Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) announced the MonoNeon Jazz Bass V to honor the inventive bassist’s singular vision and empower players everywhere to approach the instrument with the same curious spirit that has fueled his vivid career. Known for his knack for funk and micro-tonal detail, creating a signature instrument that encapsulates MonoNeon’s spirit and ability is a tall order.

As the brand that brought forth the electric bass, Fender seeks to honor the biggest pioneers of the instrument across genres and MonoNeon is one of them. Mono’s fashion sense is on par with his playing, often adorned in fluorescent layers and accessories that would give any glow stick a run for its money. Thanks to this signature model’s eye-popping yellow and orange finish and pickguard, the optics on this bass keep up with the fashion sense of the man who inspired its creation. That being said, MonoNeon Jazz Bass V is far more than meets the eye.

“Getting my own artist signature bass with Fender is definitely a full circle experience happening right now,” said MonoNeon. “Seeing medal holding my bass is really crazy. He’s like my first musical hero. He’s a very funky player. I’d just practice to all of his records, try to find anything he played and just learn it. I wanted to be just like him and I still do.”

Accompanying the launch of the MonoNeon Jazz Bass V is “In Conversation with MonoNeon,” a video hosted by George Clinton, as he guides viewers through the “Monoverse.” The piece features a series of jam sessions, including the “Duo of Bullshit” with MonoNeon and Blaque Dynamite, as well as commentary from his mother, grandmother, and father, Dwayne Thomas Sr.

The MonoNeon Jazz Bass V makes a statement – equal parts swagger and serious business. It features an alder body finished in an eye-popping neon yellow urethane finish, complemented by a neon orange painted headstock and pick guard. “These are my two favorite colors, high-visibility orange and yellow, because I love how the construction workers look on the highway. You can see them from far away. It’s inspired by them.”

The 22-fret, one-piece roasted maple neck is C-shaped for comfort and has 10”-14” compound radius fingerboard and pearl block inlays. Custom Fireball 5-String Humbucking Bass pickups deliver luscious and robust low end with growl, while the 18-volt preamp provides extra headroom. Meanwhile, the 3-band active EQ gives players endless tonal capabilities and the Fender HiMass string-through-top-load bridge increases resonance, weight, and sustain. Each bass comes with a MonoNeon sticker pack and custom headstock Stance sock.

“MonoNeon is one of the most-inventive bass players of this generation, and to honor him with a Fender bass that encapsulates his unique style and vast talents is a privilege,” said Justin Norvell, EVP of Products at Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. “We worked closely with him to create a bass that not only visually represents the online persona we’ve come to know, but also embodies his funk-inspired, abstract and microtonal playing. From the eye-popping neon yellow and orange finish, to his Custom Fireball 5-String Humbucking Bass pickups and HiMass bridge, this bass gives players endless tonal capabilities and robust low end with a growl.”

In true tradition, the Fender Artist Signature Series honors iconic musicians through product progression and storytelling, creating instruments inspired by the unique specifications of the world’s greatest guitarists and bassists.

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) revealed a sampling of its new Fall 2022 product lineups, encompassing both player-driven guitar innovation and longstanding Fender craftsmanship. Designed to support Fender’s mission to give ‘artists wings to fly’, the new offerings cater to players looking to expand their sonic palette whether picking up for the first time, stage-ready performers or collectors adding a new piece to their arsenal.

Music continues to evolve as artists expand and diversify the space, redefining the role guitar plays in their creative process. Fender has long listened to this increasing demand for innovation from players and is continuously introducing new models to help fuel creative expression and a hunger for new sounds. New launches span compact yet bold amplifiers and most notably, All-Mahogany additions to the American Acoustasonic Series embodying the spirit of purposeful innovation that Fender was built on.

2022 New Product – Acoustics.- American Acoustasonic All-Mahogany

American Acoustasonic All-Mahogany Guitars embody the spirit of purposeful innovation that Fender was built on. From acoustic shape-shifting to electric rhythm tones, these powerful guitars use a revolutionary Fender and Fishman-designed Acoustic Engine to deliver new sonic expressions from the studio to stage hand. Handcrafted in Corona, California at the same factory that makes Fender’s iconic electric instruments, these guitars represent the next era in Fender craftsmanship and innovation – designed for fearless artists seeking an inspirational instrument with limitless new sounds and a great Fender feel.

