Ordered a custom shop bass in March of 2021. Timing estimate was 5 - 8 months. It has been 17 months. Every inquiry through my dealer is met with “the portal says it’s another month out.” I called the CS customer support line and they just routed me back to my dealer, who then makes an inquiry and the ship date moves out another month. I have been doing this dance since December. Last status I was given was late July, early August — no word yet. I don’t expect anyone on this thread can make my bass arrive sooner, but rather looking for any advice on whether there is a way to just find out what’s happening. I have waited this long, I am not going anywhere, but hopeful I can get a realistic estimate somehow. Months ago my dealer received CS guitars ordered around the same time as my bass. Anyone have any tips / tricks? Anyone know someone at the CS?
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Fender Custom Shop | Advice
- Thread starter John Emmert
- Start date
Does Squier provide custom shop series ?
In relation to the price you pay for individual CS instruments, their behaviour is inacceptable.
Honestly, if I ordered anything where they told me 5 to 8 months, I'd have cancelled the order in a year or less. Any shop that doesn't come close to meeting its estimates is not a well run shop, and I wouldn't want anything from them.
The fact that they're not telling you what is going on - you have to inquire, and you get the same (obviously not true) story repeatedly is unforgivable. I work on basses for some of the other players in my local scene, and if someone's bass is going to be in my shop for more than a day or two, I'll send them daily updates (with pictures) so they can see progress, and understand what's going on. It's not just good business, it's treating customers like fellow humans.
A Custom shop is not a magic place, and it's not a "better" shop - it exists to do things that are..different than what's on the production line - different paint colors, maybe different woods, relicing, that sort of thing. If what you want is somethng different, I understand that - all my instruments are one offs (that I made) - having a bass made that's exactly what you want is a powerful thing, but the fact that Fender's Custom shop instrument may cost 2 or 3 times what a production one does doesn't make it 2 or 3 times better in general - its only worth it if that REALLY is EXACTLY what YOU want. To someone else, it won't be worth that - it's not their ideal bass. Anyway, the point is to ask yourself if the promise of what you're asking for is worth being jacked around (yhes you are being jacked around). If so, maybe you hang in there (I wouldn't, but I can make exactly what I want (in far less time)). If not, cancel.
The fact that they're not telling you what is going on - you have to inquire, and you get the same (obviously not true) story repeatedly is unforgivable. I work on basses for some of the other players in my local scene, and if someone's bass is going to be in my shop for more than a day or two, I'll send them daily updates (with pictures) so they can see progress, and understand what's going on. It's not just good business, it's treating customers like fellow humans.
A Custom shop is not a magic place, and it's not a "better" shop - it exists to do things that are..different than what's on the production line - different paint colors, maybe different woods, relicing, that sort of thing. If what you want is somethng different, I understand that - all my instruments are one offs (that I made) - having a bass made that's exactly what you want is a powerful thing, but the fact that Fender's Custom shop instrument may cost 2 or 3 times what a production one does doesn't make it 2 or 3 times better in general - its only worth it if that REALLY is EXACTLY what YOU want. To someone else, it won't be worth that - it's not their ideal bass. Anyway, the point is to ask yourself if the promise of what you're asking for is worth being jacked around (yhes you are being jacked around). If so, maybe you hang in there (I wouldn't, but I can make exactly what I want (in far less time)). If not, cancel.
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I waited 19 months for a custom Dingwall. While painful, it ended up totally being worth it. The bass turned out perfect.
I'm guessing that you spec'd out everything to the smallest detail on your custom order. Be patient. It will arrive in due time and you will be super stoked when it does.
Bones
I'm guessing that you spec'd out everything to the smallest detail on your custom order. Be patient. It will arrive in due time and you will be super stoked when it does.
Bones
Sorry to hear this. That is very frustrating and when it comes to FCS I think all you can do is wait or cancel the order.
Some dealers seem to have much better communication then others with the custom shop as well as with customers.
Around that time I was told the custom shop was 1-2 years wait. I have heard others say the same. Not sure if the 5-8 months came from your dealer or the FCS.
Some dealers seem to have much better communication then others with the custom shop as well as with customers.
Around that time I was told the custom shop was 1-2 years wait. I have heard others say the same. Not sure if the 5-8 months came from your dealer or the FCS.
Nothing you can do about getting it faster… unless of course you’re Glenn Hughes 
You obviously wanted a Fender CS, and waited this long, may as well stick it out. Personally I wouldn’t have waited much beyond the original estimate completion date, but you’re not me LOL!
