Launched in 1946, Fender is celebrating 75 years with new guitar series, upgraded favorites, and a freshly inked line of signature models.
Noventa Series
The Fender Noventa series is a new line of guitars that all sport the modern-voiced P-90 pickups (MP-90s) that have recently been found on the Mustang 90 and various Modern Player models, along with 21 medium jumbo frets and a classic 9.5-inch fretboard radius.
Three models are included in the lineup: the Noventa Stratocaster, Noventa Telecaster, and Noventa Jazzmaster. Each will be available in May.
The Noventa Telecaster is "a stripped-down rock machine," according to Fender, with one MP-90 in the bridge position and a slim pickguard. Finishes include Vintage Blonde and Fiesta Red (Maple fretboard) and 2-Color Sunburst (with a Pau Farro fretboard) for $949.99 USD.
The Strat has two MP-90s and a hardtail bridge. It will be available in Daphne Blue and Surf Green (with a Maple fretboard) and Crimson Red Transparent (with a Pau Farro fretboard) for $1,049.99.
The Noventa Jazzmaster, complete with the traditional Jazzmaster Tremolo system, adds a third MP-90 to create a "sonic powerhouse," Fender says. It will be available in Fiesta Red and Surf Green (with a Maple fretboard) and Walnut (with a Pau Farro fretboard) for $1,149.99.
Find the Noventa series on Reverb now.
American Ultra Luxe
Released in late 2019, Fender's American Ultra series is now joined by the American Ultra Luxe: new, distinctive models with a slight edge on their predecessors. Each of the new models is expected to arrive in April.
The American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster ($2,299.99) "features Ultra Noiseless Vintage pickups and advanced wiring options providing endless tonal possibilities–without hum," Fender writes. It's available in 2-Color Sunburst (with Rosewood or Maple board) or Plasma Red Burst (with Maple board).
An additional Strat model, the Ultra Luxe Stratocaster Floyd Rose HSS ($2,399.99), sports the eponymous vibrato system and one DoubleTap humbucker in the bridge position (a pickup that has previously been heard on Ultra and American Performer guitars).
Similarly, you'll be able to find the American Ultra Luxe Telecaster ($2,299.99) with a standard Tele pickup configuration or as a Floyd Rose HH ($2,399.99).
Find the American Ultra Luxe series on Reverb.
75th Anniversary Series
Limited-edition 75th Anniversary Stratocasters, Telecasters, Precision Basses, and Jazz Basses are handbuilt in Corona, California, with premium, classic features befitting Leo Fender's legacy.
Expected to ship in February, each also includes some special details: a custom Inca Silver molded hardshell case with plush Lake Placid Blue interior, a special certificate of authenticity, a 75th anniversary ingot inlaid into the back of the headstock, and an engraved anniversary neck plate.
All Corona-built models are available with ash bodies—which, as of April 2020, Fender is saving for such special-edition runs—in two-color Bourbon Burst with one-piece maple necks and Custom Shop pickups.
The models include:
- The 75th Anniversary Commemorative Stratocaster ($1,949.99), which includes a Deep "C" neck profile, rolled fingerboard edges, a sculpted neck heel, two-point tremolo, and Custom Shop Fat '60s pickups.
- The 75th Anniversary Commemorative Telecaster ($1,949.99) with one-piece Maple neck and Custom Shop Twisted Tele pickups.
- The 75th Anniversary Commemorative Precision Bass ($1,999.99), with a ’63 P-Bass neck profile and Custom Shop ’62 P-Bass pickups.
- The 75th Anniversary Commemorative Jazz Bass ($2,049.99), with a Slim "C" neck and vintage-voiced Custom Shop ’60s Jazz Bass pickups.
Additionally, there will also be more-affordable versions of these models, created at Fender's Ensenada, Mexico factory, for $849.99: the 75th Anniversary Stratocaster, Telecaster, Precision Bass, and Jazz Bass.
Find the full Fender 75th Anniversary series on Reverb now.
2021 Artist Signature Models
Throughout the first half of 2021, Fender plans to add a new collection of artist models to its signature lineup.
The Mike McCready Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster, coming in February, is a truly premium player, with an expected price of $15,000. The first collaboration with Fender and Pearl Jam’s lead guitarist Mike McCready, 60 limited-edition builds will be exacting replicas of McCready's beloved 1960 Strat (which, until Fender began investigating it, he always thought had been a '59).
The other new artist models are:
- The Chrissie Hynde Telecaster ($1,399.99, February), which is modeled after Hynde's '65 Tele and features an alder body finished in Faded Ice Blue Metallic RoadWorn lacquer, vintage-style '50s single-coil Tele pickups voiced to match Chrissie's original set, and locking tuners.
- The Ben Gibbard Mustang ($1,099, March)—featuring a unique chambered ash body—like the modified ‘70s Mustangs the Death Cab for Cutie frontman often plays.
- The Joe Strummer Campfire ($499.99, March), a small-bodied acoustic-electric meant to evoke the Strummerville vibes of the annual Glastonbury Festival.
- The Dhani Harrison Signature Ukulele ($279.99, May) is an acoustic-electric, tenor-sized uke, featuring a solid ovangkol top with ovangkol back and sides.
- The Jason Isbell Custom Telecaster ($1,499.99, May), a mid-'60s-style Tele with a Fender RoadWorn relic job.
Amps: '68 Custom Pro Reverb, '68 Vibro Champ Reverb, Mustang Micro
Finally, Fender's announcements include a trio of amps—two small combos and one truly tiny option—all available in April.
The '68 Custom Pro Reverb ($1,299.99) is a smaller and lighter version of the 40-watt original, with a single 12-inch speaker. The '68 Custom Vibro Champ Reverb ($749.99), which packs tube sparkle and bite in a 5-watt package.
The Mustang Micro is a personal guitar amp that connects directly to your guitar and lets you choose 12 amp and 13 effects tones found across Fender's Mustang GTX amp series.