I can't tell much about Fender custom shop, because i never had it and never ever played one, but about custom shop - hand made by luthiers, i can tell that i bought at 2006 Ibanez GWB1005 which is made by Japan lythiers - SUGI guitars. I felt the feeling of hand made quality at the first second and the second thing is that i will never sell it even for 100000e. About Fender custom shop - I think it is ok with them, hand made job by best luthiers, but that doesn't mean that somewhere in the world, there is a factory made one, that YOU will like better than custom shop job.