Finely crafted U.S.-made models are designed to be a new pinnacle for Fender production instruments
Scottsdale, AZ (January 3, 2012) — Fender is very proud to introduce its new top-of-the-production-line best: the Fender Select series. Designed as “Select instruments for select individuals,” the five guitars and two basses in the series are designed to be players’ instruments that put more than six decades of Fender experience and expertise on outstandingly appointed display and bring a wealth of high-end features and elegant design options to discerning musicians everywhere.
With choice tone woods, figured tops, strikingly beautiful finishes, figured and quartersawn maple necks with compound-radius fretboards, specially voiced Fender Select pickups that deliver masterful tone, and other first-rate features, the U.S.-made Select Series presents Fender’s finest selection.
Here's what Fender has to say about each model:
The Fender Select Stratocaster is the sonic embodiment of tone-machine elegance, featuring a stunning Dark Cherry Burst gloss-lacquer finish and natural binding on a sleek flame maple-top body. Its modern “C” shaped flame maple neck has a comfortable contoured heel, Bi-Flex truss rod system for rock-solid stability, a satin lacquer back finish and rear-headstock “Fender Select” medallion. The smooth-playing compound radius flame maple fretboard (9.5”-14”) has 22 medium jumbo frets, stylish black pearloid position inlays and a gloss lacquer finish. Pure and singing signature sound comes from new Fender Select Stratocaster single-coil neck, middle and bridge pickups with five-way switching and a no-load tone control that delivers the natural uncolored sound of the bridge pickup when dimed. Other premium features include a three-ply pickguard (parchment-black-parchment), two-point synchronized tremolo bridge with vintage-style bent steel saddles, deluxe staggered cast/sealed locking tuners and nickel-chrome hardware. MAP $2049.99
The Fender Select Stratocaster HSS shares the same features, with several notable exceptions: It takes the refined elegance of its triple-single-coil brother and amps it up through the roof with the extra power of a Fender Select Stratocaster humbucking bridge pickup and the added elegance of a striking Antique Burst gloss-lacquer finish, modern “C” shaped birdseye maple neck, and smooth-playing compound radius rosewood fretboard (9.5”-14”) with white pearloid position inlays. MAP $2049.99
The Fender Select Telecaster elevates our very first legendary guitar model to the epitome of elegant style and formidable sonic substance, with a stunning Violin Burst gloss-lacquer finish and natural binding on a resonant honeycomb-chambered ash body with a solid flame maple top. Its modern “C” shaped birdseye maple neck has a comfortable contoured heel, Bi-Flex truss rod system for rock-solid stability, a satin lacquer back finish and rear-headstock “Fender Select” medallion. The smooth-playing compound radius birdseye maple fretboard (9.5”-14”) has 22 medium jumbo frets, stylish black pearloid position inlays and a gloss lacquer finish. Crisp, clear signature sound comes from new Fender Select Telecaster single-coil neck and bridge pickups with three-way switching and a no-load tone control that delivers the natural uncolored sound of the bridge pickup when dimed. Other premium features include a three-ply pickguard (parchment-black-parchment), knurled chrome knobs, American Telecaster bridge with new American Standard bent steel saddles and stamped brass plate, deluxe staggered cast/sealed locking tuners and nickel-chrome hardware. MAP $2149.99
The Fender Select Carved Koa Top Telecaster is a finely crafted, artfully captivating and sonically potent take on the model, with a stunning Sienna Edge Burst gloss-lacquer finish on a lightweight empress body with a carved koa top. Its modern “C” shaped flame maple neck has a Bi-Flex truss rod system for rock-solid stability, a satin lacquer back finish and rear-headstock “Fender Select” medallion. The smooth-playing compound radius rosewood fretboard (9.5”-14”) has 22 medium jumbo frets, stylish white pearloid position inlays and a gloss lacquer finish. Crisp, clear signature sound comes from Fender Select Telecaster single-coil neck and bridge pickups with three-way switching and a no-load tone control that delivers the natural uncolored sound of the bridge pickup when dimed. Other premium features include knurled chrome knobs, American Telecaster bridge with new American Standard bent steel saddles and stamped brass plate, deluxe staggered cast/sealed locking tuners and nickel-chrome hardware. MAP $2499.99
