Hollywood, CA (January 12, 2021) -- In true tradition, the Fender Artist Signature Series honors iconic musicians through product progression and storytelling,āÆcreating instruments inspired by the unique specifications of the worldās greatest guitarists and bassists. 2021 will see Fender and some of the worldās leading players continue to blaze trails of product innovation, with this yearās launches including:
ā Chrissie Hynde TelecasterĀ ($1,399.99 USD, Ā£1,249, ā¬1,399, $2,699 AUD, Ā„175,000 JPY) With a Telecaster guitar in hand, Chrissie Hynde formed The Pretenders in 1978 and quickly established the band as a rock and roll powerhouse. Chrissieās churning Telecaster rhythms have been the heartbeat of the bandās sound since the beginning. In 2021, Fender and Chrissie Hynde launch the Chrissie Hynde Telecaster complete with an alder body finished in Faded Ice Blue Metallic RoadWorn lacquer; vintage-style '50s single-coil Tele pickups voiced to match Chrissie's original set; a 6-stainless steel barrel saddle bridge; and much more in an incredibly faithful recreation of one of the worldās most iconic guitars, Hyndeās treasured ā65 model.An artist-requested player-friendly update on the new Chrissie Hynde Telecaster are locking tuners, which offer increased tuning stability and make string changes quicker. Available February 2021.
ā Mike McCready 1960 Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster ($15,000 USD, Ā£13,399, ā¬14,999, $21,999 AUD, Ā„1,750,000 JPY) In this first-time collaboration between Fender and Pearl Jamās lead guitarist Mike McCready, the Fender Custom Shop is honored to re-create this incredible instrument in exact detail, and in doing so a long held secret about the guitarās lineage was forced to be revealed to its owner: the Strat was actually constructed in 1960, not 1959 as had long been believed. For this limited 60-piece Masterbuilt run, the Custom Shopās Vincent Van Trigt carefully disassembled the guitar in order to note and measure every detail, curve and scratch - and there are plenty of scratches, thanks to McCreadyās exuberant style! The recreation features an ultimate Relic lacquer finish on a two-piece select alder body; a flat-sawn flame maple neck with a 1960 āoval Cā profile; and a flat-lam rosewood fingerboard with 21 vintage frets. Custom Josefina hand-wound pickups matched to the originals are connected to a five-way switch and vintage wiring, including a ātreble bleedā tone capacitor. Other features include a three-ply vinyl pickguard, vintage-style synchronized tremolo with Callaham bridge block, vintage-style tuning machines, bone nut, and wing string tree with metal spacer. Includes deluxe hardshell case, strap, polishing cloth, McCready case candy kit and certificate of authenticity. Available February 2021.
ā Ben Gibbard MustangĀ ($1,099 USD, Ā£979, ā¬1,099, $2,099 AUD, Ā„140,000 JPY) Ben Gibbard has been a prominent voice in indie-rock since the late ā90s as singer-songwriter for platinum-selling band Death Cab for Cutie and also The Postal Service. His melodic, personal songwriting style and the bandās powerful sound have been cited as inspirations by countless musicians since. Modified ā70s Fender Mustangs have been Gibbardās preferred touring guitar choice for years and the Ben Gibbard Mustang is a faithful recreation of his touring workhorses, with some bold enhancements. Boasting a chambered ash body design for increased resonance, a reduced weight and one-piece 22-fret modern āCā-shaped maple neck, this guitar is a comfortable and highly versatile stage performer. Includes strap locks and Fender gig bag. Available March 2021.
ā Joe Strummer CampfireĀ ($499.99 USD, Ā£429, ā¬499, $899 AUD, Ā„45,000 JPY) More than 40 years after the Clashās iconic album London Calling was released, Joe Strummer - the bandās articulate and fiery co-founder, lyricist, rhythm guitarist and lead singer - remains an incredible influence to players all over the world. The Joe Strummer Campfire guitar is inspired by the legendary campfires that he held at Glastonbury Festival and are now continued annually in the Strummerville area at the festival. Everyone was invited to join the party, with Strummer encouraging a loose assembly of people to his ācampfireā to bond by the rising flames until dawn. This small-body acoustic-electric guitar is the perfect companion for gatherings of any size and to continue Strummerās legacy of bringing people together through music. Boasting a solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides, the Campfire reflects Strummerās legendary aesthetic with its matte black finish, nickel hardware and star inlays. The Fender Custom Shop will also release Joe Strummer ā59 Esquire in April 2021. Details and specs will be revealed in the coming months. Available March 2021.
ā Jason Isbell Custom TelecasterĀ ($1,499.99 USD, Ā£1,249, ā¬1,439, $2,799 AUD, Ā„195,000 JPY) Instantly recognizable for his incisive lyrics, powerful voice and blistering guitar chops, Grammy-Award winning Jason Isbell has established himself firmly at the front of the Americana movement. The visually striking Jason Isbell Custom Telecaster features a Chocolate Sunburst whilst the Fender RoadWorn aging process gives it the authentic look and feel of a well-loved instrument. Meanwhile, the vintage-inspired mid-`60s āCā-shaped maple neck and 21-fret rosewood make for sparkling, fiery tones associated with his unique blend of traditional roots music and modern rock - a guitar that sounds and plays as good as it looks. The Telecaster is double-bound, a unique and premium feature at this price point. Available May 2021.
