Fender Debuts All-New Electrics and Acoustics at NAMM

FENDER MERGES ACOUSTIC INNOVATION WITH ELECTRIC GUITAR HERITAGE, EXTENDS AMERICAN ACOUSTASONIC® SERIES WITH STRATOCASTER® MODEL

All New Fullerton Series Ukuleles Bring Iconic Fender Electric Guitar Body Shapes, Colours to the Ukulele Community

HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. (January 16, 2020)—Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) today
celebrates the release of the newest model in the American Acoustasonic® Series and an all-new lineup of electric-inspired ukuleles at Winter NAMM 2020 in Anaheim, Calif. The additions include the cutting- edge, American-made Acoustasonic Stratocaster and the Fullerton Series ukuleles inspired by Fender’s most iconic electric guitars. Building off of the highly successful https://shop.fender.com/en-SE/acoustic-guitars/acoustasonic/american-acoustasonic-telecaster/0972013232.html?rl=en_US released at Winter NAMM 2019, the American Acoustasonic Stratocaster features all-new tone woods and voices with even more electric
possibilities. Along with three unique electric voices on the selector switch, the Acoustasonic
Stratocaster also adds all-new acoustic options, including short scale and concert body with a slotted headstock.

“We are proud to continue expanding our most sonically innovative platform with the American
Acoustasonic Stratocaster,” said Billy Martinez, Fender VP Category Manager, Acoustic Division.
“Following in the footsteps of what Fender accomplished over 70 years ago, it was a natural and
authentic progression for us to start with the Telecaster model and then offer a Stratocaster counterpartwith its own unique voices. We can’t wait to see what musicians, both Strat enthusiasts and acoustic fans, will achieve in their creative process with this new range of voices the Acoustasonic Stratocaster unlocks.”

Designed with a fully-hollow body and Fender’s patented Stringed Instrument Resonance System (SIRS), the American Acoustasonic Stratocaster offers a new sonic experience that is naturally loud and resonant both on and off stage. This hybrid guitar features an Acoustasonic Noiseless™ magnetic pickup that delivers a unique set of Stratocaster-inspired voicings and hum-free Fender electric tone, that can be played solo or blended with an acoustic voice to create new sounds. The Fender and Fishman- designed Acoustic Engine powers the Acoustasonic Stratocaster and provides a new body style and tone wood combinations that enable musicians to curate an all-new collection of acoustic and electric voices. This contemporary guitar also features a mahogany Stratocaster neck with an ebony fingerboard and thin line body that makes it both comfortable and easy to play.

“We’ve removed all the obstacles associated with playing an acoustic guitar, giving players those same sounds with an electric neck and comfortable thin line acoustic body – all in a familiar Strat body shape,” Martinez added. “At the same time, this guitar still gives you all the tonal options you would get in a Dreadnought, concert or auditorium acoustic guitar.”

Inspired by the legacy guitar maker’s electric roots in Southern California, the Fullerton Series brings the character and feel of Fender’s iconic guitar body shapes to the ukulele category. Aimed at those musicians looking for a unique take on a ukulele that has a body shape deeply rooted in tradition, the Fullerton Series tips the hat to Fender’s Telecaster®, Stratocaster and Jazzmaster models, ensuring players will stand out at every performance. Each ukulele features a laminated spruce top, maple neck with a laminated walnut fingerboard and Fender-designed preamp system that enables players to alter the sound via a single tone knob. Designed with comfort and ease in mind, the Fullerton Series also has a convenient no-tie bridge, making string changes a breeze in comparison to traditional ukulele bridges that require special knotting.

“The Fullerton Series is a true representation of blending iconic Fender style with the functionality of a traditional ukulele to diversify the way that players can express their vibe and personality on stage,” Martinez said. Each model is available in the traditional colours that each Fender electric guitar is known for - with the exception of the Jazzmaster which will be available in a brand new colour, Tidepool. All of these ukuleles and more will be displayed at Winter NAMM 2020:

• The American Acoustasonic Stratocaster - €1999
• The Fullerton Series Ukuleles - €199, including:
• Fullerton Telecaster (Butterscotch Blonde, Black)
• Fullerton Stratocaster (Three Tone Sunburst, Black)
• Fullerton Jazzmaster (Tidepool, Olympic White)

