Electric History: Guitar Stories by The Music Zoo. Mike Eldred of El Cabron Guitars - Pt II: Running The Fender Custom Shop
With over six decades of stories from working in the guitar industry, Mike Eldred has seen it all from the earliest days of Van Halen on the Sunset Strip, to being the first employee of Charvel Guitars up through managing the Fender Custom Shop and now building El Cabron Guitars. This is part II of our conversation with Mike, covering his time running the Fender Custom Shop!
Music Zoo owner Tommy Colletti speaks to his longtime friend Mike Eldred for a second half of the conversation covering Mike Eldreds decades-long career in guitars. Part one covered his early days playing the instrument through being the first employee of Grover Jackson. Part two here covers the later half of Mikes career as he ran the Fender Custom Shop!
Watch it & read it
Electric History: Guitars Stories by The Music Zoo. Ep. 3 - Mike Eldred on Running Fender Custom · 144:29 · 20 chapters
Chapter 1 · 0:00
Part Two: The Fender Custom Shop Story
Mike Eldred and Tom continue their conversation, revisiting topics from the first interview and diving into Fender Custom Shop history and guitars.
From the video
I You know what the funny the funniest thing about the first one was my wife said I watched all of it and I went there's no way that thing was two hours long. Two over two hours long.
you did and I got uh emails uh Instagram messages like it came from all sides, text messages and
Chapter 2 · 1:18
How Mike Eldred Got to Fender Custom Shop
After Yamaha and a short return to playing music, Eldred describes the unexpected call from John Page that brought him to the Fender Custom Shop.
From the video
Yeah. Um let me see. Well, [clears throat] I was working after Charell, I went to Yamaha and I worked for Yamaha about eight
You [snorts] know, let's start with that. And let me can I get I'm going to start just how I got the gig.
Chapter 3 · 6:30
The Early Days of Fender Relic Guitars
Eldred explains how early Fender relic instruments were painted and aged outside the factory before the process evolved into a major Custom Shop program.
From the video
And he was like in I think in Missouri or something like that. And they would ship them to Ketto. And then he would paint them and relic them. And then they would put them back in the crates and
then they would send them back. So there were like three or four crates that kind of leaprogged, you know, back and forth and then and then Yeah. And then that
Chapter 4 · 10:00
Building the Jimi Hendrix Monterey Tribute
Eldred recounts studying Hendrix’s original Monterey Strat, documenting every detail, and using the original guitar as the basis for an exact tribute.
From the video
and the closest thing that that came to that was this Hendrick's Monteray guitar that John did while I was there and that
was really cool because it was you know Pamelina painted it but it wasn't archaic painted like Hendrickx had painted his original one that he smashed. That guitar was long gone, but
Chapter 5 · 14:00
The Mojo of Historic Artist Guitars
The discussion turns to the emotional power of famous instruments, including Hendrix’s Strat and Rory Gallagher’s guitar, and what it means to physically handle them.
From the video
all awe inspiring to hand hand somebody that, you know, one of the one of the weirdest ones I don't want to get off I'm going to
answer your question, but I don't want to get track um because you and I can both get off track. But anyways, one of the one
Chapter 6 · 19:40
Inside a Legendary Guitar Repair
Eldred describes examining a heavily damaged Stevie Ray Vaughan-era guitar and discovering an ingenious neck repair that had been hidden beneath a veneer.
From the video
The most interesting thing about that guitar for me was the neck because that was the original neck that was on it.
"Well, I'm gonna go to lunch." And so they left and just left me and me and George in this room with these
Chapter 7 · 35:00
Working With Eric Clapton
Eldred shares stories from his interactions with Eric Clapton and the surprisingly down-to-earth relationship that developed around guitars and the Custom Shop.
From the video
soccer ma match and um and uh I'm just watching it and and I the guy standing next to me goes he goes I think the amp the new amps are really good, don't you?
He's just standing looking at me like that. [laughter] I'm like, "Yeah." And he goes, "Do you have you tried them all?" I go, "Yeah, I tried I I played
Chapter 8 · 45:00
From Charvel to Fender: The People Behind the Guitars
The conversation connects Eldred’s Charvel history with Fender’s Custom Shop and emphasizes the importance of experienced builders and personal relationships.
From the video
because they they at this point I'm running the custom shop and They come to me and they go, "Okay, so we bought we
And they go, "You need to go over there and do the inventory." And I looked at them, I said, "Why do I have to go over there and do the inventory?" And they go, "Cuz you worked
Chapter 9 · 55:00
Why Guitar Players Care About the Details
Eldred and Tom discuss why players notice subtle differences in guitars, including finishes, wood, neck feel, and the character that individual instruments develop.
