|
Post by jazzmastertele2020 on Feb 18, 2020 17:51:56 GMT -5
It’s a bear trying to find info on these, so I thought it’d be cool to capture whatever remaining “tribal knowledge” is out there.
For the Strats, this is what I remember: - 2000 American Series spec (first year of the American Standard updates) - 2 piece center joined body - Surf Green finish - Maple or rosewood fretboard - Matching headstock on rosewood fretboards only - White tolex G&G hardshell case - Back of pickguard signed by Chris Greene
Things I’m hazy on: - Wasn’t there some level of Custom Shop involvement? - Were the specs hammered out in a thread on Moes? - Date production started and date of delivery. - Wasn’t there a P or Jazz bass also in Surf Green? Matching head stocks for rosewood?
|
|
|
Post by Pinetree on Feb 19, 2020 3:24:38 GMT -5
They weren't Custom Shop, but a special run.
The two-piece bodies were allegedly from a stash from the Custom Shop.
68 Strats ( I have #2) and 12 Hot Rod P-Basses.
Fender had redesigned the guitar for 2000 (rolled edges on the fingerboard, for one), but I wanted to see some cool color from the 50's. Bear in mind that Fender was a lot more involved with the FDP back then... So I basically started a petition, then Chris set it into motion.
The neck plates were numbered, and Mr. Greene went to the factory in Corona while they were being built and took a ton of photos.
Most importantly, he signed the backs of the pickguards sitting at his kitchen table in his underwear.
EA6B maintained a list of who had what for some time.
That's about all I can remember.
Fingerboard wood and matching headstocks were an option.
The specs weren't really hammered out as much as they were presented. If I recall correctly, there was a bit of discussion on whether or not to include the URL on the neck plates (we didn't), and that was about it... we're going to do it, it's going to be this color, and do you want one or not?
A later Shell Pink Telecaster was proposed but never happened.
The FDP guitars and basses also came with the case candy and a COA from Fender.
I can't remember the name of the (now gone) music store that handled the shipping, but ensuring that everyone got what they ordered couldn't have been easy but they pulled it off.
|
|
|
Post by Seldom Seen on Feb 19, 2020 10:45:13 GMT -5
Between us, a good friend and I have all four versions. Painted head stocks were available for rosewood and maple boards. LE blonde Tolex cases were available at an extra cost; otherwise brown Tolex was provided. I have 25 and 26 which I purchased from FDPers who advertised on the forum. Both have the LE cases. No 26 came with a CD showing production photos and other information. I haven’t viewed the CD but I have confirmed that both guards were signed by Chris Greene and also Charles Schultz who was CEO of FMIC at that time. Cool stuff! I hope my memory serves me correctly.
|
|
|
Post by jazzmastertele2020 on Feb 19, 2020 11:04:11 GMT -5
Pinetree, now that you mention the dealer I think it was Guitar Trader? An early sponsor IIRC. Seldom Seen, if you’re ever bored and find the time, it’d be awesome to see those pics from the CD The choice of case is a cool detail that’s slipped my memory. Great stuff guys, keep it coming!
|
|
|
Post by Pinetree on Feb 19, 2020 13:28:41 GMT -5
Charles Schultz was the guy who drew Peanuts.
I think you meant Bill.
Yes, Guitar Trader it was.
|
|
|
Post by Seldom Seen on Feb 19, 2020 14:51:06 GMT -5
Charles Schultz was the guy who drew Peanuts. I think you meant Bill. Yes, Guitar Trader it was. There I go again. Keep a close eye on me.
|
|
|
Post by Seldom Seen on Feb 19, 2020 14:52:34 GMT -5
Pinetree, now that you mention the dealer I think it was Guitar Trader? An early sponsor IIRC. Seldom Seen, if you’re ever bored and find the time, it’d be awesome to see those pics from the CD The choice of case is a cool detail that’s slipped my memory. Great stuff guys, keep it coming! I’ll dig into the case pocket and see what I can dig up for you.
|
|
|
Post by Chris Greene on Feb 19, 2020 15:12:22 GMT -5
Where did the CD come from? I don't recall Fender providing that and I don't think I took photos when I went down to check on the build.
|
|
|
Post by Pinetree on Feb 19, 2020 16:24:25 GMT -5
I got the prints from some now defunct online photo printing place.
Pretty sure I didn't get a CD, but I'm sure that it wasn't actually from Fender.
