Fender® Introduces American Performer Series Guitars And Basses Amid Spike In Live Concert Attendance

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Dec. 4, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) today announced the release of its American Performer Series, a brand new electric guitar line and gateway into Fender's Corona, Calif.-made electric guitar offerings. Previously called the American Special Series, American Performer marks the first refresh of guitars and basses at the $1,099.99 price point in more than 10 years. Available now, the series will make its official debut at Winter NAMM in Anaheim, Calif. in January 2019.

Handcrafted in Corona, Calif., the American Performer Series elevates the standards of performance-grade instruments for artists, making delivery seamless on stage, so players can focus on their art and sharing that in its finest form. Featuring 98 SKUs, the American Performer Series brings the Jazzmaster, Mustang and Mustang Bass into the US-made line in the $1,099.99 - $1,199.99 price range. After listening to direct feedback from artists, product developments focused on creating solutions for performers. New features include: Yosemitetm pickups officially introduced for this line; patent-pending DoubleTaptm humbucking pickups; ClassicGeartm tuning machines; special circuitry and enhanced electronics; a 70s style logo in silver on all models; an oversized '70s headstock on Stratocaster models, as well as three brand-new gloss colors and three satin finishes.

Since 1946, Fender has listened to artists' feedback, a practice which continued with this new line. Today, demand for recorded and live music is at an all-time high (and growing) with 86 million people having attended a Live Nation Concert in 2017, up 21 percent over the previous.* In addition, based on a recent Fender study, guitar players are more diverse than ever, performing across a variety of venues - from on-stage at concerts to recording studios and even on social media. This new line takes into account both the boom in live musical performances and the demand for a roadworthy instrument that can handle any artist's demands, no matter the arena.

"As the popular music and live performance landscape evolve, so do the needs of performers and that includes the guitars they rely on," said Max Gutnik, Vice President, Fender Electric Guitars and Basses. "Fender was built from the ground up on artist feedback, and that philosophy has remained our guiding light for our continued innovation. The American Performer sets out to make every performance seamless by creating solutions for performers, so they can deliver at their best in the moment."

The Performer Series blends traditional Fender design with new elements for modern tone and performance. Together, the updates deliver sonic versatility, tonal flexibility and ease of use for performers, helping them hone their tone across musical genres; they include:

• Newly designed Yosemitetm pickups:
• These alnico pickups deliver sonic versatility and tonalities to help create your perfect sound across every musical genre.
• Patent-pending DoubleTaptm humbucking pickups:
• An innovative product design that incorporates a coil-splitting system to smoothly toggle between humbucking and single-coil pickup modes for even tone.
• Provides full-throated humbucking and expressive single coil tonalities without the volume loss typical in split-coil pickups, so you get all the tonal flexibility without compromise.
• ClassicGeartm vintage-modern tuning machines:
• Vintage-style 18:1 drop-in replacement tuners help performers get the best of both worlds with classic styling and a modern gear ratio, so the guitar gets in tune easily and accurately?and stays in tune.
• Enhanced electronics:
• A new push-pull pot provides different tonal features across models and the Greasebucket circuit cuts treble without loss of gain or clarity.
• Allows you to add your neck pickup or tap your humbucking pickup with a quick push of the button and dial in your perfect tone on the fly.

Fender American Performer Series are already being used across multiple genres, including: rock, alternative, indie, R&B and more by top artists, such as: Punk-Indie artist, Fidlar; R&B artist, Tom Misch; Soul artist, Catious Clay, and Indie Rock band, La Luz. The new line will be available today December 4, 2018 at local dealers and on www.Fender.com. The following models are offered in all-new gloss colors and Satin finishes, including: Arctic White, Aubergine, Honeyburst, Penny, Satin Surf Green, Satin Sonic Blue and Satin Lake Placid Blue, among others:  

• American Performer Stratocaster^® $1,099.99
• American Performer Stratocaster^® HSS $1,099.99
• American Performer Telecaster^® $1,099.99
• American Performer Telecaster^® HUM $1,099.99
• American Performer Mustang^® $1,099.99
• American Performer Jazzmaster^® $1,199.99
• American Performer Precision Bass^® $1,199.99
• American Performer Jazz Bass^® $1,199.99
• American Performer Mustang Bass^® $1,199.99

Learn more about Fender's American Performer Series, find product descriptions of each model here and product images here. View demo videos for Mustang and Telecaster models.

For technical specs, additional information on new Fender products and to find a retail partner near you, visit www.fender.com. Join the conversation on social media by following @Fender. Product will be available in Japan and Australia beginning January 2019.   

ABOUT FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION:
Since 1946, Fender has revolutionized music and culture as one of the world's leading musical instrument manufacturers, marketers and distributors. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC), whose portfolio of brands includes Fender^®, Squier^®, Gretsch^® guitars, Jackson^®, EVH^® and Charvel^®, follows a player-centric approach to crafting the highest quality instruments and musical solutions across genres. FMIC is dedicated to unlocking the power of music through electric and acoustic guitars, amplifiers, pro audio, accessories and digital products that inspire and enable musical expression at every stage, from beginners to history-making legends.

* Source: Live Nation/Variety

SOURCE Fender Musical Instruments Corporation