Ex-Fender master builder starts own company

[hchoe741]

Saw this pop up on my feed, thought I'd share. Carlos Lopez, former Fender master builder, started Castedosa Guitars. Only 1 model so far, a baritone.

Not my cup of tea, but I could see some indie rockers playing it.

 

[twoheadedboy]

Bold choice to start with a baritone.

 

[hchoe741]

Bold choice to start with a baritone.

I agree

 

[babadethkat]

I like it a lot, almost looks like a late 40's Bigsby inspired twist on a baritone. Not sure on the decal position and font though. I wonder how much they go for?

 

[Daniel C]

I'm definitely interested, but let's get down to brass tacks: What's the price?

 

[joobajooba]

I love the look of these and am a big fan of Carlos’ work and aesthetic. Casino Guitars posted a long video today about them, and in the comments section said they are $7-8k depending on specs.

 

[PastaPizzaMammamia]

Just another luthier who instead of inventing his own shapes uses the classic Strat shape.

 

[dB]

Just another luthier who instead of inventing his own shapes uses the classic Strat shape.

Yup. Master builder that could probably build anything they dreamt up. And they built a mashup of Fender and Gibson, with a Bigsby headstock. No doubt probably a sick guitar though.

 

[hchoe741]

I love the look of these and am a big fan of Carlos’ work and aesthetic. Casino Guitars posted a long video today about them, and in the comments section said they are $7-8k depending on specs…

Yikes! I was expecting around 3k at most

 

[Daniel C]

I love the look of these and am a big fan of Carlos’ work and aesthetic. Casino Guitars posted a long video today about them, and in the comments section said they are $7-8k depending on specs…

Yikes! He made a name for himself at Fender, but at that price he might be dead in the water. I would think he should be going after the Novo market. Needs to knock a couple grand off to be competitive. But I'm willing to be plenty wrong. Just can't see it.

 

[dB]

Yikes! I was expecting around 3k at most

I wonder if his market is accommodating the requests that Fender Custom Shop simply won't? Not a bad strategy.

 

[HERSCHEL]

Just another luthier who instead of inventing his own shapes uses the classic Strat shape.

By reading TGP the only chance a new company has is to rehash 60-year-old designs and we’ll probably still bitch endlessly about the headstock being different. Let’s face it, a lot of guitar buyers aren’t artists trying to innovate. They’re weekend LARPers exercising their Led Zepelin fetish.

 

[Benz2112]

Just another luthier who instead of inventing his own shapes uses the classic Strat shape.

But it isn't a strat, it resembles the Brawler that he came up with while at Fender.

 

[rollyfoster]

By reading TGP the only chance a new company has is to rehash 60-year-old designs and we’ll probably still bitch endlessly about the headstock being different. Let’s face it, a lot of guitar buyers aren’t artists trying to innovate. They’re weekend LARPers exercising their Led Zepelin fetish.

Well now it will be 10 pages long instead of 2

 

[Digital Larry]

They’re weekend LARPers exercising their Led Zepelin fetish.

This brought to mind my close encounter with Dimebag Darrell (RIP) at the 1996 NAMM show. I was in the Korg booth playing a guitar through a Pandora effects box into headphones. DD, at that time endorsing the Pandora, comes into the booth with photographer and small entourage to do a photo shoot. As he walks past me, he gestures with his thumb and says "check out this dewd with his Zeppelin licks!"

I don't know any "Zeppelin licks". I was probably playing a Celtic tune. Does that count?

 

[hunter]

Yikes! I was expecting around 3k at most

Maybe it begs the question why people spend that much on a masterbuilt guitar. It is the same guy after all? Same knowledge and ability. Why should his builds now be several thousand cheaper?

 

[360MG]

This brought to mind my close encounter with Dimebag Darrell (RIP) at the 1996 NAMM show. I was in the Korg booth playing a guitar through a Pandora effects box into headphones. DD, at that time endorsing the Pandora, comes into the booth with photographer and small entourage to do a photo shoot. As he walks past me, he gestures with his thumb and says "check out this dewd with his Zeppelin licks!"

I don't know any "Zeppelin licks". I was probably playing a Celtic tune. Does that count?

That's like 90% of my repertoire!

 

[TurquoiseStrat]

I think starting with a baritone is a baller move. But I’m biased since I’m currently planning a baritone partscaster.

 

[hchoe741]

Maybe it begs the question why people spend that much on a masterbuilt guitar. It is the same guy after all? Same knowledge and ability. Why should his builds now be several thousand cheaper?

Well for one, the masterbuilt stuff are all individually unique. These guitars, although offered with various options, are somewhat mass produced. Also, the Fender name adds to the value of the guitar. It may be the same builder, but he's not going to have the same resources and privileges as he did working for Fender, and his name does not carry the same weight as Fender, not yet ayways.

 

[JB6464]

Master builder at bolting on four screws and leveling the frets for a good setup playing guitar.
For that kind of money, I can build 5 Warmoth guitars and have my option of wood, specs, neck style and finish and including baritone.
It's all in the setup, master that and save a lot of money.