Van Trigt Becomes 13th Fender Custom Shop Master Builder, The Fourth Added Since 2018
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (November 12, 2019)—Fender Musical Instruments Corp. (FMIC) announced today a new Master Builder joining the Fender Custom Shop: Vincent Van Trigt. Van Trigt brings a strong knowledge of the Fender brand from working in both the Gretsch and Fender Custom Shops for the past nine years, and spending the last four years as an Apprentice Master Builder under Fender Master Builder John Cruz. Two years before that he worked as an Apprentice Master Builder under Master Builder Stephen Stern.
Van Trigt brings a comprehensive understanding of the business to his work, having served in many positions at Fender. After moving to the U.S. from the Netherlands in 2004, he worked on the Fender factory assembly line in Corona for a few years before making the move to the Fender Custom Shop in 2010. Two years later he moved to the Gretsch Custom Shop to work as an Apprentice Master Builder under Stephen Stern before coming back to the Fender Custom Shop two years later to work under esteemed Senior Master Builder, John Cruz. With Cruz, Van Trigt worked hand in hand on high-profile projects for top artists, including Gary Moore, Stevie Ray and Jimmie Vaughan and most recently Phil Lynott.
“Vince learned from one of our very best,” said Mike Lewis, VP of Product Development at Fender Custom Shop. “Apprenticing under John Cruz rooted Vince in that special care and attention to detail that only a Master Builder possesses. In addition to veteran Master Builder Jason Smith, Vince is also an accomplished bass player and has a special touch when it comes to basses. Over the years, Vince has continuously dazzled me with his unique bass designs. I’m really looking forward to seeing his work at the upcoming 2020 Winter NAMM show.”
In his new position as Fender Custom Shop Master Builder, Van Trigt is looking forward to building incredible replicas of old Fender guitars and working with more artists. “As an aspiring builder it was very inspiring for me to work alongside the other Master Builders, getting the freedom to learn and experiment on my own in a highly creative environment,” Van Trigt said. “The products we make here are phenomenal, and the history and legacy of the brand are known worldwide – no brand out there has influenced music as much as Fender.”
For additional information on new Fender products or to find a retail partner near you, visit www.fender.com or www.fendercustomshop.com. Join the conversation on social media by following @Fender and @FenderCustomShop.