American AcoustaSonic Telecaster All-Mahogany ($199,99 USD)
Elegantly simple, the Acoustasonic Telecaster was designed to inspire – mixing future technology with organic feel and playability as a way to connect artists to their music. The fully hollow body features an integrated harmonics. A smooth-playing mahogany neck and open-pore satin finish make this cutting edge guitar comfortable and easy to play, while the Solid Mahogany top gives new tonal characteristics with warmer meds and smooth lows.

On stage, the Acoustasonic Telecaster eliminates many of the challenges associated with playing an acoustic guitar live by cutting out feedback, making it easy to access the sounds you need without switching instruments. The Acoustasonic Telecaster is powered by the Fender and Fishman-designed Acoustic Engine – a proprietary blend of classic analog and future technologies that optimize the guitar’s natural sound – modifying the resonance to deliver a curated collection of voices.

American AcoustaSonic Jazzmaster All-Mahogany ($1,999.99 USD)
Elegantly simple, the Acoustasonic Jazzmaster was designed to inspire – mixing future technology with organic feel and playability as a way to connect artists to their music. The fully hollow body features an integrated harmonics. A smooth-playing mahogany neck and open-pore satin finish makes this cutting edge guitar comfortable and easy to play, while the Solid Mahogany top gives tonal characteristics with warmer meds and smooth lows.

On stage, the Acoustasonic Jazzmaster eliminates the challenges associated with playing an acoustic guitar live by cutting out feedback, making it easy to access the sounds you need without switching instruments. The Acoustasonic Jazzmaster is powered by the Fender and Fishman-designed Acoustic Engine – a proprietary blend of classic analog and electric voices can be played solo or blended via the Mod Knob to create new sounds. They can also be used simultaneously, courtesy of the Fender Acoustasonic Noiseless magnetic pickup. Available in Natural or Bourbon Burst.

Visit the Fender press release to find out more about Fender’s California Coast Series Ukuleles, and Fender’s Amplifiers.

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) announced the global launch of the Limited Edition Terry Kath Telecaster, honoring the legendary “Chicago” guitar player’s legacy with a collectible, limited run guitar created by the esteemed Fender Custom Shop.

The ‘Shop’ is distinctly honored to pay tribute to such an acclaimed pioneer by recreating Kath’s custom Telecaster guitar – which was played throughout his live performances with Chicago and truly embodied the notion of “custom” long before the Fender Custom Shop was founded. Master Builder Dennis Galuzka has replicated the guitar in exacting, every scratch-for-scratch detail, from the Pignose stickers to the gaff-tape-sealed rear body route and every other custom element. With up to 50 units made worldwide, the Limited Edition Terry Kath Telecaster is a guitar for the ages, and a meticulously crafted homage to one of the true guitar greats of our time.

The late Terry Kath has been praised by fans and guitar greats alike for his brilliance as an absolute playing powerhouse. Kath, who Jimi Hendrix once cited as his favorite guitarist, fused sophisticated songwriting ability with his soulful vocals to launch Chicago Transit Authority in 1967. The band shortened its name to Chicago in 1969, achieving worldwide success and 2016 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. A consummate innovator, Kath created mind-blowing, never-before-heard guitar tones by experimenting with unorthodox guitar/amp configurations. His instinctive command of his completely original tone is heard on memorable tracks such as “25 or 6-to-4”, “Free Form Guitar”, “Introduction” and others.

His main axe – the one with which he is most identified, and which accompanied him on the journey to cult-status – is a most unusual 1966 Telecaster guitar, completely customized and plastered with stickers. Kath was so attached to the guitar that he’d buy a seat just for the instrument when traveling by air, rather than entrusting it to airline baggage handlers or even Chicago’s road crew.

The Tele guitar was an amalgamation of highly personalized modifications, including a synchronized Strat guitar tremelo with a sawed-off Tele guitar bridge plate, a humbucking neck pickup, custom body routes, a reverse control plate, custom tuning machines and three “wing” string trees. Adorned with Pignose stickers and other intricately placed regalia, the guitar has become legendary in of itself and is synonymous with Kath and his enduring musical legacy.

“This moment has been a long time coming,” said Michele Kath Sinclair, Terry’s daughter. “When we were making the documentary about my dad (Chicago: The Terry Kath Experience), we didn’t know where the guitar was, so the film almost became a hunt for this Telecaster guitar. We finally found it at my grandpa’s house; he labeled all of the guitar cases and this one said “Terry’s Favorite”. Finding this guitar meant everything to me because it feels like I have a piece of him with me that’s so iconic.”

The Limited Edition Terry Kath Telecaster is offered in Aged Vintage White with a lacquer finish and custom elements, like Pignose stickers and other intricately placed regalia.