I'm really not sure who took the photos.
|
|
|
Post by jazzmastertele2020 on Feb 19, 2020 17:37:08 GMT -5
For rosewood boards, didn’t Fender select darker pieces or am I misremembering?
|
|
|
Post by walshb 🦒 on Feb 19, 2020 20:01:05 GMT -5
EA6B maintained a list of who had what for some time. At one time, I copied that list and for some reason, kept it. This is surely outdated now, but if it's important to anyone, maybe it could be edited with a little participation. Or maybe not. Strats: 01 Chris Greene ID Rosewood Painted 02 Pinetree PA Rosewood Painted 03 Grapeshot 04 Telespazz CA Rosewood Painted 05 BlkLab RI Maple Non-Painted 06 Ebrick NJ Maple Painted 07 GregSt NY Maple Non-Painted 08 Jorez MI Rosewood Painted 09 Bohunk TX Left Handed 10 Matt Knight IN Maple Non-Painted Up for sale 11 Dom MI Maple Non-Painted 12 EA6B CA Rosewood Painted 13 Sysadm OH Rosewood Painted 14 Dripping Reverb OK Rosewood Painted 15 Drone WA Rosewood Painted 16 Mark Bjorke MD Maple Non-Painted 17 JHawkr KS Maple Non-Painted 18 Pstelman VA Maple Painted 19 NickelRocker NC Maple Painted 20 Tyrone Shuz MD Maple Non-Painted 21 BobtheNuke AZ Maple Painted 22 Earthchild GA Rosewood Painted 23 Ranger Talon NJ Maple Non-Painted 24 Hank Hill OH Rosewood Painted 25 The Doctor Maple Non-Painted 26 The Doctor Rosewood Painted 27 57Frank MD Maple Non-Painted 28 BobtheNuke AZ Rosewood Painted 29 Dreghead TN Rosewood Painted 30 Golfo MA Maple Non-Painted 31 Monk FL Rosewood Painted 32 JK NY Rosewood Non-Painted 33 Elliot TX Maple Non-Painted 34 Short_Circuit VA Maple Painted 35 CLF CA Rosewood Non-Painted 36 Rally FL Maple Non-Painted 37 Vodoo NSW Australia Rosewood Painted 38 Dingo NH Rosewood Painted 39 NickG FL Rosewood Painted May be incorrect 40 Repete Pete Denmark Maple Painted 41 Virgo65s CA Maple Non-Painted 42 Mark Jacobs CT Rosewood Painted 43 MikeyGuitar PA/Bill Walsh TN-sold to ? Rosewood Non-Painted 44 Ranger Talon NJ Maple Non-Painted 45 46 BlueTex TX Maple Non-Painted 47 Diving Duck CA Maple Painted 48 FenderAddict Ontario Canada Rosewood Painted 49 Retropaul Maple Painted 50 BeaujMont MI Maple Painted 51 Dennie H. OH Maple Non-Painted 52 MiKeg CA Maple Painted 53 Jake from Pa PA Rosewood Non-Painted 54 Bodhi Chux TX Rosewood Painted 55 Teletubbie Great Britain Maple Painted 56 57 58 Calif-Tele CA Maple Non-Painted 59 60 61 Tony M Rosewood Non-Painted 62 Mark B Rosewood Painted 63 64 Nanook Toronto Canada Maple Non-Painted 65 Armored Veh VA Rosewood Painted 66 HerbDeVille LA Maple Non-Painted 67 Stratelenut IN Maple Non-Painted 68 Chris Greene ID Maple Non-Painted
|
|
|
Post by Pinetree on Feb 19, 2020 20:09:05 GMT -5
Jimmysee was the original owner of #3, and Telespazz (later Spazz, RIP) also owned bass #4.
|
|
|
Post by Mfitz804 on Feb 19, 2020 21:21:27 GMT -5
I’m still super jealous of each of you.
|
|
|
Post by Chris Greene on Feb 19, 2020 21:35:14 GMT -5
$3800 would make you one of the lucky few, Fitzy...
|
|
|
Post by Mfitz804 on Feb 19, 2020 22:44:28 GMT -5
$3800 would make you one of the lucky few, Fitzy... I’m unfortunately not even half that lucky lol.
|
|
|
Post by Chris Greene on Feb 19, 2020 23:25:12 GMT -5
It’s only what, four billable hours?
|
|
|
Post by Seldom Seen on Feb 20, 2020 9:21:53 GMT -5
Where did the CD come from? I don't recall Fender providing that and I don't think I took photos when I went down to check on the build. I recall something about photos taken by the shop during production. It was not a part of the package. I am on vacation right now but when I return I’ll delve into it and give you an update. Chris, did anyone go with you to inspect the build? As I recall it was a cool thing with Fender as a LE run had never been attempted by a public group of vagabonds. For 25 & 26 “The Doctor” was my original moniker. Number 28 is Rosewood non-painted. BobtheNuke is my friend in Phoenix who has the opposite finishes from mine.
