Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) today announces the launch of the Player II Modified — a bold expansion of its Player II series. Featuring select electric guitar and bass models enhanced with performance-driven upgrades, Player II Modified offers modern players refined tone, performance, and style straight out of the box. As an extension of the best-selling guitar series in Fender’s nearly 80-year history, Player II Modified builds on this legacy with expanded tonal versatility, elevated playability, and modern enhancements that meet the needs of a new generation of players.
Built to Be Reimagined
Since inception, Fender guitars and basses have been crafted with an inherent adaptability—designed to shape and be shaped by the artists who redefine music with them. Throughout the decades, musicians from every genre have transformed Fender instruments to suit their unique sound, making them a true canvas for creativity. The ethos of Fender is, in many ways, a history of modification—where each artist's personal touch, whether through altering pickups, adjusting necks, or reworking finishes, has shaped not just the instruments but the songs they are written with.
Performance-Driven Upgrades Straight From the Factory
"From the early days of players hot-rodding their Strat® and Tele® guitars to today’s musicians pushing sonic boundaries, Fender has always embraced the art of reinvention," said Justin Norvell, EVP of Product, Fender. "Leo Fender intentionally designed our instruments with modularity in mind—allowing them to evolve alongside the player and enabling more personalization than any other brand. Player II Modified carries that spirit forward, offering modern upgrades like our new Player II Modified noiseless pickups and locking tuners for rock-solid stability. It’s about delivering the most in-demand mods straight from the factory while continuing to push the envelope of innovation and support artists in shaping the future of music."
Player II Modified takes the best of the best from Player II Series and builds on it with new and improved performance-driven modifications, offering a refined playing experience straight out of the box.
Key features include:
●New Player II Modified pickups: Genuine Fender tone from the Player II Modified Humbucker and Player II Noiseless™ pickups.
●Upgraded hardware and electronics: From treble bleeds to brass block saddles, the most popular modifications for each model come standard.
●Rock-solid tuning stability: Locking tuners and tapered shaft tuners offer next-level reliability.
This spirit of reinvention is deeply embedded in Fender’s legacy, championed by trailblazing artists like Jimi Hendrix, who flipped his Stratocaster® upside down to redefine rock guitar, Kurt Cobain, who customized his Jaguar® for raw, grunge-driven power, and Thurston Moore, whose Jazzmaster® modifications fueled Sonic Youth’s experimental edge. Today, musicians continue this tradition—Chris Shiflett of Foo Fighters with his Signature Telecaster® Deluxe outfitted with noiseless P-90-style pickups, Julien Baker with her custom-modded American Vintage Thinline, and Brent Mason with his highly versatile ‘67 Telecaster®. Even bassists like Flea have reshaped their sound through modifications, such as the active circuitry in his Jazz Bass®.
In the Hands of IDLES
As part of the Player II Modified launch campaign, Fender has teamed up withIDLES, — a British band known for their explosive live performances and boundary-pushing take on rock—who are featured prominently in the campaign video. Their involvement in the campaign underscores how the Player II Modified series empowers modern players' need for flexibility, tonal range and sonic exploration, whether on stage or in the studio. Watch IDLES perform “Gift Horse” and see what they have to say about these souped up guitars and basses. “Every guitar that I’ve ever had, I’ve modified almost immediately,” said Mark Bowen, IDLES guitarist. “Modifications can definitely make a guitar more approachable,” added Lee Kiernan, IDLES guitarist. “Because everything is to your taste, and what it is you want it to do.”
Fender Mod Shop: A Global Tune-Up Experience
Like the world of automotive design, where customization and performance upgrades are part of the culture, Fender instruments have long been embraced as a canvas for creative expression. From paint colors inspired by classic cars to modding hardware and swapping pickups, musicians across decades and genres have made each instrument their own. Modification isn’t just part of the Fender story—it’s at the heart of it, fueling a legacy of innovation, individuality, and sonic evolution. Starting this April, Fender will bring the Mod Shop experience to players in key markets across London and Melbourne. In each city, Fender will transform a local auto shop into an immersive guitar garage —inviting musicians to get their instruments “tuned up” by a team of Fender mechanics. By night, the space will shift gears into a live venue, where English Teacher (UK) and Hot Machine (AUS) will take the stage with the new Player II Modified series, showcasing the upgraded guitars in action.
“IDLES is the kind of band that pushes boundaries every time they plug in," said Evan Jones, CMO Fender. "Their energy, on-stage presence, experimentation, and refusal to stay in one lane resonates with all of us here at Fender. The Player II Modified series is built for artists like them—musicians who want to evolve their sound, are looking to push boundaries, and make something uniquely their own. We're also excited to bring that spirit of modification & innovation of the Player II Modified Series to life with our upcoming Fender Mod Shop events in London and Melbourne in the coming months. With the Player II Modified series at its core, we're not just showcasing new gear; we're building on our commitment to continually give players & musicians at all levels the ability to find, adjust and perfect their sound.”
