John Cruz

John Cruz - Master Builder from the Fender Custom Shop

Since 1987, the Fender Custom Shop has been a "dream factory," producing some of the finest guitars imaginable. The skilled craftsmen in Fender's Corona, Calif., Custom Shop are known worldwide for their artistry in making guitars that range from the fine to the fantastic. Whether it's building a new custom instrument from the ground up or modifying an existing one, their best is the best.


Fender Custom Shop instruments have been crafted for and with the input of the world's finest players-names like Clapton, Beck, Burton, Cray, Gilmour, Townshend and Vaughan, to name just a few. One could be yours.

John Cruz(pictured above) came to Fender in 1987, joined the Custom Shop in 1993 and became a Master Builder in 2003. Custom guitars are his passion, and he is the man behind several famous Custom Shop instruments, including the replica of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s famous “Number One” Stratocaster® guitar. Be sure to check out one of our Make'n Music Exclusive Fender Custom Shop John Cruz MVP strats or teles.