He’s built more than 800 custom He has since built finely crafted instruments for influential players including Paul McCartney, Andy Summers, Johnny Marr, Patrick Stump, Mike Dirnt, Sting and many others. “It’s all about the feel and sound of an instrument,” Galuszka said. Paul Waller. Welcome to Ken Smith Basses, Ltd. Home of the Highest Quality Handmade Basses since 1979 100% Handmade in the USA Custom Shop team stems from his wildly successful inlay business, Lead guitarist Neal, a founding member, and keyboard player Jonathan Cain are suing their long-time bassist Russ Valory and drummer Steve Smith, claiming they tried to … “I’ve learned from the best of the best, and I can’t put into words how special it is to be a part of such an iconic brand with some of the finest builders in the world,” Lopez said. Smith left Iron Maiden in 1990, forming his own band Psycho Motel while also playing in Bruce Dickinson’s solo outfit, but then rejoined the metal giants in 1999. Shishkov joined the Fender Custom Shop’s Master Builder team in 2000 and has crafted truly magnificent instruments featuring exquisite detail and inlay work. exclusively for Fender Custom Shop effective immediately. Paul Waller is a Southern California native with woodworking and luthiery in his blood. Carlos Lopez received his first electric guitar – an American Standard Stratocaster – as a teenager, and hasn’t looked back since. He got his foundation in instrument design and repair and restoration while working on guitars and other stringed instruments during this time. A Custom Shop veteran and son of longtime Fender R&D legend Dan Smith, Jason Smith grew up on Fender—“It has always been in my family,” he said, “And I was always extremely interested in everything my father did.”. Before he was even in his teens, Smith was going to see Pink Floyd, ZZ Top and many other major artists. Steve Stevens (born Steven Bruce Schneider; May 5, 1959) is an American guitarist and songwriter.He is best known as Billy Idol's guitarist and songwriting collaborator, and for his lead guitar work on the theme to Top Gun – "Top Gun Anthem" – for which he won a Grammy in 1987: Best Pop Instrumental Performance.Stevens has played for Michael Jackson, Ric Ocasek, Robert Palmer and many others. Features and specifications subject to change without notice. Innovating the roundwound bass guitar string and igniting the sound of rock and roll, we’ve been at the forefront of making music since 1958. Since then, Fleming has held a variety of positions with Fender that have allowed him to further hone his skills, including Master Builder Apprentice, Chief Engineer, Guitar R&D, Director of Build standards and OEM Manufacturing, and most recently the Director of Custom Operations for all FMIC custom brands. Five years of that prepared him for his first job as a builder at Jackson/Charvel Guitars.  Steve Stevens on WhoSay They sound as fresh and relevant today as the day they were released, as evidenced by being recently covered by artists as varied as Miley Cyrus, Green Day, Queens of the Stone Age, Him, Black Veil Brides, Children of Bodom, Dope, Daughtry, Sum 41, Blink 182, Drowning Pool, Murderdolls, Deathstars and The Donnas.In addition to currently working on a new record together, Idol & Stevens continue to tour to sold out crowds all over the world. $('.vincent').flexslider({ controlNav: false, Promoted to the Custom Shop in 2007, he spent the next eight years in the Team Built division, honing his Fender chops and assisting Master Builders on various projects. The music industry now has anchors in the western and eastern ends of Fort Smith. Stevens also tours with several popular all-star bands including Camp Freddy and Kings of Chaos. Steve Smith, Percussionist, Music Professional, Engineer, Producer, Business Owner and Author. Stern came to the Custom Shop in 1993, working with D’Aquisto on the latter’s namesake line of guitars until the great luthier’s death in 1995. In the late ’90s, millionaire collector Scott Chinery commissioned a number of custom archtop guitars by two dozen of the world’s finest living luthiers; Stern contributed a custom-built D’Aquisto Ultra. 14 Guitars With Names, And Stories, And What Became Of Them. Stevens catalog of hit songs that he co-wrote & performed alongside Idol include “Rebel Yell”, “Eyes Without A Face” and “Flesh for Fantasy”. Stern also built a handful of exquisite archtops in collaboration with the Walt Disney Co. to commemorate the anniversary of the animated classic Fantasia. Mac has a huge repertoire of work, including collaborations with famous artists The guitarist Steve Cooney is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. Dale Wilson arrived at Fender in 2003, joined the Custom Shop in 2005 and became a Master Builder in 2011. }); To me that’s exciting, and to be part of a legacy like that is a dream come true.”,