Player II Modified Stratocaster
The Player II Modified Stratocaster® is a classic guitar with the modern player in mind. Everything about the neck is designed for fast and fluid playability, from the Modern “C”-profile with silky satin urethane finish on the back to the comfy 9.5”-radius slab rosewood or 1-piece maple fingerboard with smooth rolled edges and 22 medium jumbo frets. The alder body provides classic Fender punch and is available in a variety of exciting new finishes. The Player II Noiseless™ pickups deliver classic Strat® chime and sparkle while eliminating unwanted noise and the push/pull switch on the 2nd tone control provides even more tonal flexibility by adding the neck pickup into switch positions 1 and 2. The 2-point tremolo, short post locking tuners, TUSQ® nut, and modern string tree all combine to keep tuning incredibly stable, while the wider travel of the chamfered tremolo block allows players to coax even more expressive, musical vibrato from their instrument. Maple Fingerboard offered in 3 Tone Sunburst, Sunshine Yellow and Harvest Green Metallic. Rosewood Fingerboard offered in Dusk, Electric Blue, and Olympic Pearl.
Player II Modified Stratocaster® HSS Floyd Rose®
The Player II Modified Stratocaster® HSS Floyd Rose® is a classic guitar with the modern player in mind. Everything about the neck is designed for fast and fluid playability, from the Modern“C”-profile with silky satin urethane finish on the back to the comfy 12”-radius slab rosewood fingerboard with smooth rolled edges and 22 medium jumbo frets. The alder body provides classic Fender punch and is available in a variety of exciting new finishes. The Player II Modified humbucker is articulate with plenty of output and the Noiseless™ pickups deliver classic Strat® chime and sparkle while eliminating unwanted noise. For additional tonal flexibility, the push/pull switch on the 2nd tone control splits the bridge humbucker for classic Strat® single-coil tones. The Floyd Rose® Special tremolo enables subtle-to-wild tremolo action while keeping the guitar perfectly in tune and ready for more. Offered in 3 Tone Sunburst, Dusk and Olympic Pearl.
Player II Modified Telecaster®
The Player II Modified Telecaster® is a classic guitar with the modern player in mind. Everything about the neck is designed for fast and fluid playability, from the Modern “C”-profile with silky satin urethane finish on the back to the comfy 9.5”-radius slab rosewood or 1-piece maple fingerboard with smooth rolled edges and 22 medium jumbo frets. The alder body provides classic Fender punch and is available in a variety of exciting new finishes. The Player II Noiseless™ pickups deliver classic Tele® twang and bite while eliminating unwanted noise and the push/pull switch on the tone control provides even more tonal flexibility by changing the pickup wiring from parallel to series for fatter tones. The 6-saddle bridge, short post locking tuners, TUSQ® nut, and modern string tree all combine to keep tuning incredibly stable for even the most demanding bends or roaring rock leads. Maple Fingerboard offered in Olympic Pearl, Electric Blue and Sunshine Yellow. Rosewood Fingerboard offered in 3 Tone Sunburst, Dusk and Harvest Green Metallic.
Player II Modified Active Precision Bass®
The Player II Modified Active Precision Bass® is a classic bass with the modern player in mind. Everything about the neck is designed for fast and fluid playability, from the Modern “C”-profile with silky satin urethane finish on the back to the comfy 9.5”-radius slab rosewood or 1-piece maple fingerboard with smooth rolled edges and 20 medium jumbo frets. The alder body provides classic Fender punch and is available in a variety of exciting new finishes. The Player II Noiseless™ PJ pickups deliver classic Fender thump and growl while eliminating unwanted noise and the all-new active preamp with passive tone control and improved EQ section gives players the perfect tool to dial in their favorite tones. The 4-saddle HiMass™ bridge, tapered-shaft tuners, and TUSQ® nut all combine to keep tuning incredibly stable for even the most demanding performances. Maple Fingerboard offered in 3 Tone Sunburst, Dusk and Sunshine Yellow. Rosewood Fingerboard offered in Olympic Pearl and Harvest Green Metallic.
Player II Modified Active Jazz Bass®
The Player II Modified Active Jazz Bass® is a classic bass with the modern player in mind. Everything about the neck is designed for fast and fluid playability, from the Modern “C”-profile with silky satin urethane finish on the back to the comfy 9.5”-radius slab rosewood or 1-piece maple fingerboard with smooth rolled edges and20 medium jumbo frets. The alder body provides classic Fender punch and is available in a variety of exciting new finishes. The Player II Noiseless™ pickups deliver classic Jazz Bass® growl while eliminating unwanted noise while the all-new active preamp with passive tone control and EQ section gives players the perfect tool to dial in their favorite tones. The 4-saddle HiMass™ bridge, tapered-shaft tuners, and TUSQ® nut all combine to keep tuning incredibly stable for even the most demanding performances. Maple Fingerboard offered in 3 Tone Sunburst, Olympic Pearl and Electric Blue. Rosewood Fingerboard offered in Dusk, and Harvest Green Metallic.