|
|
|
Post by Chris Greene on Feb 20, 2020 10:52:34 GMT -5
Where did the CD come from? I don't recall Fender providing that and I don't think I took photos when I went down to check on the build. I recall something about photos taken by the shop during production. It was not a part of the package. I am on vacation right now but when I return I’ll delve into it and give you an update. Chris, did anyone go with you to inspect the build? As I recall it was a cool thing with Fender as a LE run had never been attempted by a public group of vagabonds. For 25 & 26 “The Doctor” was my original moniker. Number 28 is Rosewood non-painted. BobtheNuke is my friend in Phoenix who has the opposite finishes from mine. I went alone. The people at Fender then were pretty cool about the whole thing and went out of their way to make sure these were done right. I do recall that one buyer was unhappy with his and very vocal about it. I think he sent the guitar back and someone else bought it with no complaint and at a discount. Guitar Trader was the shop that facilitated the purchase as Fender would only go through a dealer for this.
|
|
|
Post by Mfitz804 on Feb 20, 2020 11:37:51 GMT -5
It’s only what, four billable hours? Sure, if you’re the guy who actually gets that money.
|
|
|
Post by Blacksunshine on Feb 20, 2020 12:32:51 GMT -5
I bought #4 from Spazz before he passed.
I sold it a couple years ago to a local guy who at the time wasn’t a member.
Unless he shows up here that’s where the trail ends with #4.
|
|
|
Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Feb 20, 2020 16:19:58 GMT -5
Wow, walshb. Reading that list brings back some memories!
|
|
|
Post by Seldom Seen on Feb 23, 2020 11:11:57 GMT -5
UPDATE
I checked FDP LE #25 case candy this morning and there is indeed a CD with 61 production photos, several of them with Bill Schultz inspecting the production. They run from initial priming and painting through to final assembly. There is one photo of the backplate to Chris' FDP LE #1. There are also some photos of FDP LE Bass #3. Just a bunch of photos that document the production, including pickguards signed by Chris although, thankfully, none of him in underwear.
For some reason, there is one photo, #62, showing the innards of Tonemaster Amp chassis. Does that ring a bell with anyone?
Thinking about this a bit more, I remember the seller telling me an FDPer had gotten permission to visit the factory to photograph production. I believe these guitars were manufactured in the Corona facility.
|
|
|
Post by Seldom Seen on Feb 23, 2020 19:49:08 GMT -5
Charles Schultz was the guy who drew Peanuts. I think you meant Bill. Yes, Guitar Trader it was. While searching for photos of him I discovered that his middle name was Charles so, due to pure luck, I was correct.
|
|
|
Post by stratcowboy on Feb 23, 2020 20:12:09 GMT -5
Charles Schultz was the guy who drew Peanuts. I think you meant Bill. Yes, Guitar Trader it was. While searching for photos of him I discovered that his middle name was Charles so, due to pure luck, I was correct. Almost...but not quite. The "Bill" guy from Fender spelled it "Schultz." The "Charles" guy from Peanuts spelled it "Schulz." Close only counts in horseshoes and hand gr*n*des.
|
|
|
Post by Seldom Seen on Feb 24, 2020 11:21:05 GMT -5
While searching for photos of him I discovered that his middle name was Charles so, due to pure luck, I was correct. Almost...but not quite. The "Bill" guy from Fender spelled it "Schultz." The "Charles" guy from Peanuts spelled it "Schulz." Close only counts in horseshoes and hand gr*n*des. Well... since I got his middle and last names correct, including the spelling, I'm declaring a direct hit with a precision-guided post. From memory; I believe the photos of Bill Schultz were taken when he showed up at the factory to sign the back of the guards after Chris had signed them.
|
|
|
Post by TonyM on Mar 23, 2020 9:11:47 GMT -5
I can confirm I still own #61. Also that “Hank Hill” still owns #24.
|
|
|
Post by Seldom Seen on Apr 1, 2020 15:23:58 GMT -5
After carefully checking the case pockets and under the trem covers for 25 and 26 and finding no Giraffes, I think I was shorted.
|
|
|
Post by insanecooker on Apr 4, 2020 7:51:30 GMT -5
They weren't Custom Shop, but a special run. A later Shell Pink Telecaster was proposed but never happened. That was a major miss... I was very keen on getting that. As for the FDPLE Strat, I bought #30 from the original owner and then sold it back to him a few years down the road. Only UPS made money on that transaction!
|
|
Ayns
Wholenote
Posts: 767
|
Post by Ayns on Apr 4, 2020 8:03:29 GMT -5
They weren't Custom Shop, but a special run. A later Shell Pink Telecaster was proposed but never happened. That was a major miss... I was very keen on getting that. As for the FDPLE Strat, I bought #30 from the original owner and then sold it back to him a few years down the road. Only UPS made money on that transaction! I remember the Shell Pink Telecaster thread. I woulda bought one if it had gone ahead.
|
|
|
Post by Pinetree on Apr 4, 2020 16:48:11 GMT -5
I'm reasonably certain that never would have happened.
You know the old saying about how a Camel is just a Horse that was designed by a committee?
|
|