Three new flexible, combination gain machines offer a slate of overdrive, distortion, and fuzz sounds from rambunctious to raging.
Fender announces the launch of My Bloody Valentine frontman, Kevin Shield’s, signature pedal, the limited-edition Fender Shields Blender - Fender’s first-ever signature fuzz pedal.
“I really enjoyed the experience,” said Kevin Shields. “I've been using it a lot recently in the studio, it's been great, I'm looking forward to hearing how other people use it It's kind of pretty extreme but also very interesting when it's set up in a subtle way.”
The new Shields Blender pedal is a two-channel beast featuring a hand-copied version of the original Blender circuit (of which Shields is a longtime user and fan) in channel one and a powerful octave blender in channel two. It also features a foot-switchable, reactive voltage sag circuit controlled by picking dynamics built to emulate a tube amp pushed to its limit. For those looking to get the lo-fi/hi-fi sound found on some of the band’s most iconic records like Loveless and m b v, explore the Shields Blender. This special edition pedal is final assembled in the USA and comes accompanied with a limited print art box, a limited print hand-signed collector’s booklet telling the story of how this amazing collaboration came to be, and a plaque bearing Shield’s signature.
“It is an absolute honor to collaborate with the legendary Kevin Shields on Fender's inaugural signature fuzz pedal. Kevin's unparalleled musicianship and visionary approach to guitar tones have redefined the boundaries of sonic exploration,” said Stan Cotey, Vice President of R&D at FMIC. “His creative genius and passion for pushing the limits perfectly align with Fender's commitment to innovation and delivering exceptional musical experiences. Together, we embark on an extraordinary journey, crafting a pedal that captures the essence of Kevin's groundbreaking sound with vintage-inspired fuzz, octave-up, and sub-octave options, combined with a truly unique sag circuit to harness controlled chaos like no other fuzz pedal - the most revolutionary fuzz design that we have ever developed, and specifically for Kevin’s musical vision.”
Featured Specs Include:
- Designed around a classic: Designed around Kevin Shield’s original Fender Blender circuit, with his added tweaks, the Fender Shields Blender adds an octave-up push button to toggle the original octave-up fuzz voice on and off, unlocking all-new vintage fuzz tones.
- Two foot-switchable channels: The Octave Footswitch toggles between two channels of fuzz. Channel One blends the fuzz voice with the original clean signal. Channel two removes the clean signal and instead blends the fuzz with a monophonic sub-octave fuzz.
- Blendable fuzz: Use the Volume and Blend knobs to set the right balance of clean and fuzz signals to create unique crisp tones, then use the Fuzz and Octave knobs to craft the right mix of dual, or triple, octave fuzz.
- Reactive sag circuit: The revolutionary sag circuit uses dynamic sensing circuitry to create imploding fuzz tones. By starving the transistors of power relative to the picking intensity used by the player, you can harness controlled chaos like no other fuzz.
- Vintage style, modern appointments: Just like its predecessor, the Fender Shields Blender sports an angled, brushed aluminum chassis with vinyl appointments, while new additions like LED indicators and a 9V DC power jack provide modern convenience.
- Performance-ready footswitches: An unprecedented four footswitches provide a wealth of fuzz tone and effects on tap, whether performing on stage in front of millions or recording in your home.
In true tradition, the Fender Artist Signature Series honors iconic musicians through product progression and storytelling, creating instruments and gear inspired by the unique specifications of the world’s greatest guitarists and bassists.
The Limited Edition Fender® Shields Blender signature pedal is available for purchase on Fender.com as well as Reverb in the United States and Andertons in Europe. Over the years, Reverb has helped dozens of artists get their music gear into the hands of fans, including Travis Barker of Blink-182, Green Day, and more. The marketplace is also home to exclusive gear from brands such as Fender, Ludwig, and more.
For more information, please visit fender.com.
One of contemporary music’s most influential producers, songwriters, and guitarists gets his own signature Strat—with a built-in fuzz surprise.
