If you've been paying attention, you've noticed Fender was busy at last week's 2012 Winter NAMM show in Anaheim, California, introducing line after line of new gear.
Fender Acoustics is continuing the trend by unveiling some new models -- and some improvements for 2012. The new models include a limited-edition, U.S.-made guitar from the Fender acclaimed Custom Shop, plus three new signature models. Take a look below.
From Fender:
Limited to 150 instruments, the all-new U.S.A. Select Kingman C dreadnought offers a depth of resonant tone and elegant design distinguished by a Custom Shop Fiesta Red gloss finish, aged white body binding, and vintage-style appointments. Premium features include a solid Engelmann spruce top with forward-shifting scalloped X bracing and solid mahogany back and sides; vintage C-shaped maple neck with rolled edges, dual-action truss rod and Stratocaster headstock shape; 9”-radius rosewood fingerboard with bone nut and 20 frets; and Fishman® Matrix Infinity electronics for pristine sound.
The popular California series welcomes two new, distinctive models Sonoran SCE Thinline and Redondo CE. The Sonoran SCE Thinline features a sleek, “tight” dreadnought body 3” deep, and a Fishman Isys pickup system with onboard tuner. Other features include a solid spruce top with scalloped X bracing for richly resonant tone, mahogany back and sides, three-ply gold pickguard, C-shaped bolt-on maple Stratocaster neck, 20-fret rosewood fingerboard with bone nut, and a Fender “Viking” rosewood bridge.
The all-new Redondo CE returns more vibrant than ever since its debut in 1968. Today’s dreadnought Redondo rocks great acoustic sound and evokes the original late-’60 model with features including the Stratocaster headstock shape, three-ply gold pickguard and vintage-style Fender “Viking” bridge. Other features include a “tight” dreadnought cutaway body shape, spruce top with scalloped X bracing and mahogany back and sides, body and neck binding, 20-fret rosewood fingerboard, and Fishman Isys III pickup system with active onboard preamp and tuner.
New in the artist signature models are the Alkaline Trio Malibu, the Duane Peters Sonoran SCE ’61, and the Robert Schmidt Electric Signature Mandolin.
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The Alkaline Trio Malibu takes the classic ’60s-era sun-and-fun Malibu folk-style acoustic, and dresses it up with a graceful heart-shaped rosette designed by the band, as seen on the cover of 2011 acoustic album Damnesia. Features include a resonant all-mahogany body with the aforementioned AT-designed heart-shaped rosette, scalloped X bracing, C-shaped maple Stratocaster neck with a 20-fret rosewood fingerboard, body and neck binding, and rosewood bridge with synthetic bone compensated saddle.
Designed exclusively by Flogging Molly’s mandolin player Robert Schmidt, the Robert Schmidt Electric Mandolin is Fender’s first-ever signature mandolin, and makes for the ultimate rock mandolin player’s dream. Inspired by the FM62 E Fender Mandolin, the signature Robert Schmidt Electric Mandolin includes a dark walnut stain spruce top, carved maple back and sides, rosewood fingerboard, bronze cast chrome tailpiece, chrome dome style volume knob, special design Piezo pickup and ebony bridge.
Honoring legendary old-school skateboard master and lead singer of Orange County punk outfit U.S. Bombs, Duane “Master of Disaster” Peters, is the limited edition Duane Peters Sonoran SCE ’61. With only 500 models released worldwide, this skate tough model is decked in a custom graphic finish featuring skulls and red and black stripes. Features include a “tight” dreadnought cutaway body shape, solid spruce top with scalloped X bracing, mahogany back and sides, C-shaped maple neck with dual-action truss rod and Stratocaster headstock shape, 20-fret rosewood fingerboard with bone nut, vintage-style Fender “Viking” bridge with bone saddle, and Fishman Isys III pickup system with active onboard preamp and tuner.
The new models also welcome the FR-55 Hawaiian Resonator, and the new FA-100 Fender Acoustic Pack. The new FR-55 Hawaiian Resonator produces the lilting sounds and evokes the lush trade winds atmosphere of the island paradise. Perfect for slide or standard acoustic playing, it features a striking bell brass nickel-plated dreadnought body beautifully etched with scenes of South Seas splendor, with swaying palms, outrigger canoes and even volcano caught in mid-eruption. Other features include a continental Eastern European hand-spun cone, Fender “F” sound holes, mahogany neck with satin finish and gold Fender headstock logo, 19-fret rosewood fingerboard with 16” radius, ebony bridge with hard maple top, bell brass nickel-plated tailpiece and chrome hardware.
Models receiving significant cosmetic and hardware upgrades are select members of the California series, the Sonoran SCE, Kingman SCE, Malibu CE, Sonoran S, Villager 12 String, and Kingman Bass SCE.
For more information, and to locate a dealer near you, visit fender.com.
Damian is Editor-in-Chief of Guitar World magazine. In past lives, he was GW’s managing editor and online managing editor. He's written liner notes for major-label releases, including Stevie Ray Vaughan's 'The Complete Epic Recordings Collection' (Sony Legacy) and has interviewed everyone from Yngwie Malmsteen to Kevin Bacon (with a few memorable Eric Clapton chats thrown into the mix). Damian, a former member of Brooklyn's The Gas House Gorillas, was the sole guitarist in Mister Neutron, a trio that toured the U.S. and released three albums. He now plays in two NYC-area bands.