Are you the type who looks back and wonders, “what if…”? If so, just wait it out.
Are you the type who cares more about specific features, and less about the maker? If so, it’s time to look elsewhere.
So many companies— large and small— have employees without any stake in the company… then there’s the general apathy/ lack of work ethic that’s become the norm; Fender’s not immune to this. Not to mention the distance between management & the customer.
All the best!
You obviously wanted a Fender CS, and waited this long, may as well stick it out. Personally I wouldn’t have waited much beyond the original estimate completion date, but you’re not me LOL!
Are you the type who looks back and wonders, “what if…”? If so, just wait it out.
Are you the type who cares more about specific features, and less about the maker? If so, it’s time to look elsewhere.
So many companies— large and small— have employees without any stake in the company… then there’s the general apathy/ lack of work ethic that’s become the norm; Fender’s not immune to this. Not to mention the distance between management & the customer.
All the best!
Welcome to Talkbass, John.
If anyone had given me an initial estimate of 5-8 months, and it turns out it was 2-3 times that, I'd really have problems sticking with it... so, kudos to you, that you're able.
Have you tried contacting Liam Neeson? I heard he has a special set of skills...
If anyone had given me an initial estimate of 5-8 months, and it turns out it was 2-3 times that, I'd really have problems sticking with it... so, kudos to you, that you're able.
Have you tried contacting Liam Neeson? I heard he has a special set of skills...
Is there any way of determining whether the dealer just said ‘5-8 months’ when they knew it would be longer? Did you see that number in some portal at the CS site with your order attached to it?
Sorry, I get that times are strange but 17 months is totally unacceptable from Fender. If their turnaround is 17 months they have to tell every dealer to make that clear to buyers. But the others are right - what are you going to do about it now? If you really want it, wait for it.
Is cancelling the order even an option?
Sorry, I get that times are strange but 17 months is totally unacceptable from Fender. If their turnaround is 17 months they have to tell every dealer to make that clear to buyers. But the others are right - what are you going to do about it now? If you really want it, wait for it.
Is cancelling the order even an option?
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The fact that the CS routed you back to the dealer is just low-level/terrible customer service. I’d escalate within the CS itself, telling them you’re getting the runaround — and at 2-3x the estimated wait, they OWE you a straight answer. Escalate your case.
Businesses are still suffering through supply chain and labor issues. I’m sure the Custom Shop is not immune. With that being said, I custom ordered from a well-known builder who took about 14 months to build on an initial 6-8 month lead. It ended up being the best bass I had ever owned and well worth the wait. Yes - it’s difficult to wait especially after a deadline is blown without communication. However I’d rather have a bass run late and be perfect than be on time and hastily thrown together. Fender’s Custom Shop makes a nice product. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.
Something that just came to mind. I looked at a custom order with the Custom Shop about a year ago and it was an 18-24 month wait. Your dealer may have given you a bad timeline from the start.
Something that just came to mind. I looked at a custom order with the Custom Shop about a year ago and it was an 18-24 month wait. Your dealer may have given you a bad timeline from the start.
I would personally cancel the order but then again I waited for a moollon 8 or so months after they said it would be ready. If you don’t NEED the money or the bass and have other options then wait it out. I’d personally set a crazy goal at this point. At the 3 year mark that’s when I’d cancel it.
Every time you call they add a month? Stop calling.
Too bad they can't uncall.
Better buying whatever CS is already at the dealers’ shops IMO .. of course you need to find one that you really like (in my case a non-reliced shoreline gold 1961 JB with matching headstock 
which is nowhere to be found these days as all people seem to be crazy about relived stuff) …
which is nowhere to be found these days as all people seem to be crazy about relived stuff) …I'd be surprised a top level bass had a wait time of less than 1 yr.
Even if the build time is around 10 weeks, they'll have orders in front so combined, that gives the delivery time.
So, I agree, where did 5 to 8 months come from and if it was a guess by the dealer, then he gets the blame.
Even if the build time is around 10 weeks, they'll have orders in front so combined, that gives the delivery time.
So, I agree, where did 5 to 8 months come from and if it was a guess by the dealer, then he gets the blame.
You could've hunted down and been holding to a vintage Fender bass by now. ... Personally, I've yet to play a CS I'd pay that much to own. ... Try going back to the dealer and ask for your money back, I guess you've left a deposit? Maybe he can get them moving on that because a year and a half seems an excessive amount of time.