The Fender Select Carved Maple Top Telecaster shares the features above, with the elegant exceptions of an Amber gloss-lacquer finish, carved flame maple top and black pearloid position inlays. MAP $2499.99
The Fender Select Precision Bass presents an elegantly crafted, sonically seismic new take on the bass guitar that started it all, with a gorgeous Two-color Sunburst gloss-lacquer finish and flame maple top. Its modern “C” shaped quartersawn maple neck has Posiflex graphite support rods, a satin lacquer back finish and rear-headstock “Fender Select” medallion. The smooth-playing compound radius flame maple fretboard (9.5”-14”) has 20 medium jumbo frets, stylish black pearloid position inlays and a gloss lacquer finish. Loud, clear and deeply resounding tone issues from the new single Fender Select Precision Bass split-coil pickup. Other premium features include a three-ply pickguard (parchment-black-parchment), High-Mass Vintage bridge (top-loading or strings-through-body), Fender/Hipshot vintage-style tuners with tapered shafts, knurled chrome knobs, “stealth” string retainer and nickel-chrome hardware. MAP $2299.99
The Fender Select Jazz Bass elevates our most sonically versatile bass to the height of alluringly refined elegance and power, with a striking Amber Burst gloss-lacquer finish and flame maple top. It too has a modern “C” shaped quartersawn maple neck with Posiflex graphite support rods, satin lacquer finish and rear-headstock “Fender Select” medallion. Its smooth-playing compound radius rosewood fretboard (9.5”-14”) has 20 medium jumbo frets and stylish white pearloid position inlays. Two brand-new single-coil Fender Select Jazz Bass pickups pump warm and full low end, snarling midrange and ringing highs. It too features a three-ply pickguard (parchment-black-parchment), High-Mass Vintage bridge (top-loading or strings-through-body), Fender/Hipshot vintage-style tuners with tapered shafts, knurled chrome knobs, “stealth” string retainer and nickel-chrome hardware. MAP $2299.99
All Fender Select series models come with a Custom G&G Fender Select case and accessories including a strap, cable and polishing cloth.
For more information:
Fender
Metalocalypse creator Brendon Small has been a lifetime devotee and thrash-metal expert, so we invited him to help us break down what makes Slayer so great.
Slayer guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman formed the original searing 6-string front line of the most brutal band in the land. Together, they created an aggressive mood of malcontent with high-velocity thrash riffs and screeching solos that’ll slice your speaker cones. The only way to create a band more brutal than Slayer would be to animate them, and that’s exactly what Metalocalypse (and Home Movies) creator Brendon Small did.
From his first listen, Small has been a lifetime devotee and thrash-metal expert, so we invited him to help us break down what makes Slayer so great. Together, we dissect King and Hanneman’s guitar styles and list their angriest, most brutal songs, as well as those that create a mood of general horribleness.
This episode is sponsored by EMG Pickups.
Use code EMG100 for 15% off at checkout!
Learn more: emgpickups.com
The legendary German hard-rock guitarist deconstructs his expressive playing approach and recounts critical moments from his historic career.
This episode has three main ingredients: Shifty, Schenker, and shredding. What more do you need?
Chris Shiflett sits down with Michael Schenker, the German rock-guitar icon who helped launch his older brother Rudolf Schenker’s now-legendary band, Scorpions. Schenker was just 11 when he played his first gig with the band, and recorded on their debut LP, Lonesome Crow, when he was 16. He’s been playing a Gibson Flying V since those early days, so its only natural that both he and Shifty bust out the Vs for this occasion.
While gigging with Scorpions in Germany, Schenker met and was poached by British rockers UFO, with whom he recorded five studio records and one live release. (Schenker’s new record, released on September 20, celebrates this pivotal era with reworkings of the material from these albums with a cavalcade of high-profile guests like Axl Rose, Slash, Dee Snider, Adrian Vandenberg, and more.) On 1978’s Obsession, his last studio full-length with the band, Schenker cut the solo on “Only You Can Rock Me,” which Shifty thinks carries some of the greatest rock guitar tone of all time. Schenker details his approach to his other solos, but note-for-note recall isn’t always in the cards—he plays from a place of deep expression, which he says makes it difficult to replicate his leads.
