"CHICAGO SPECIAL" FENDER CUSTOM SHOP GUITARS
It is no secret that the Fender Custom Shop has been creating some of the best instruments since 1987. In keeping with the true spirit of Leo’s original vision of the company, each instrument is built with the highest level of care and excellence. Here at Chicago Music Exchange, we have collaborated with the best minds at Fender to build the best instruments from top to bottom, tirelessly going over each spec to ensure that we offer you the best of what Fender has to offer.
Featuring measurements and components we hand-selected from across history, our “CME Spec” and "Chicago Special" Fender Custom Shop guitars highlight important years in the development of core models like the Stratocaster, Telecaster and Jazzmaster. We capture the energy and essence of their respective eras with iconic fingerboard radii and period-correct plastics, matched headstocks and slab fingerboards, classic finishes and not-so-classic colorways. But that’s just the beginning of what makes our Fender Custom Shop guitars so special.
We take customization a step further with rift sawn necks for added resonance and expanded control sets for tonal versatility, and every "Chicago Special" Fender Custom Shop guitar features our own custom Chicago Special pickups, designed in conjunction with Fender Custom Shop Vice President of Product Development Mike Lewis.
![Product image](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-f7988ee1--ShopChicagoSpecialJazzmasters.jpg?v=1587157540 1200w, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-f7988ee1--ShopChicagoSpecialJazzmasters_800x800.jpg?v=1587157540&resized 800w, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-f7988ee1--ShopChicagoSpecialJazzmasters_400x400.jpg?v=1587157540&resized 400w)
![Product image](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-5cf7988e--ShopShopChicagoSpecialTelecasters.jpg?v=1587157536 1200w, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-5cf7988e--ShopShopChicagoSpecialTelecasters_800x800.jpg?v=1587157536&resized 800w, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-5cf7988e--ShopShopChicagoSpecialTelecasters_400x400.jpg?v=1587157536&resized 400w)
![Product image](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-8f5cf798--ShopChicagoSpecialStratocasters.jpg?v=1587157531 1200w, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-8f5cf798--ShopChicagoSpecialStratocasters_800x800.jpg?v=1587157531&resized 800w, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-8f5cf798--ShopChicagoSpecialStratocasters_400x400.jpg?v=1587157531&resized 400w)
"CHICAGO SPECIAL" JAZZMASTERS
NECK
Neck Blank: Maple Rift Sawn
Fingerboard: Maple/Rosewood
Neck Shape: '59 Tapered "C" Neck Shape
Fingerboard Radius: 7.25" Radius
Nut Width: 1.650"
PICKUPS
"Chicago Special" Jazzmaster
Custom set modeled after 1961 Jazzmaster AlNiCo5 magnets
Potted in Shellac
BODY
Body Wood: Alder/Ash
Body Finish: Nitro Lacquer
HARDWARE
Hardware plating: Chrome/Nickel
Bridge Assembly: Adjustable Jag/Jazz
Tuning Keys: Schaller F Key
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-4ce0fe64--BlackChicagoSpecialJazzmaster.jpg?v=1587159496 1200w, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-4ce0fe64--BlackChicagoSpecialJazzmaster_800x800.jpg?v=1587159496&resized 800w, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-4ce0fe64--BlackChicagoSpecialJazzmaster_400x400.jpg?v=1587159496&resized 400w)
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-e0fe6461--091019-Fender-9231010739R996209237100275R996889231010768R979459231010763R100269.jpg?v=1587159794 1200w, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-e0fe6461--091019-Fender-9231010739R996209237100275R996889231010768R979459231010763R100269_800x800.jpg?v=1587159794&resized 800w, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-e0fe6461--091019-Fender-9231010739R996209237100275R996889231010768R979459231010763R100269_400x400.jpg?v=1587159794&resized 400w)
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-fe646157--022720-9237100423R101922-Fender-Custom-Shop-1962-Jazzmaster-Chicago-Special-Journeyman-Relic-FadedAged-Sweet-Pea-Green1.jpg?v=1587159800 1200w, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-fe646157--022720-9237100423R101922-Fender-Custom-Shop-1962-Jazzmaster-Chicago-Special-Journeyman-Relic-FadedAged-Sweet-Pea-Green1_800x800.jpg?v=1587159800&resized 800w, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-fe646157--022720-9237100423R101922-Fender-Custom-Shop-1962-Jazzmaster-Chicago-Special-Journeyman-Relic-FadedAged-Sweet-Pea-Green1_400x400.jpg?v=1587159800&resized 400w)
![Product image](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-53024d11--ChiSpecPickupCLoseup.jpg?v=1587160115 1200w, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-53024d11--ChiSpecPickupCLoseup_800x640.jpg?v=1587160115&resized 800w, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-53024d11--ChiSpecPickupCLoseup_400x320.jpg?v=1587160115&resized 400w)
"CHICAGO SPECIAL" PICKUPS
Designed in conjunction with Fender Custom Shop's VP of Product Development Mike Lewis and pickup legend George Blanda to accurately recreate the sound of our favorite 1961 Fender pickups
ENDLESS FINISH OPTIONS
We're always creating new "Chicago Special" models with the Fender Custom Shop. Looking for your dream finish? Call us at (773) 525-7773 and we'll set you up with a custom order for your 1 of 1 Fender "Chicago Special" dream guitar.