Fender announced the Tone Master Super Reverb. It is the next addition to Fender’s acclaimed series of legendary amplifiers. Featuring Fender’s proprietary Tone Master modeling process and combined with player-centric features to maximize the utility of these amps, the Tone Master Reverb is a perfect replication of the legendary tube amplifier with modern features for today’s most demanding professionals.

The Tone Master Super Reverb is the magical combination of the mid-60s black panel amplifier circuit and four 10” speakers. It’s got the unique beefy sound of the large 4X10 cabinet, the chime of the Jensen speakers, and an easily driven mid-powered 45W (simulated) amplifier. There’s no mistaking this sound when you plug into it, and now you can lift it easily and set the volume to the venue.

With modern features including selectable output power and IR lien out, the Tone Master Super Reverb is ideal for stage, studio, or home use.

Features:

• Four Jensen P-10R alnico speakers
• Normal and Vibrato channels, each with two inputs and Bright switches
• Rear-panel output power selector for full power and five attenuated settings
• Balanced XLR line output with impulse response (IR) cabinet simulations, level control, and ground switch
• Lightweight, meranti ply cabinet
• Power jewel illuminates in different colors for normal operation, warmup, and mute/silent mode
• USB port for firmware upgrades
• Universal worldwide 100V – 240V operation
• Cover and two-button footswitch included

Highlights:

Legendary Super Tone: This amp features the most accurate emulation of Fender’s original Super Reverb. It sounds like the original, without the extra weight and maintenance.

Onboard Tremolo and Reverb: Fender’s powerful convolution-based technologies recreate the classic reverb and tremolo effects that made Fender’s amps famous and inspired new genres of music.

Rear Panel Features: This amp’s rear panel is packed with useful controls and connections: Line Output with level control, ground lift switch and a three-way IR cabinet simulation switch to select various microphone options.

6-way Power Attenuator Switch: Enjoy full, natural tone at almost any volume – from a full 45W of Fender power down to bedroom-and apartment friendly 0.5W.

Jensen P-10R Alinco Speakers: Jensen Alinco speakers are the traditional Fender speakers, with sweet articulation for clean sounds and cool vintage-style breakup when pushed.

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) released the Dhani Harrison Ukulele, marking the artist’s first collaboration with the iconic musical instrument brand. Designed for live performance, the Dhani Harrison Ukulele is built with eye-catching aesthetics from custom inlay work and unique stained finishes, to Fender electronics with a tone knob allowing players to EQ their sound.

“We’re thrilled to launch the Dhani Harrison Signature Ukulele, the latest addition to our expanding line of Fender ukuleles,” said Billy Martinez, Vice President Category Manager -Acoustic and Squier Divisions. “Dhani is a world-leading talent and we are seeing more demand for ukulele instruments than ever – so this collaboration made total sense to us. Dhani worked hand-in-hand with us to create his ideal ukulele, incorporating design elements that are deeply personal to him, which we hope will encourage people all over the world to express their own individuality and creativity.” 

Dhani has carved a unique career path as a multi-instrumentalist, composer and singer-songwriter, with a versatility that has led to collaborations with artists as varied as the Wu-Tang Clan, UNKLE, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Pearl Jam and Jeff Lynne’s ELO, to name but a few. Harrison grew up playing the ukulele, which quickly became an integral tool in his songwriting. A firm believer that being a great player is about how raw the right hand is and its gusto and rhythm, Harrison was influenced musically by the likes of Gabby Pahinui, Bennie Nawahi and George Formby.  

Dhani Harrison’s psychedelic style spans an impressive career. Harrison has performed at legendary concerts and festivals around the world including Coachella and Lollapalooza, as well as receiving a Grammy award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance for the completion of his father’s final album, Brainwashed. 

“I knew that if I did a Fender signature model, it would have to be a ukulele,” said Dhani Harrison. “I’ve always played it and I write a lot of stuff on a uke. I spent a lot of time in Hawaii growing up and it was there that I really fell in love with the uke as a serious instrument. I designed it to be my ideal stage ukulele that also sounds great when you’re not plugged in. The design is very much inspired by my passions and quest to build the ultimate ukulele. I wanted to do a blue finish and I wanted a light and a dark – kind of like a blue sky day and a space black night. The blue sapphire stain finish is my nighttime mode, and the turquoise stain is my daytime mode. I hope this new Signature Series helps inspire others on their own musical journey.” 