From the video
And I always tell everybody the same thing, though. Anytime you look, look for a picture online of Leo Leo Fender in a factory. And nine times out of 10,
you'll see him with his hands on his hips looking down at some guitar player playing a Telecaster or Stratacastaster or something.
Chapter 10 · 65:00
The Dealer-Manufacturer Relationship
Eldred explains why strong relationships between guitar manufacturers and independent dealers matter beyond simple spreadsheets and margins.
From the video
I think that that's really important and and I I don't on a on a spreadsheet level, you can look at it and go, "Yeah, but we get
it or more than what I paid for it. and and so I'm really concerned about that kind of mindset.
Chapter 11 · 70:00
When Custom Guitars Become Special
The conversation explores how standout instruments emerge from hands-on attention, player feedback, and a willingness to make guitars that feel individual rather than generic.
From the video
see it I' walk into a Sam Ash and I'd see these like really blasze tops on Les Paul's Yeah.
or like whatever you know um you're going to hear about it you know but you won't hear about it with like Sam Ash and they used to you know like I used to
Chapter 12 · 75:00
Fender’s Artist Relationships
Eldred talks about working with artists and how direct communication can lead to distinctive instruments that reflect the player rather than simply following a standard specification.
From the video
And um and then I get done with it and and uh I go, "Hey, can I ask you a favor?" And he goes, "Yeah, what?" I go I go, "The real reason why I'm here is I
had this really great talk. We talked about Bon Dutch. We talked about all kinds of stuff, hot rods and stuff and Yes.
Chapter 13 · 85:00
Meeting Richie Blackmore
Eldred recounts his first encounter with Richie Blackmore and the later relationship that led to building and discussing guitars with the Deep Purple legend.
From the video
stuff. And and Richie got up to go to the bathroom and I looked at Candace and I said, I told her that story. I said, "The first time I met him." And I told her what he said. Then she laughed and
talked for hours, you know, had a bunch of beers and all that stuff. Went upstairs, had even more beers, sat and talked and all that stuff and all that
Chapter 14 · 90:00
The Richie Blackmore Guitar Stories
More stories about Blackmore, his preferences, and the memorable interactions surrounding his guitars reveal how artist relationships can shape a builder’s work.
From the video
goes, "I was in my room and and I heard Richie yelling for me and so I I walk out I open up the door and I I look out
Blackmore and he was talking about one of the Rainbow Records where it they recorded at some castle and he said he
Chapter 15 · 95:00
Jimmy Vaughan, Stevie Ray & Rory Gallagher
Eldred moves through a series of artist instruments and relationships, discussing influential players and the guitars associated with their careers.
From the video
You know what's really funny that that's happened just to me personally? I'll share it with you.
When we first got your the first El Cabone guitar, that's who I was hoping was going to buy the first one. Not that
Chapter 16 · 100:00
Building Guitars for Billy Gibbons
The conversation turns to Billy Gibbons and the long-running exchange between artist and builder, including the possibility of a future instrument.
From the video
Gibbons and I talk back and forth, but you know, at some point it'll I I know Billy at some point it's going to be like,
Yeah. And that guitar, it for what it's worth, it sounds a little bit like at least the track. Yeah.
Chapter 17 · 110:00
Why Small-Batch Guitar Building Matters
Eldred discusses his approach to building guitars in limited quantities, staying close to the work, and why individuality can get lost when production becomes overly corporate.
From the video
that I have already. And and then we dig up all this stuff. And yeah, it's a trip, man. It's so
And the the thing that I that blows my mind about it because a lot of people are kind of figuring it out now. And
Chapter 18 · 115:00
What Guitar Makers Can Learn From the Past
Eldred reflects on vintage instruments, guitar-company history, and the lessons that can be learned by studying how great guitars were actually made.
From the video
this most times when I'm I do this every time when I'm doing a run of guitars at the end of the day every night I walk
out and I turn the garage light on and I pull the guitars down. I look at them for one more time before I go to bed and
Chapter 19 · 120:00
Bill Schultz & the People at Fender
Eldred closes with stories about Bill Schultz, Fender’s leadership, and why personal relationships with guitar players and dealers mattered so much to the company.
From the video
yeah, figuring out how to do it. And um I'm grateful for where we're at now. And then, you know, that's Yeah.
working on it and then everything's gone. I'm like, "Oh no, I lost everything that I was just working on." And then I hit a couple buttons. Oh no,
Chapter 20 · 123:30
Papa Legba Love Rub & One More Conversation
The interview winds down with a discussion of Mike’s Love Rub, future projects, and the possibility of another installment.
From the video
It's always that stuff. And so for me to be in the MI world and only have two dealers, you know, for the western
normal is art to me. And I've always liked that. I've always liked justification where it's just like ying and yang, bad and good, e, good and