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation(FMIC) today announces the launch of the Steve Lacy “People Pleaser” Stratocaster, a collaboration with California-born-and-raised Grammy-winning artist, guitarist, songwriter, and producer Steve Lacy. This Signature Stratocaster guitar is not only an homage to a player whose guitar-playing style is as technically proficient as it is emotionally evocative, but a celebration of Lacy’s indelible impact on culture at large. Named for his trailblazing reputation, crowd-pleasing sounds, and stage looks, the “People Pleaser” Stratocaster showcases Lacy’s evolution from a hungry musician into a chart-topping artist and guitarist.
Rising to fame in 2015 as part of the alternative R&B and soul band THE INTERNET, the singer/songwriter, guitarist, and producer has established himself as one of the music industry’s foremost innovators–blurring genre lines while keeping a keen focus on expressive musicianship. Since his earliest days, Lacy has collaborated with notable artists such as Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Solange, and Vampire Weekend, and has made a name for himself in the couture world when he walked the runway for high-end fashion houses including Louis Vuitton and Gucci. Lacy’s first chart-topping solo hit, “Bad Habit,” was released in 2022 as the lead single from his Grammy-winning second studio album Gemini Rights. Now, marking the next milestone of his career, Lacy’s signature Fender Stratocaster combines his stylish swagger and undeniable musicality, celebrating a career built on subverting expectations and inspiring a new generation to challenge conformity and establish a sonic palette entirely their own.
“This guitar means so much to me. It’s a full-circle moment. My first guitar was a Squier Strat. It was the box set that came with an amp, case, quarter inch-the whole 9. Now I have my very own FenderStratocaster guitar,” said Steve Lacy. “The People Pleaser Strat, in a nutshell, is my dream guitar as a kid when I first started playing and my dream guitar as the guitarist I am today. An ode to the old classic design that Fender is known for with all the new specs that make a guitar feel like home. I hope everyone gets to experience the feeling of this guitar. I’m excited to see what people make with it.“
The “People Pleaser” Stratocaster is designed with a keen focus on innovation and disruption. Lacy’s playing is rooted in robust melody and razor-sharp technicality, but his chord changes and lead playing never conform to any tropes or norms. Thanks to the People Pleaser’s broad tonal range and clear, crisp sound, guitarists everywhere can tap into that same boundless creative space that has made Lacy the eminent artist he is today. The soul of the instrument is its magical combination of Player Plus Noiseless pickups and onboard custom-voiced Fuzz circuit, which can create classic dirty tones ranging from overdrive to all-out fuzz. Raw and gritty with heavy distortion and rich harmonics, the custom-voiced Steve Lacy Chaos Fuzz circuit is both aggressive and expressive with sparking crystal-clear high ends, throaty mids, and taut deep lows. Whether you are seeking to emulate Lacy’s warm, oaky timbres and smooth chords or conjure your own personal chaos with the expressive Fuzz circuit, The Steve Lacy “People Pleaser” Stratocaster keeps your guitar at the forefront of the music-making process.
Finished in a brand-new “Chaos Burst” finish that Steve dreamed up, the unique colorway is an embodiment of the guitarist’s extraordinary tones. Modeled after Steve’s favorite vintage Fender®guitars, the “People Pleaser” Stratocaster®features hallmark Fender design elements from its alder body and synchronized-tremolo to capture the ineffable magic of a well-worn instrument, though it’s also loaded with modernized features players seek to create their own singular sound. Giving the instrument a distinctly personal feel, the custom neck plate is stamped with Steve’s original artwork and the backplate has a unique blue and green checkered pattern, which ties the vibrant model together. Finally, a custom dice inlay provides a subtle, visual motif to denote Steve’s signature touch. Ahead of its official debut, eagle-eyed fans even caught a glimpse of the signature guitar during his recent SNL and Grammys performances, as well as on stage at his latest tour.
Learn more here.