Whether giving blistering gear demos or autographs, these well-known artists drew crowds in Anaheim this year.
One of the draws for the industry crowd at Winter NAMM is the appearance of many notable musicians. Sometimes they’re there to look around at the gear but most are there to perform and demo the latest gear (the things with their name on it), meet people, and sign autographs. This year Steve Morse played for Ernie Ball, George Lynch played for ESP, Greg Koch played for Fishman, and Mickey Mouse brought the whole darn Disney Marching Band for the opening ceremony. People lined up to get selfies with Eric Johnson, John Petrucci, and Corey Feldman. Yes, people lined up to meet Corey Feldman, the guy from The Goonies and Stand by Me. He’s in a band. Who knew?
FINNEAS, known for his Grammy Award-winning collaborations with Billie Eilish, collaborates with Fender on his signature Acoustasonic.
Having picked up his first guitar at the age of 12, FINNEAS' guitar-playing journey has been a key element in his career. Known for his ability to seamlessly blend acoustic and electronic elements, his music resonates with authenticity and emotional depth. In March 2019, he garnered widespread acclaim for his Grammy-winning contributions to Billie Eilish's breakthrough album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?. FINNEAS then stepped into the spotlight with his own debut, the Blood Harmony EP in 2019, followed by his debut full-length album, Optimist, in 2021. His latest collaboration with Billie Eilish on her album HIT ME HARD AND SOFT continues to push musical boundaries and has garnered critical acclaim, further solidifying their impact on the music industry. Together, they have captivated a global audience, inspiring a new generation of artists to explore and embrace authenticity and vulnerability in their music. Their dynamic partnership has become a beacon for those seeking to innovate and express genuine emotion through their art.
Exploring the Finneas Acoustasonic Collection | Fender Artist Signature | Fender - YouTube
“The most important thing to me about a guitar is versatility,” said FINNEAS. “I was first introduced to the Acoustasonic guitar in 2019 when I was on tour with Billie, and I played it at every show that year. When we started conversations about my signature model, I knew this guitar was great in a live setting, and I wanted to find ways to take it into the studio and make it a versatile, expressive studio instrument. This is the result of that. ”
In addition to the release of his first-ever signature guitar, FINNEAS has just released his latest single, “For Cryin’ Out Loud!”, now available on all major streaming platforms. This track is a precursor to his much-anticipated sophomore album, For Cryin’ Out Loud!, which is set to be released on October 4.
The FINNEAS Acoustasonic Player Telecaster and the Limited Edition FINNEAS Acoustasonic Telecaster guitars mark Fender’s first-ever Acoustasonic artist signature guitars. Distinguished by custom electronics curated by FINNEAS, these models combine a magnetic Acoustasonic Shawbucker pickup and a Fishman undersaddle transducer to deliver clean electric, small-body acoustic, and dreadnought acoustic tones. Additionally, both models feature an onboard chorus effect selected by FINNEAS, seamlessly integrating added sonic characters.
The key differences lie in their finishes and places of manufacture: the standard model boasts a modern Cappuccino Fade satin finish on its solid spruce top, while the LE features an all-Arctic White satin finish for a premium aesthetic. Both guitars share a Modern Deep “C”-shape neck for a confident yet comfortable feel and a Shawbucker magnetic pickup known for its tonal charm and noiseless performance, ideal for studio use. The standard model is made at Fender’s Ensenada facility in Mexico, whereas the limited edition is crafted at Fender’s historic facility in Corona, California.
“We are incredibly proud to collaborate with FINNEAS on his first signature guitar,” said Justin Norvell, Justin Norvell, EVP of Product at FMIC. “The FINNEAS Acoustasonic Player Telecaster and LE FINNEAS Acoustasonic Telecaster capture the unique blend of acoustic, electric and onboard effected tones that characterize his music. This guitar is more than an instrument; it's a versatile tool meant to inspire the next generation of producers and artists to explore new sonic landscapes and push their creative boundaries. FINNEAS's innovative spirit and dedication to authenticity shine through in every detail of these signature models.”
