Premier Guitar features affiliate links to help support our content. We may earn a commission on any affiliated purchases.

Fender Launches the JV Modified Series

Fender Launches the JV Modified Series

A new line taking cues from the "Japanese Vintage" re-issues from the early '80s that combines vintage aesthetics and modern playability.


Fender reveals a Spring/Summer 2022 product lineup catering to eager new players, as well as collectors and tone aficionados. The JV Modified Series combines classic aesthetics with modern playability to suit the needs of today’s guitarist. For the player seeking classic Fender instruments with a twist, the JV Modified Series delivers a unique combination of vintage Fender with modern playability.

JV Modified '50s Stratocaster HSS

The ‘50s Stratocaster HSS has a resonant basswood body and features a pair of vintage-voiced single-coil pickups in the neck and middle positions and a powerful humbucking pickup in the bridge position. A push-pull pot on Tone 2 splits the humbucking pickup for sparkling single-coil sounds, making this Strat extremely versatile. The soft “V”-shaped maple neck has a silky-smooth satin finish and the 9.5” radius maple fingerboard and medium jumbo frets provide effortless playability. $1,329.99 USD.

JV Modified '60s Stratocaster

The ’60s Stratocaster has a resonant basswood body and is loaded with a set of three touch-sensitive vintage-style single-coil pickups for unmistakable Fender tone. A push-pull pot on Tone 2 adds the neck pickup for even more tonal possibilities. The Soft “V”-shaped maple neck has a silky-smooth satin finish and the 9.5” radius maple fingerboard and medium jumbo frets provide effortless playability. $1,299.99 USD.

JV Modified '60s Custom Telecaster

The ’60s Custom Telecaster has a resonant basswood body and is double bound for a touch of elegance. Its dual single-coil pickups are voiced to deliver classic Tele tone. A 4-way switch allows players to quickly select each pickup individually or both pickups in either series or parallel wiring. A push-pull pot on the tone control allows players to flip the pickups in and out of phase in switch positions 2 and 4. The soft “V”-shaped maple neck has a silky-smooth satin finish and plays effortlessly thanks to the 9.5” radius maple fingerboard and medium jumbo frets. $1,349.99 USD.

JV Modified '50s Telecaster

The ‘50s Telecaster is equipped with a resonant basswood body and dual single-coil pickups voiced to replicate classic Tele tone. A 4-way switch allows players to quickly select each pickup individually or both pickups in either series or parallel wiring. A push-pull pot on the tone control allows players to flip the pickups in and out of phase in switch positions 2 and 4. The soft “V”-shaped maple neck has a silky-smooth satin finish and plays effortlessly thanks to the 9.5” radius maple fingerboard and medium jumbo frets. $1,299.99 USD.

Exploring the JV Modified Series | Fender

Available March 2022. More info: www.fender.com.


The perennial appeal of one of Gibson’s most accessible Les Pauls is stoked anew in this feature-rich version.

Lots of nice vintage touches and features that evoke the upmarket Les Paul Standard at a fraction of the price. Coil-splitting capability.

A thicker neck profile would be a cool option and distinguishing feature.

$1,599

Gibson Les Paul Studio
gibson.com

4.5
4
5
4.5

Effectively a no-frills version of theLes Paul Standard, the Les Paul Studio has been a fixture of Gibson product rosters since 1983, which says something about the enduring, and robust, appeal for affordable alternatives to the iconic original. The notion behind the original Les Paul Studio was that it didn’t matter how a guitar looked when you were using it in the studio. Who cares about a flamed top, binding, inlays, and other deluxe cosmetics in a session as long as it sounds and feels good?

Read MoreShow less

Listen to the new track from Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, and Steve Vai's G3 Reunion Live.

Read MoreShow less

After decades of 250 road dates a year, Tab Benoit has earned a reputation for high-energy performances at clubs and festivals around the world.

Photo by Brad Elligood

After a 14-year break in making solo recordings, the Louisiana guitar hero returns to the bayou and re-emerges with a new album, the rock, soul, and Cajun-flavoredI Hear Thunder.

The words “honesty” and “authenticity” recur often during conversation with Tab Benoit, the Houma, Louisiana-born blues vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter. They are the driving factors in the projects he chooses, and in his playing, singing, and compositions. Despite being acclaimed as a blues-guitar hero since his ’80s days as a teen prodigy playing at Tabby Thomas’ legendary, downhome Blues Box club in Baton Rouge, Benoit shuns the notion of stardom. Indeed, one might also add simplicity and consistency as other qualities he values, reflected in the roughly 250 shows a year he’s performed with his hard-driving trio for over two decades, except for the Covid shutdown.

Read MoreShow less

David Gilmour releases a special live version of the "The Piper's Call" from his solo album Luck and Strange.

Read MoreShow less