Combining dual passions of woodworking and guitar playing, Chris Fleming has been building, repairing and restoring instruments for more than 16 years. His experience at the celebrated World of Strings shop in Southern California amply prepared him for the role of Master Builder.

Chris started at the Custom Shop in 2000 as an assistant to three Senior Master Builders: Fred Stuart, Alan Hamel and John English. He was then tapped to become the Project Coordinator for Guild® at the Corona facility, helping make the production transition from Westerly, RI a smooth one. In 2003, he became a Master Builder specializing in Telecaster® guitars, but also building a wide range of electric and acoustic guitars, basses, mandolins and other exotic stringed instruments.

He’s built instruments for many artists including: John 5, Billy Gibbons, David Gilmour, John Mayer, Pete Townshend, Joe Walsh and Ron Wood.

In 2003 and 2004, Chris created the prototype for the Custom Shop 1954 Stratocaster® Anniversary model, as well as the first 30 1954’s produced. In 2004 Chris also coordinated the Custom Shop production of the first Gretsch® guitars made in the U.S. in many years. Currently, Chris is team leader of custom product development, and develops new custom products across the Fender® family brands, as well as supporting production of Guild and Tacoma® guitars at the Tacoma, Wash. facility, in addition to his duties at the Fender Custom Shop.