For more information:
Fender
The Ariel Posen Signature String Set from Stringjoy
Ideal for B Standard, Open C, and other lower tunings, this set offers exceptional tone and feel for players who want to explore new sonic territory while maintaining their guitar's unique voice.
Each string in this set is built with Stringjoyās trademark quality: wound at tension with high compression winds for maximum output, durability, and smooth playability. The result? Strings that hold up under pressure while delivering a natural, expressive voiceāperfect for hybrid playing and expressive slide work.
Ariel Posen Signature Set Specs:
ā¢ .014 ā .018p ā .026w ā .038 ā .050 ā .062
ā¢ Wound 3rd string
āIf you didnāt know these were 14-62 gauges, youād swear they were just 11s tuned down,ā said Ariel Posen. āThey feel like home and preserve the sound of the guitar, even in lower tunings. Thatās the biggest thingāit still sounds like guitar.ā
āWeāve spent ten years experimenting and testing together to find the right combination,ā said Scott Marquart, Stringjoy Founder & President. āThis release is more than just a new productāitās the culmination of a shared journey between friends and musicians. Arielās set is uniquely him, and I think players will love how it feels and responds.ā
Stringjoyās Ariel Posen signature string set carry a street price of $13.99. Learn more at at stringjoy.com.
Thereās nothing subtle about Billy Idol, so it tracks that thereād be nothing subtle about the guitars used onstage by his longtime guitarist, Steve Stevens. Famous for his guitar work with Idol and the Grammy-winning symphony of sustain āTop Gun Anthem,ā Stevens brought a brigade of eye-popping signature electrics and some choice other jewels out on the road with Idol this spring.
The tour touched down at Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville in May, and while Stevens was jetting into town, PGās John Bohlinger met up with tech and guitar builder Frank Falbo to learn the ins and outs of Stevensā rig.
Brought to you by DāAddario
Cherry Pie
This cherryburst is one of a score of single-cut Knaggs Steve Stevens signature models in Stevensā arsenal. He plays with heavier Tortex picks and uses Ernie Ball strings, usually .010ā.048s.
More, More, More (Sustain)
This Knaggs Steve Stevens Severn XF, complete with a Sustainiac pickup system, was designed to mimic the look of one of his old guitars, and the stage lights make this finish go insane. It comes out for three to four songs in any given set, including āRebel Yell.ā
Songs from the Sparkle Lounge
This Knaggs Steve Stevens, finished in silver sparkle, is outfitted with a killswitch, push-pull control knobs, and Fishman Fluence pickups. Falbo was on the R&D team that helped design the Fluences.
Other guitars backstage include a red sparkle Knaggs with PAFs, a Godin LGXT with piezo saddles and Seymour Duncan pickups that sends three signals (synth, electric, and piezo), a pair of piezo- and MIDI-equipped Godin nylon-string guitars, a dazzling GibsonĀ Les Paul with stock Gibson pickups, a Suhr T-style electric, and a Ciari Ascender for travel and dressing-room rehearsal.
Tube Heart, Digital Brains
Stevens runs through a pair of Friedman headsāa B100 and Steve Stevens SS100, plus a third backupāwith each panned hard to either the left or right. Both signals run through a Neve 8803 rack EQ into two RedSeven Amplification Amp Central Evo loadboxes, and through their impulse response programs to front of house. A Neural Quad Cortex is on hand as a backup and for fly dates.
Steve Stevensā Pedalboard
Stevensā pedal playground is masterminded by an RJM Mastermind GT, which lives on its own board alongside a Fractal FM3 MK II. He orchestrates most of the changes himself, but Falbo is ready to flip switches backstage in case Stevens is away from his board for a key moment.
The centre hub, built on a Tone Merchants board, carries a TC Electronic PolyTune2 Noir, Xotic Effects Super Sweet Booster, Vox wah, Ernie Ball volume pedal, Mission Engineering expression pedal, DigiTech Whammy Ricochet, Suhr Discovery, JHS Muffuletta, DigiTech Drop, ISP DECI-MATE, Walrus Voyager, Suhr Koji Comp, Zvex Super Ringtone, DryBell Vibe Machine, and Ammoon EX EQ7. An Ebtech Hum Eliminator, two Strymon Ojais, and a Strymon Zuma keep the wheels greased.
The board to the right carries a Boss RV-500, Fender Smolder Acoustic OD, Lehle Dual Expression, Boss GM-800, Empress Bass Compressor, Grace Design ALiX preamp, Fishman Aura, and a Peterson tuner. Utility boxes include an Ernie Ball Volt and a Radial J48.