FENDER® SPOTLIGHTS RECENTLY-LAUNCHED AMERICAN ULTRA ELECTRIC GUITAR SERIES,
REVIVES MODELS FROM THE PAST AND BRINGS BACK PARALLEL UNIVERSE AT WINTE NAMM

Fender Introduces HM “Heavy Metal” Strat, Lead II and III models, Reveals All-New Parallel Universe and American Original and Player Series Guitars Now Available In New Models and Finishes

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (January 16, 2020)—Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) today debuted its extensive electric and bass offerings for traditional and modern players alike at Winter NAMM 2020. In addition to showcasing https://www.fender.com/pages/american-ultra-guitars – the brand’s most modern and advanced electric guitar series, Fender is bringing back models from its past, including the Lead, which will be added to the Player Series. The HM Strat also returns with the same unique look and specs as the original ‘88-‘92 models. Joining Fender’s limited-edition offerings are refreshes of fan-favourites including cult classic Parallel Universe Volume 2 and the highly-acclaimed American Original Series – now offering new models and finishes.

“We’re excited to present an incredible lineup of new instruments at Winter NAMM,” said Max Gutnik, VP of Fender Electric Guitars, Basses & Amplifiers. “Our leading focus for 2020 is our new flagship electric line, American Ultra. Ultra is a great example of the continued evolution of Fender’s classic instruments in a way that remains true to Fender’s original creation yet advances the instrument to serve modern players of all genres. While we look to the future with American Ultra, we are also celebrating our past with the re-release of the all-new HM Strat and Player Lead II and III guitars. The HM Strat and Lead series represent a wonderfully innovative time at Fender and a historic era in music, when musicians and their instruments were changing rapidly, and we’re thrilled to debut them here at NAMM.”

Launched in November 2020, the American Ultra Series is the most advanced guitar from Fender. The series has all-new modern features, state-of-the-art craftsmanship and nuanced design. With 44 SKUs, the American Ultra Series offers many options for players looking for modern advancements, including the Stratocaster®, Telecaster®, Precision Bass®, Jazzmaster®, Jazz Bass® and Jazz Bass® V with an assortment of all-new colours in the €2,189 - €2,049 price range. The Ultra Series is a pivotal moment in Fender history as it offers new body design and contours – marking the first time in decades since the last significant alteration was made to the iconic Fender Stratocaster of Telecaster body shapes. Embracing artist and player feedback is a core driver for Fender’s design process, leading to decades of subtle yet crucial innovations.

Fender created the Lead model in 1979, featuring a new solid-body design, hard-tail bridges and cool new wiring options. Paying homage, Fender is releasing the Player Lead Series for the unconventional, offbeat, and most importantly, undefined players. The series offers the choice of the Player Lead II (an homage to the late `70s models) and the Player Lead III (a tribute to the original 1982-only model), which both incorporate era-correct Lead Series specs with a blend of the modern Player Series specs offering style, power, and versatility in comfortable, easy-to-play models.

A true Fender fan favourite and cult classic will also be reborn at WNAMM, the limited-edition HM (Heavy Metal) Stratocaster originally designed and launched in the late-`80s with metal heads and technical players in mind. Built in the same factory as the original, the HM Strat will be available in four original era-correct Day-Glo colours: Frozen Yellow, Flash Pink, Ice Blue and Bright White.

Also debuting at WNAMM are all-new limited-edition models that make up Parallel Universe Volume 2 (€2,249 - €2,619). Offering even more unique models in the second iteration of Parallel Universe, these combinations of Fender design elements, body shapes and parts are for players looking for the most exciting and rare instruments Fender will come out with this year. The following models will be released in 2020:

• The Troublemaker Custom w/ Bigsby (€2,519)
• Troublemaker Tele Custom (€2,519)
• Strat Jazz Deluxe (€2,519)
• Maverick Dorado (€2,619)
• Spark-O-Matic Jazzmaster (€2,249)
• Jazz Strat (€2,249)
• Tele Mágico (€2,619)
• Uptown Strat (€2,249)

Also, new this NAMM season are two new models for Fender’s American Original series, including the `60s Telecaster Thinline and `70s Telecaster Custom. For product images and more information, click here. Lastly, Fender is adding to the Player Series to further expand entry level offerings within the Fender brand. The new models include the Duo Sonic, Mustang, Mustang Bass PJ and Mustang 90.

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