Fender debuts head-turning Sandblasted Strat and Tele
Limited-edition American Performer models boast custom-finished ash bodies
We’ve seen sandblasted finishes from the likes of Jackson, ESP and PRS, and now Fender has got in on the act with the launch of limited-edition American Performer Strat and Tele electric guitars.
Both models feature transparent-finished ash bodies, which are then sandblasted to texture the surface grain.
The Strat is only available in a Natural finish, but the Tele comes in a choice of Natural, Daphne Blue and Surf Green.
Otherwise, they’re spec’d as per Fender’s regular American Performer guitars, with Yosemite pickups, Greasebucket tone controls, fast-playing C-shaped maple necks and rosewood fingerboards.
The Strat also offers the ability to add the neck pickup to any position by pulling on the push/pull neck/middle tone knob.
Both models are available exclusively at Sweetwater, starting at $1,149. And given these guitars feature ash bodies - a tonewood Fender intends to phase out over the coming months - they aren’t likely to hang around for long.
Fender Sandblasted Strat & Tele: from $1,149 at Sweetwater
These special-run American Performer models boast distinct, individual finishes and ash bodies, and are available for a limited time only at Sweetwater.
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Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and over a decade's experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.
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