Tune in to learn how the Flying V impacted Schenker’s vibrato, the German parallel to Page, Beck, and Clapton, and the twists and turns of his career from Scorpions, UFO, and MSG to brushes with the Rolling Stones.
Credits
Producer: Jason Shadrick
Executive Producers: Brady Sadler and Jake Brennan for Double Elvis
Engineering Support by Matt Tahaney and Matt Beaudion
Video Editor: Addison Sauvan
Graphic Design: Megan Pralle
Special thanks to Chris Peterson, Greg Nacron, and the entire Volume.com crew.
Katana-Mini X is designed to deliver acclaimed Katana tones in a fun and inspiring amp for daily practice and jamming.
Evolving on the features of the popular Katana-Mini model, it offers six versatile analog sound options, two simultaneous effects, and a robust cabinet for a bigger and fuller guitar experience. Katana-Mini X also provides many enhancements to energize playing sessions, including an onboard tuner, front-facing panel controls, an internal rechargeable battery, and onboard Bluetooth for streaming music from a smartphone.
While its footprint is small, the Katana-Mini X sound is anything but. The multi-stage analog gain circuit features a sophisticated, detailed design that produces highly expressive tones with immersive depth and dimension, supported by a sturdy wood cabinet and custom 5-inch speaker for a satisfying feel and rich low-end response. The no-compromise BOSS Tube Logic design approach offers full-bodied sounds for every genre, including searing high-gain solo sounds and tight metal rhythm tones dripping with saturation and harmonic complexity.
Katana-Mini X features versatile amp characters derived from the stage-class Katana amp series. Clean, Crunch, and Brown amp types are available, each with a tonal variation accessible with a panel switch. One variation is an uncolored clean sound for using Katana-Mini X with an acoustic-electric guitar or bass. Katana-Mini X comes packed with powerful tools to take music sessions to the next level. The onboard rechargeable battery provides easy mobility, while built-in Bluetooth lets users jam with music from a mobile device and use the amp as a portable speaker for casual music playback.
For quiet playing, it’s possible to plug in headphones and enjoy high-quality tones with built-in cabinet simulation and stereo effects. Katana-Mini X features a traditional analog tone stack for natural sound shaping using familiar bass, mid, and treble controls. MOD/FX and REV/DLY sections are also on hand, each with a diverse range of Boss effects and fast sound tweaks via single-knob controls that adjust multiple parameters at once. Both sections can be used simultaneously, letting players create combinations such as tremolo and spring reverb, phaser and delay, and many others.
Availability & Pricing The new BOSS Katana-Mini X will be available for purchase at authorized U.S. Boss retailers in December for $149.99. For the full press kit, including hi-res images, specs, and more, click here. To learn more about the Katana-Mini X Guitar Amplifier, visit www.boss.info.
Snark releases its most compact model ever: the Crazy Little Thing rechargeable clip-on headstock tuner.
Offering precise tuning accuracy and a super bright display screen, the Crazy Little Thing is approximately the size of your guitar pick – easy to use, unobtrusive and utterly dependable.
Housed in a sturdy shell, the Crazy Little Thing can be rotated for easy viewing from any angle, and its amazingly bright display makes it perfect for the sunniest outdoor stages or the darkest indoor studios. You can clip it to the front of your headstock or on the back of your headstock for extra-discreet usage – and you can easily adjust the display to accommodate your preference.
As the newest addition to Snark’s innovative line of headstock tuners, the Crazy Little Thing is rechargeable (no batteries!) and comes with a USB-C cable/adapter for easy charging. Its display screen includes a battery gauge, so you can easily tell when it’s time to recharge.
The Crazy Little Thing’s highly responsive tuning sensor works great with a broad range of instruments, including electric and acoustic guitar, bass, ukulele, mandolin and more. It also offers adjustable pitch calibration: its default reference pitch is A440, but also offers pitch calibration at 432Hz and 442 Hz.
Snark’s Crazy Little Thing rechargeable headstock tuner carries a street price of $21.99. For more information visit snarktuners.com.