In 2009, Andy Hicks decided to take this passion for guitar building seriously by enrolling in the Guitar Craft Academy in Hollywood, a 6-month program focused on electric guitars. Within a week of graduating, he started working at Fender in the Jackson Custom Shop dressing frets. From 2013 to 2018, he worked as an assistant to Gretsch Custom Shop Senior Master Builder, Steve Stern. Andy worked with various artists during this period and is very proud of his involvement with the Malcolm Young “Salute” Jet. In 2018, Andy seized the opportunity to become the lead builder and production manager for a high-end boutique guitar company and was subsequently recruited by James Tyler to oversee production for his shop in the San Fernando Valley.
This FENDER Custom Shop 60's Stratocaster Masterbuilt Andy Hicks #AH0416 (9216002107) features hand-selected two-piece Alder body, quarter-sawn Maple neck with Modern C profile, vintage compound-radius (9.5" > 12"), flat-lam Rosewood fingerboard with 21 narrow-tall frets, Custom Shop Hand-wound '60/63 Strat pickups and traditional/vintage-style parts.