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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The day before they played the coveted Blue Room at Third Man Records in Nashville, the Washington, D.C.-based garage-punk duo Teen Mortgage released their debut record, Devil Ultrasonic Dream. Not a bad couple of days for a young band.
PG’s Chris Kies caught up with guitarist and vocalist James Guile at the Blue Room to find out how he builds the band’s bombastic guitar attack.
Brought to you by D’Addario.
Devilish Dunable
Guile has been known to use Telecasters and Gretsches in the past, but this time out he’s sticking with this Dunable Cyclops DE, courtesy of Gwarsenio Hall—aka Jordan Olds of metal-themed comedy talk show Two Minutes to Late Night. Guile digs the Dunable’s lightness on his shoulders, and its balance of high and low frequencies.
Storm Warning
What does Guile like about this Squier Cyclone? Simple: its color. This one is also nice and easy on the back, and Guile picked it up from Atomic Music in Beltsville, Maryland.
Crushing It
Guile also scooped this Music Man 410-HD from Atomic, which he got just for this tour for a pretty sweet deal. It runs alongside an Orange Crush Bass 100 to rumble out the low end.
James Guile’s Pedalboard
The Electro-Harmonix Micro POG and Hiwatt Filter Fuzz MkII run to the Orange, while everything else—a DigiTech Whammy, Pro Co Lil’ RAT, and Death by Audio Echo Dream 2—runs to the Music Man. A TC Helicon Mic Mechanic is on board for vocal assistance, and a TC Electronic PolyTune 3, Morley ABY, and Voodoo Labs Pedal Power 3 Plus keep the ship afloat.
Darkglass Anagram Multi-effects Bass Workstation
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Learn more at Darkglass.com
Of course, PG’s John Bohlinger and our video team of Chris Kies and Perry Bean were at the unveiling, and Bohlinger and Paisley went deep into the new instrument’s back story. As Paisley tells it, after a sheet of the rarely used blue paisley paper that Fender briefly employed for a guitar finish in 1968 turned up in an old ammo box from the Vietnam era, which sounds like a saga in itself, it fell into the hands of guitar historian Alan Cross, who brought it to Paisley’s attention.
Mother and child reunion: The original, at left, and the Custom Shop-built recreation of Paisley’s ’67 Tele. It’s an estimable instrument and carries a serious price tag: $7,000.
Fender briefly produced both red and blue paisley instruments to capture the vibe of the Summer of Love. Compared to the red, which faded to the now famed Fender “pink paisley” hue, the original blue-paisley-finish models are quite rare. Hence the “lost,” in Lost Paisley. Cross took the paper to Paisley, who almost immediately got to work, applying it to the ’67 Tele he had modded for a G-bender by Joe Glaser shortly after Paisley arrived in Nashville in the mid-1990s.
“Once I put the original paper on this guy right here,“ he said, referring to his original instrument, “this became my favorite guitar.” As his affinity for the look and feel of the instrument continued to grow, Paisley figured he’d take it to Fender’s Custom Shop, which had earlier developed his pink paisley signature (based on his ‘68) and his road-worn Tele models.
A close-up look at the finish, which has a nearly reflective quality.
The Lost Paisley model has a lightweight body, crafted from a unique combination of alder, paulownia, and spruce. The finish is relic’d, to match Paisley’s axe, with a colorful, metallic burst. It has a custom ’60s oval C-shape maple neck with a round-laminated maple fretboard. Under the hood, the Seymour Duncan Custom Shop Hand-Wound Lost Paisley pickups provide warmth, clarity, and tonal balance, which was audible at the unveiling, and the Glaser “G” Bender system allows for fluid, pedal-steel-like bends. In addition to its late-’60s appointments, the instrument is bundled with custom accessories, including a vintage-style case, period-correct Fender strap, and certificate of authenticity. At one point while he played, Paisley had to check to be sure he was picking the Custom Shop model rather than his original. “I literally just picked this guitar up for the first time, and it feels just like I’m playing my original,” he noted.
The hardest aspect of reverse engineering the Lost Telecast was recreating the paper for the finish. “Now, between [Nashville tech to the stars] Joe Glaser and [noted guitar collector and dealer, and former Paisley guitar tech] Zac Childs, we know more about adhesive paper than I ever went down that ramp before. It’s literally aluminum foil with a paper backing, and then there's an embossed paisley pattern on it. Getting the color right maybe was the hardest thing. We would change one number in the color code for one of the shades of this and it would look completely wrong.
When he finished his ’67 with the blue paisley paper from the ammo case, “I did the bursting myself to make it look like I thought it should. And so when we did this new version, I’m like, we gotta make sure that this plastic fades and oxidizes or whatever it is. I just love the way these colors work together. In the end, it’s showbiz. What looks cool on stage? And every from the size of the burst and the way that the paint interacts and the way that it fades and the relic’ing of the paper and the cracks all play into that. Then, it’s all about feel, and this guitar looks and plays great. The Custom Shop nailed it!”
