New Fender Artist Signature Models 2017

Fender have just introduced a record five new artist signature models at Summer NAMM 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee, featuring models from some of the most celebrated guitarists in music.

Fender’s latest artist signature models showcase the versatility of Fender’s sound across genres, while paying tribute to some of the music industry’s most-celebrated players and their vibrant stories; they include the Brad Paisley Road Worn® Telecaster®, Jimi HendrixTM Monterey Stratocaster®, George Harrison Rosewood Telecaster, JMJ Road Worn® Mustang® Bass and EOB Sustainer Stratocaster.

“We’re debuting a record number of artist signature models at Summer NAMM this year, honouring some of the most respected players in the music world. The lineup – spanning country, alternative and rock – is a testament to the genre-transcending music these artists have all inspired, and Fender has and continues to enable.” Says Justin Norvell, SVP Fender Products.

Brad Paisley Road Worn Telecaster: Launched July 11, 2017
Fender teamed up with Brad Paisley to create his signature model, the Brad Paisley Road Worn Telecaster. The Brad Paisley Telecaster is crafted from a paulownia core capped by a spruce top and back, providing a solid, lightweight foundation with acoustic-like resonance. The Paisley-approved pickup configuration includes a custom-wound ’64 Tele® bridge pickup and a Fender Custom Shop Twisted Tele® neck pickup for classic tone with just the right balance of warmth and twang. Playability is key to Paisley’s fleet-fingered style and the “Enhanced V” neck profile is designed for comfort, filling the hand at the nut for easy chording while flattening out in the upper registers for soloing. The modern 9.5" radius fingerboard and medium-jumbo frets make it easy to play fast and bend big. This Tele wears a silver sparkle Road Worn lacquer finish and aged hardware. Elegant touches include a custom clear pickguard with black and silver paisleys and a cowboy hat insignia on the headstock.

Jimi Hendrix Monterey Stratocaster: Launching August 15, 2017
It's been 50 years since Jimi Hendrix took the world by storm with his incredible Monterey Pop Festival performance, which he concluded with the sacrificial burning of his now-iconic hand-painted Stratocaster. Destroyed during the fiery culmination of his set, this one-of-a-kind guitar survived only in photos and film. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of this milestone in music history, Fender created the limited-edition Jimi Hendrix Monterey Stratocaster. A trio of vintage-style single-coil Stratocaster pickups give this Strat® its classic Fender sound. Bell-like and articulate, it has plenty of singing sustain for soloing. The “C”-shaped maple neck bears a vintage-style 7.25”-radius pau ferro fingerboard with 21 vintage-sized frets for a playing feel just like the original. The six-screw synchronised tremolo is perfect for unleashing dive-bombs and other sonic expression. An homage to Hendrix’s spectacular Strat, right down to the hand-painted nail-polish artwork that burned its way into our memories, the Jimi Hendrix Monterey Stratocaster also features an exclusive etched Hendrix neck plate.

George Harrison Rosewood Telecaster: Launching August 22, 2017
To honour Harrison's venerable career, Fender has created the George Harrison Rosewood Telecaster, a limited edition commemoration that embodies Harrison’s elegantly restrained playing style and sound. Based on the original Telecaster created for Harrison by guitar luthier, Roger Rossmeisl, this model remains true to its heritage with a classic look and the unique tone only an all-rosewood guitar can produce. The body is chambered for reduced weight and increased resonance. Other features include a rosewood neck with a laminated 9.5" radius rosewood fingerboard and a custom neck plate engraved with an Om symbol. A classic in every way, this refined instrument was born in the era that defined rock n' roll. George Harrison’s legacy is one of innovation and creativity, and the rosewood Telecaster became one of his primary instruments of choice. Only 1,000 units will be available worldwide.

JMJ Road Worn® Mustang® Bass: Launching October 17, 2017
Known as a true renaissance man of the modern music scene, Justin Meldal-Johnsen’s bass credits range a variety of top artists across genres. From studio to stage, Justin’s treasured ’67 Mustang Bass is his tool of choice. Fender has teamed up with him to create a signature 4-string modeled after his vintage Daphne Blue instrument—the limited edition JMJ Road Worn Mustang Bass. Powered by a custom-spec split-coil pickup, the JMJ Road Worn Mustang bass is perfect for playing punchy, melodic bass lines. The 30" scale gives it a tight, focused tone while the modern 9.5”-radius fingerboard with rolled edges offers a familiar feel that will make any bassist feel right at home. Designed for comfort and speed, this bass also has stage-ready style.

Ed O'Brien Sustainer Stratocaster®: Launching November 14, 2017
Ed O'Brien’s ambient, ethereal and orchestral guitar style is an essential part of the sonic identity of Radiohead. Fender partnered with the groundbreaking player to create the EOB Sustainer Stratocaster — an instrument as unique as his sound. The Ed O'Brien Sustainer Stratocaster offers a wide palette of tones thanks to its Seymour Duncan® JB Jr. humbucking bridge pickup, Texas Special™ single-coil middle pickup and Fernandes® SustainerTM unit in the neck position. The Sustainer works some technical magic to create near-infinite sustain on one or more strings, making it easy to achieve thick, textured sounds. The Sustainer’s controls include an on/off switch, intensity control and three-position switch to select the mode: Fundamental-only, Harmonic-only or Blend. A mix of modern and classic, this Stratocaster features a 6-saddle vintage-style synchronized tremolo bridge, vintage-style tuning machines, a “10/56 V” neck profile, 21 narrow-jumbo frets, a synthetic bone nut and a special neck plate engraved with a custom “Flower of Life” emblem.