maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard and a contoured heel for easier access to the higher registers. Further, it’s wired with dual ceramic Noiseless pickups and has a 2-point synchronized tremolo with stainless steel saddles, LSR roller nut, aged knobs and pickup covers, and Beck’s signature on the headstock. This one is complete with the case candy, including the vintage tweed case, strap, cable, truss rod adjustment wrench, and saddle height adjustment wrench.