Custom Strat build – 2018
“This whole journey began with an idea surrounding a guitar that I’ve always wanted to purchase. I was in the market for a Stratocaster but for some reason could not come to terms with buying the typical fender models. I wanted something different. And as a result, I never purchased one.
Chris and I have been friends throughout my search for my next guitar. It piqued my interest when I found out he was making custom guitars. I saw some of the beautiful work he was doing and we worked out a deal to get started on my project. I had a fairly specific vision of what I wanted. Color, weight, style, electronics, neck measurements and playability were all important elements in my vision of what would become the best guitar I own. I’ve owned a few high-end guitars in my playing career, and I can state with 100% confidence, Chris is the real deal.
The process from start to finish far exceeded my best expectations. There were multiple check points throughout the design and construction. The chronological updates on the website were simply amazing. I’m not sure there’s anyone in the world that is interacting with his customer they way Chris does. Chris’s attention to detail and exacting standards is as good as any premier guitar maker I’ve seen. His consultation through the process was conscious and respectful.
The whole project took about nine months. When it came time for the reveal and I had the unit in my hands and first played it, I could not believe how beautifully it played, felt, looked and sounded. It exceeded every expectation by miles. It was a Strat made specifically for me and is truly a one of a kind work of art. And you could also say, it really isn’t a Strat, and it’s not. It’s better than what I envisioned.
The visual presentation is simply a work of art. The tone and sustain is out of this world. And the consistency throughout the fretboard is calibrated to perfection. The materials, paint and custom finishing details are just as good or better then you can find in a high end guitar retailer.
One of the main reasons I decided to go with Chris for the build was the story behind the name “Addict”. He has devoted himself to this endeavor and I’m honored that he poured his time and energy into something I’ll cherish for a lifetime. His focus and energy on recovery falls into every detail on my guitar…. there is no way you can buy that. And the results truly are amazing.
Thanks Chris! We’ll be talking soon about my next vision.”