![Product image](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-7b485302--121719-Fender-Chicago-Special-Groups-by-Year-1961-Telecaster.jpg?v=1587159967 1200w, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-7b485302--121719-Fender-Chicago-Special-Groups-by-Year-1961-Telecaster_800x640.jpg?v=1587159967&resized 800w, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-7b485302--121719-Fender-Chicago-Special-Groups-by-Year-1961-Telecaster_400x320.jpg?v=1587159967&resized 400w)
"CHICAGO SPECIAL" STRATOCASTERS
NECK
Neck Blank: Maple Rift Sawn
Fingerboard: Maple/Rosewood
Neck Shape: '59 Strat C
Fingerboard Radius: 9.50" Radius
Nut Width: 1.650"
PICKUPS
Hand-Wound "Chicago Special" Stratocaster
Calibrated bridge to neck for balanced output
Potted in Shellac
BODY
Body Wood: Alder/Ash
Body Finish: Nitro Lacquer
HARDWARE
Hardware plating: Chrome/Nickel
Bridge Assembly: American Vintage Strat Bridge CC
Tuning Keys: Vintage w/ Fender Logo CC
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-4457fc9f--111218-Fender-CS-1955-Stratocaster-CME-Spec-Faded-Tahitian-Coral-Journeyman-Relic-wChicago-Specials-9231010524R94682.jpg?v=1587160814 1200w, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-4457fc9f--111218-Fender-CS-1955-Stratocaster-CME-Spec-Faded-Tahitian-Coral-Journeyman-Relic-wChicago-Specials-9231010524R94682_800x800.jpg?v=1587160814&resized 800w, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-4457fc9f--111218-Fender-CS-1955-Stratocaster-CME-Spec-Faded-Tahitian-Coral-Journeyman-Relic-wChicago-Specials-9231010524R94682_400x400.jpg?v=1587160814&resized 400w)
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-57fc9fcc--121719-Fender-Chicago-Special-Groups-by-Year-1960-Stratocaster.jpg?v=1587160821 1200w, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-57fc9fcc--121719-Fender-Chicago-Special-Groups-by-Year-1960-Stratocaster_800x800.jpg?v=1587160821&resized 800w, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-57fc9fcc--121719-Fender-Chicago-Special-Groups-by-Year-1960-Stratocaster_400x400.jpg?v=1587160821&resized 400w)
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-fc9fcc19--022020-9237100389R103436-ender-CS-1965-Stratocaster-Chicago-Special-Heavy-Relic-FadedAged-Shoreline-Gold1.jpg?v=1587160827 1200w, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-fc9fcc19--022020-9237100389R103436-ender-CS-1965-Stratocaster-Chicago-Special-Heavy-Relic-FadedAged-Shoreline-Gold1_800x800.jpg?v=1587160827&resized 800w, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-fc9fcc19--022020-9237100389R103436-ender-CS-1965-Stratocaster-Chicago-Special-Heavy-Relic-FadedAged-Shoreline-Gold1_400x400.jpg?v=1587160827&resized 400w)
BULD YOUR DREAM GUITAR
Contact us for special deals, or learn how you can build your very own "Chicago Special" guitar from the Fender Custom Shop!
CALL US NOW!"CHICAGO SPECIAL" TELECASTERS
NECK
Neck Blank: Maple Rift Sawn
Fingerboard: Maple/Rosewood
Neck Shape: '63 Strat Style "C"
Fingerboard Radius: 9.50" Radius
Nut Width: 1.650"
PICKUPS
Hand-Wound "Chicago Special" Telecaster
Bridge: wide diameter AlNiCo 3 magnets
Neck: wide diameter AlNiCo 5 magnets
43 gauge enamel wire
BODY
Body Wood: Alder, 2-piece/Ash
Body Finish: Nitro Lacquer
HARDWARE
Hardware plating: Chrome/Nickel
Bridge Assembly: Tele 51-54
Tuning Keys: Vintage w/ Fender Logo CC
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-1dafaae9--092319-Fender-9237100203CZ543220.jpg?v=1587161740 1200w, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-1dafaae9--092319-Fender-9237100203CZ543220_800x800.jpg?v=1587161740&resized 800w, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-1dafaae9--092319-Fender-9237100203CZ543220_400x400.jpg?v=1587161740&resized 400w)
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-281dafaa--121719-Fender-Chicago-Special-Groups-by-Year-1955-Telecaster.jpg?v=1587161734 1200w, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-281dafaa--121719-Fender-Chicago-Special-Groups-by-Year-1955-Telecaster_800x800.jpg?v=1587161734&resized 800w, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-281dafaa--121719-Fender-Chicago-Special-Groups-by-Year-1955-Telecaster_400x400.jpg?v=1587161734&resized 400w)
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-33281daf--090419-Fender-9237100205CZ5431599237100263R100766.jpg?v=1587161729 1200w, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-33281daf--090419-Fender-9237100205CZ5431599237100263R100766_800x800.jpg?v=1587161729&resized 800w, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0343/4368/2183/t/3/assets/pf-33281daf--090419-Fender-9237100205CZ5431599237100263R100766_400x400.jpg?v=1587161729&resized 400w)
SHOP FENDER CUSTOM SHOP GUITARS
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