FINNEAS Acoustasonic Player Telecaster ($1,399.99) Purposefully streamlined and equally versatile, the Fender Acoustasonic intuitively transitions from acoustic to electric thanks to revolutionary magnetic and under saddle piezo electronics with 3-way switching co-designed with Fishman to deliver an unmatched acoustic experience. This evolution of the Acoustasonic Player Telecaster offers a set of six voices chosen by FINNEAS to range from clean electric to small-body and dreadnought acoustic, and includes a hand-selected onboard chorus effect in two positions for a versatile array of studio-worthy sounds. Built with uncompromising tonewoods including a braced solid spruce top, mahogany body and neck, and a rosewood fingerboard and bridge, this Acoustasonic is crafted to deliver the organic sonic nuance that is sure to resonate. Other personalizations include a Cappuccino Fade satin finish and an engraved FINNEAS signature on the back of the headstock. A deluxe padded gig bag is also included to provide premium protection and portability.
Limited Edition FINNEAS Acoustasonic Telecaster ($2,499.99) This limited edition American Acoustasonic Telecaster offers a set of ten voices chosen by FINNEAS to range from clean electric to various flavors of acoustic and includes a hand-selected onboard chorus effect in two positions for a versatile array of high-fidelity studio-worthy sounds. Built with premium tonewoods including a braced solid spruce top, mahogany body and neck, and an ebony fingerboard and bridge, this Acoustasonic is crafted to deliver organic sonic nuance that is sure to resonate. Other personalizations include an all-Arctic White satin finish and a FINNEAS signature on the back of the headstock. A deluxe molded hardshell case is also included to provide premium protection and security while traveling.
For more information, please visit fender.com.
Fender Finneas Signature Acoustasonic Player Telecaster - Cappuccino Fade
FINNEAS Sig American Acoustasonic Tele, CappuccinoPure nickel wound strings designed to capture classic tones. Available in popular gauges (9s and 10s), these strings are intended to offer rich, warm tones and longer string life.
The Seymour Duncan Antiquity series of pickups have always given musicians access to the true vintage tones of the most famous guitars ever produced. To further our commitment to capturing these influential sounds, Seymour Duncan is now pleased to offer the perfectly voiced companion, a set of Antiquity Vintage Modern Strings.
Before nickel-alloy plated strings became commonplace, pure nickel wound strings were found on most electric guitars. Their rich, warm tone became a crucial ingredient to the sounds of classic blues and rock & roll. An added benefit of a pure nickel wrap is a longer string life and a more consistent tone between string changes. Now our Antiquity Vintage Modern Strings bring you even closer to the sound of electric guitar’s early heyday. Pure nickel wound and available in your favorite modern gauges (9s and 10s), Antiquity Vintage Modern Strings are the perfect start to your signal chain in the quest to unlock your favorite classic guitar sounds.
For more information, please visit seymourduncan.com.
Our columnist traces the history of the 6-string Cuban tres—from Africa, to Cuba, to the top of American country music.
I love that I was taught by my father and grandfather to build a variety of string instruments. I have continued to do this—I have built so many different types, and I learn from each one. I am currently building a nanga, a rectangular, harp-like African instrument played by the Ganda people of Uganda.
As I have been building this instrument and learning from the musician who commissioned it, I am often reminded of the influence Africa has on so many instruments, from drums to the banjo, or akonting as it was originally named. A popular instrument that I have recently been getting more requests for that is equally influenced by Africa’s music is the tres cubano, or Cuban tres.
In comparison to other chordophones—instruments whose sounds come from the vibration of stretched strings—from around the world, this instrument is relatively young, appearing first towards the end of the 1800s. The original tres is said to have three courses with a total of six strings, and while the 9-string version is now more associated to the Puerto Rican tres, a 9-string iteration of the Cuban tres is documented as early as 1913, though it’s believed that the Puerto Rican instrument influenced the additional strings.
Most early models of the tres have a similar body to a classical guitar or the requinto romántico, but the more common shape now is a smaller, pear-shaped body offered either with or without a cutaway. The tres has only begun to get more visibility in the past 25 years, so sizing can vary greatly from luthier to luthier, but to help players who are unfamiliar with this instrument to get a better idea of the size, here are some specs from a Delgado model.
“The note placements of the tres in a changüí summon something deep inside any musician who is stirred by tempo and a hypnotic rhythm.”
One of the models I make has a body depth of 4″. The upper bout is 9″ and the lower bout is 14 1/2″ with a scale length of 545 mm, or 21 1/2″. The tuning also depends upon the player, but the traditional tuning is G–G–C–C–E–E. The outer string pairs—the Gs and Es—are each tuned an octave apart. Their gauges, from top to bottom, are .031–.011–.014–.014–.012–.023.
