Very cool and relatively uncommon 2001 Fender Custom Shop Showmaster FMT Set Neck in Cobalt Blue Transparent.

The early Custom Shop Showmasters are quite different from a traditional Stratocaster. This model features a carved figured-maple top, rear-routed electronics and, most importantly, set-neck construction with a beautifully sculpted heel for excellent upper-fret access.

The Cobalt Blue Transparent finish looks fantastic over the flame maple top, with a natural scraped maple edge around the body. The highly figured maple neck is equally impressive and is paired with a rosewood fingerboard and abalone dot inlays.

The guitar weighs a very comfortable 7.435 lbs.

Specs and Features

• 2001 Fender Custom Shop Showmaster FMT Set Neck
• Made in USA
• Serial number: SN6947145
• Cobalt Blue Transparent finish
• Carved figured-maple top
• Alder body
• Natural scraped maple edge
• Highly figured set-in maple neck
• Rosewood fingerboard
• Abalone dot inlays
• 22 medium-jumbo frets
• 25.5" scale length
• LSR roller nut
• Sperzel locking tuners
• HSS pickup configuration
• Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro APH-1B bridge humbucker
• 5-way pickup selector
• Master volume and tone controls
• Wilkinson tremolo
• Weight: 7.435 lbs
• Fender hardshell case

Condition and Modifications

The guitar is in good overall condition for a 25-year-old instrument and has clearly been played.

There are normal surface scratches and handling marks along with several more noticeable finish chips on the rear/lower edge of the body. I have photographed these areas closely rather than trying to hide them. The front presents very well and the transparent figured-maple top remains striking.

The guitar is not completely original. The original bridge has been replaced with the current Wilkinson tremolo, and the original Seymour Duncan ’59 Trembucker has been replaced with a Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro APH-1B.

The original bridge and original bridge pickup are not included.

There is also no Custom Shop COA included.

Please review all photographs carefully as they form part of the description.

The set-neck construction is one of the features that makes these early Showmasters particularly interesting. The sculpted heel provides excellent access to the upper register, and the guitar feels much more like a high-end boutique Super-Strat than a conventional Fender.

With its carved flame-maple top, figured set maple neck, locking tuners, roller nut, HSS configuration and comfortable 7.44 lb weight, this is a distinctive piece from an unusual period of Fender Custom Shop production.

If you're looking for something considerably less common than another Custom Shop Strat or Tele, this is a very cool example.

Includes Fender hardshell case.

Happy to provide additional photos or measurements to a serious buyer.