Player II Modified Active Jazz Bass® V
The Player II Modified Active Jazz Bass® V is a classic bass with the modern player in mind. Everything about the neck is designed for fast and fluid playability, from the Modern “C”-profile with silky satin urethane finish on the back to the comfy 9.5”-radius slab rosewood or 1-piece maple fingerboard with smooth rolled edges and20 medium jumbo frets. The alder body provides classic Fender punch and is available in a variety of exciting new finishes. The Player II Noiseless™ pickups deliver classic Jazz Bass® growl while eliminating unwanted noise while the all-new active preamp with passive tone control and EQ section gives players the perfect tool to dial in their favorite tones. The 5-saddle HiMass™ bridge, tapered-shaft tuners, and TUSQ® nut all combine to keep tuning incredibly stable for even the most demanding performances. Maple Fingerboard offered in Dusk and Olympic Pearl. Rosewood Fingerboard offered in 3 Tone Sunburst and Electric Blue.
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Last August, metalcore giants Poison the Well gave the world a gift: They announced they were working on their first studio album in 15 years. They unleashed the first taste, single “Trembling Level,” back in January, and set off on a spring North American tour during which they played their debut record, The Opposite of December… A Season of Separation, in full every night.
PG’s Perry Bean caught up with guitarists Ryan Primack and Vadim Taver, and bassist Noah Harmon, ahead of the band’s show at Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl for this new Rig Rundown.
Brought to you by D’Addario.Not-So-Quiet As a Mouse
Primack started his playing career on Telecasters, then switched to Les Pauls, but when his prized LPs were stolen, he jumped back to Teles, and now owns nine of them.
His No. 1 is this white one (left). Seymour Duncan made him a JB Model pickup in a single-coil size for the bridge position, while the neck is a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound Staggered. He ripped out all the electronics, added a Gibson-style toggle switch, flipped the control plate orientation thanks to an obsession with Danny Gatton, and included just one steel knob to control tone. Primack also installed string trees with foam to control extra noise.
This one has Ernie Ball Papa Het’s Hardwired strings, .011–.050.
Here, Kitty, Kitty
Primack runs both a PRS Archon and a Bad Cat Lynx at the same time, covering both 6L6 and EL34 territories. The Lynx goes into a Friedman 4x12 cab that’s been rebadged in honor of its nickname, “Donkey,” while the Archon, which is like a “refined 5150,” runs through an Orange 4x12.
Ryan Primack’s Pedalboard
Primack’s board sports a Saturnworks True Bypass Multi Looper, plus two Saturnworks boost pedals. The rest includes a Boss TU-3w, DOD Bifet Boost 410, Caroline Electronics Hawaiian Pizza, Fortin ZUUL +, MXR Phase 100, JHS Series 3 Tremolo, Boss DM-2w, DOD Rubberneck, MXR Carbon Copy Deluxe, Walrus Slo, and SolidGoldFX Surf Rider III.
Taver’s Teles
Vadim Taver’s go-to is this cherryburst Fender Telecaster, which he scored in the early 2000s and has been upgraded to Seymour Duncan pickups on Primack’s recommendation. His white Balaguer T-style has been treated to the same upgrade. The Balaguer is tuned to drop C, and the Fender stays in D standard. Both have D’Addario strings, with a slightly heavier gauge on the Balaguer.
Dual-Channel Chugger
Taver loves his 2-channel Orange Rockerverb 100s, one of which lives in a case made right in Nashville.
Vadim Taver’s Pedalboard
Taver’s board includes an MXR Joshua, MXR Carbon Copy Deluxe, Empress Tremolo, Walrus ARP-87, Old Blood Noise Endeavors Reflector, MXR Phase 90, Boss CE-2w, and Sonic Research Turbo Tuner ST-200, all powered by a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus.
Big Duff
Harmon’s favorite these days is this Fender Duff McKagan Deluxe Precision Bass, which he’s outfitted with a Leo Quan Badass bridge. His backup is a Mexico-made Fender Classic Series ’70s Jazz Bass. This one also sports Primack-picked pickups.
Rental Rockers
Harmon rented this Orange AD200B MK III head, which runs through a 1x15 cab on top and a 4x10 on the bottom.
Noah Harmon’s Pedalboard
Harmon’s board carries a Boss TU-2, Boss ODB-3, MXR Dyna Comp, Darkglass Electronics Vintage Ultra, and a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus. His signal from the Vintage Ultra runs right to the front-of-house, and Harmon estimates that that signal accounts for about half of what people hear on any given night.