The Dhani Harrison Ukulele is available in two different finishes, each with its own unique fretboard inlays and engraved designs on the back of the instrument. Designed for live performance, the tenor-sized ukulele features a solid ovangkol wood top, with ovangkol back and sides, providing a warm sound – as well as a ¾ depth, upgraded Fender electronics, distinctive build and eye-catching aesthetics. With a choice of daytime and nighttime finishes, the stains were developed to maintain the visual grain of the wood. Extremely lightweight yet durable, the Dhani Harrison Ukulele is built to stand the test of time. 

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) today announced the 2021 class of artists joining Fender Next, an artist development program designed to elevate rising musicians that are pushing guitar forward in music and culture. Each Fender Next artist will receive Fender’s industry-leading guitars, amps, and more, alongside holistic, 360-marketing support across the company’s multi-channel platform to share their story and connect them with millions of music fans worldwide.

2021 marks Fender’s 75th anniversary and another historical year of supporting artists who push guitar and music forward. The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically impacted how artists connect with new and existing fans due to postponed tours and performances. With heightened visibility via the Fender social channels, Fender Next artists are able to reach nine million music fans around the world and showcase their unique sound to new audiences.

This year’s Fender Next group includes 25 rising artists (10 North American, 3 Australian/New Zealand, 7 European, 3 Asian, 2 Latin American artists) across genres, generations, genders and backgrounds that are elevating guitar in music and culture. A testament to the diverse and dynamic future of guitar, this year’s group is more than 50% women with 7 countries and 5 continents represented.

Benefits include:

• Access to guitars, amps, effects pedals, accessories and audio equipment serving artist needs across the signal chain.
• Products will include: American Acoustasonic series models, American Professional II guitars and basses, Mustang Micro personal guitar amplifier, effects pedals, Fender swag and other soon-to-be-announced instruments.

To see the full list of the artists that are part of Fender Next 2021, visit the Fender press release. You can click on any of the artists to find out more information about them.

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) released the Ben Gibbard Mustang, marking the artist’s first collaboration with the iconic guitar brand. Designed in concert with the eight-time Grammy-nominated frontman of Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service, the Ben Gibbard Mustang recreates Gibbards go-to touring model, complete with custom modifications that offer his emblematic guitar sounds to players at any level.

“Ben Gibbard’s unique guitar style helped define a genre, and we’re thrilled to have this opportunity to collaborate with him, bringing his signature sound to the masses,” said Justin Norvell EVP Fender Products. “Ben worked closely with us on the design of his signature Mustang with new pickups, simplified controls and a locked-down bridge to create a super rock-solid, roadworthy instrument.”

Hailing from outside of Seattle, Ben Gibbard is a singer-songwriter, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist that has solidified his place in music history, defining indie-rock for a generation through his bands and solo project. As the lead vocalist and guitarist of platinum-selling band Death Cab for Cutie, twenty years into its evolution, the band is still uncovering new curves in its signatures, with new sonic corners to explore. 

Undoubtedly, Gibbard and the band provided a soundtrack for early 2000s coming-of-age audiences, as seen through classics like “I’ll Follow You Into the Dark”, “Soul Meets Body” and “Transatlanticism,” which continually inspire fans to this day. He’s also amassed global admiration with The Postal Service, known for its acclaimed debut album Give Up, which featured hit song “Such Great Heights,” reached No 1 on Billboard’s Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart and went Platinum in the United States. In 2020, the band released concert LP Everything Will Change, which was recorded live at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, Calif., during their 2013 reunion tour.

“Growing up as a kid I always wanted to own a Fender but I couldn’t afford one until much later in life. It’s a dream come true to design my own signature model,” said Ben Gibbard “Over the years I’ve owned many different guitars, but my Mustang models have always been my favorites. Creating a custom version that is a replica of what I play on stage was an opportunity I could never pass up. I wanted to create something that would mimic all the augmentations I’ve made on my instruments, something you can just pick up off the rack and everything is intuitive. Maybe this player wants to sing and play guitar at the same time, or perhaps they want to play a guitar that makes navigating tone simple.”

Gibbard has been touring with Fender guitars for years. His signature model is a modified 70s Mustang that boasts a chambered ash body for a striking grain look; a short “C” shaped maple neck for ease of playing; simplified controls that replace extraneous switches with a single master volume knob and a three-position rotary pickup selector. The custom pickups have been voiced to emulate his own personal vintage Mustang guitars. All of the modifications are aimed at making the simple yet impactful guitar tone, that Gibbard popularized in Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service, achievable to players everywhere at any level.

The Ben Gibbard Mustang is priced at $1,099.99. Visit the Fender website to find out when it will be available.