This week, Fender quietly announced its new Fender American Professional lineup of electric guitars and basses. We're talking about American Professional Strats, Teles, Jazzmasters, Jaguars, P-Basses and Jazz Basses.
The company says the lineup is "packed with a host of updates aimed at professional players" and that it "combines the best of yesterday and today." Fender also has provided a helpful Q&A to help its fans understand the changes—and what they can expect to see starting in January.
You can read that Q&A—and watch these five brand-new pro-shot demo videos—below:
• Kenny Wayne Shepherd Introduces the Fender American Professional Stratocaster
• Marlon Williams discusses the Fender American Professional Telecaster
• Nik West breaks down the Fender American Professional Jazz Bass
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• Sean Hurley on the Fender American Professional Precision Bass.
The Q&A is below. Remember we'll be seeing these guitars up close at the 2017 Winter NAMM Show in January. Be sure to stay tuned for more info!
What is the American Professional Series? Combining Fender's longstanding history of quality, handmade craftsmanship and industry innovation, the American Professional Series features 92 different guitars and basses and offers a number of unique enhancements. American Professional Series instruments are available in a variety of ash and alder body styles, including newly designed Stratocasters, Telecasters, Jazzmasters, Jaguar, Precision Basses and Jazz Basses.
Each guitar features rosewood and maple fretboards, and the series introduces three new colorways: Sonic Gray, Mystic Seafoam and Antique Olive. Other colors included in the series are Olympic White, Black, 3-Color Sunburst, Sienna Sunburst and the return of classic Butterscotch Blonde available only on Telecaster models.
What's happening to the American Standard Series? For now, American Standard instruments are still available in select stores and online, but availability is limited as our dealers ramp up for the official launch of the American Professional line coming in January 2017.
Damian is Editor-in-Chief of Guitar World magazine. In past lives, he was GW’s managing editor and online managing editor. He's written liner notes for major-label releases, including Stevie Ray Vaughan's 'The Complete Epic Recordings Collection' (Sony Legacy) and has interviewed everyone from Yngwie Malmsteen to Kevin Bacon (with a few memorable Eric Clapton chats thrown into the mix). Damian, a former member of Brooklyn's The Gas House Gorillas, was the sole guitarist in Mister Neutron, a trio that toured the U.S. and released three albums. He now plays in two NYC-area bands.