Again, you will see a range of string placements, gauges, and differences in tuning, but this is the foundation to help give you a basic understanding.
Now to describe the sound and style of the tres—I am literally moving to the rhythms I hear in my mind as I write this. While my heritage is Mexican, I feel so in touch with so many genres of music from around the world, and the music from Cuba is one of them. I like to describe this instrument as a percussive string instrument, because the note placements of the tres in a changüí—the Cuban music form that gave way to the Son Cubano, or “Cuban Sound”—with its strong African-infused beats, summon something deep inside any musician who is stirred by tempo and a hypnotic rhythm.
Like how Linda Ronstadt was key in helping bring audiences to appreciate and invest in mariachi music with the release of Canciones de mi Padre, I would argue that Ry Cooder did the same for Cuban music when, after traveling to Cuba, he helped introduce the world to Cuban artists as old as 89 on the 1997 album, Buena Vista Social Club, the creation of which was captured in the 1999 documentary of the same name.
Since the release of this album, we have seen the tres grow in popularity and availability. Many artists and bands have fused the tres into their music, using it in untraditional styles, but the sound is still recognizable. We have even built custom electric tres cubanos for clients! Pancho Amat, an ambassador for the tres and arguably one of the greatest living musicians to play the instrument, blends his classical and jazz backgrounds with the tres’ natural sounds to create a unique sound. Thinking in terms of a drum pattern and African roots, you will have a better grip on the method when trying this instrument for the first time.
Now, do yourself a favor. Find an evening to relax, mix yourself a beverage—preferably a mojito—and rent the Buena Vista Social Club … then give me a call for your Delgado tres cubano.
Through The Official Fender Certified Pre-Owned Reverb Shop, musicians can buy pre-owned Fender instruments that have been professionally inspected and come with a Fender one-year limited warranty at a significant discount to new gear prices.
“We’re excited to offer for the first time ever Fender Certified Pre-Owned guitars directly on Reverb. Pre-owned guitars have long been popular among players, particularly new players and collectors. Fender Certified Pre-Owned gives players of all levels the opportunity to own a quality instrument at an affordable price,” said Fender CEO Andy Mooney. “Fender Certified Pre-Owned guitars represent not only a fantastic value—allowing players to purchase an instrument that is professionally inspected, backed by Fender, and sold at a discount—but an opportunity to support a more sustainable guitar industry, giving the instruments a second, third, or fourth life and participating in the circular economy.”
Used music gear continues to grow in popularity among price-conscious musicians, with sales for used guitars on Reverb growing by more than 50% between 2019 and 2023. Certified pre-owned instruments offer the affordability of used music gear, plus the added benefit of warranties and easy returns. While certified pre-owned programs are common in industries like automotive and tech, Fender Certified Pre-Owned on Reverb is the first program of this magnitude within the musical instrument industry, launched by the world’s leading guitar manufacturer and the largest online marketplace dedicated to music gear.
“Over the years, many of my very best creative tools were bought from other musicians and the secondary market. In fact, The Hitmaker was from a pawn shop in 1973. These guitars come with stories and history that just make them special,” said Nile Rodgers. “The fact that you can now buy pre-owned guitars from Fender means that you get the character and the affordability of pre-owned gear, plus Fender’s seal of approval.“
The Official Fender Certified Pre-Owned Reverb Shop will feature unique pre-owned electric, acoustic, and bass guitars, with new instruments added weekly. All guitars will come with a Fender-backed one year limited warranty and have been professionally inspected and, as needed, refurbished by Fender’s sustainability partner MIRC. Since 1993, MIRC has kept thousands of guitars from going to landfills as the nation’s largest wholesaler of quality used guitars.
“We’re thrilled for the opportunity to partner with Fender to offer musicians not only affordable guitars, but affordable guitars that have been meticulously inspected and, as needed, repaired to look and sound incredible,” said Reverb CEO David Mandelbrot. “It’s more important than ever that the music-making community has access to affordable musical instruments and Fender Certified Pre-Owned on Reverb will help many players get their hands on great-sounding guitars that fit within their budget.”
The Official Fender Certified Pre-Owned Reverb Shop is now open. Save the shop to your Favorites to be notified as new guitars are added.
For more information, please visit reverb.com.