Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) today released the all-new Shawn Mendes Foundation Musicmaster™, a collaboration between The Foundation and Fender, which features fan-inspired art and classic Fender tone. Fender is a proud supporter of The Shawn Mendes Foundation®, which seeks to inspire Shawn’s audience, the youth generation of today—to learn about those causes that they are passionate about, and help empower them to use the voice they have to bring change to the world by taking action and giving back. As part of its ongoing mission, the Foundation provides resources and support to amplify the voices, messages, and platforms of young leaders driving positive change. The Signature Musicmaster™ features specs including a Tex-Mex™ Single-Coil Strat®, a Player Series humbucking pickup, medium jumbo frets and a custom neckplate adorned with his Foundation’s “Solar Burst” icon and Shawn’s signature. Now, fans around the world can play their very own Shawn Mendes guitar while learning songs like “Stitches” on Fender Play, the complete learning app for guitar, bass and ukulele.
“I am so excited to release this guitar collaboration between Fender and The Shawn Mendes Foundation,” says Shawn. “I hope it inspires some of my fans to pick up and learn guitar for the first time, and give back while doing so.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Shawn Mendes to the Fender Artist Signature family and to bring his guitar vision of this ‘60s classic to life. With custom specs like a unique single/hum pickup configuration including a Tex-Mex™ Single-Coil Strat® pickup and medium jumbo frets, the Shawn Mendes Foundation Musicmaster™ is a special guitar where Shawn also pays homage to his followers with fan-inspired artwork on the body,” said Justin Norvell, EVP Fender Products. “In addition, Fender is proud to contribute to the Shawn Mendes Foundation to empower today’s youth. Collaborations like this continue to motivate us as a brand to encourage the next generation of guitar players to pick up and start their musical journey.”
Originally introduced into Fender’s history in 1965, the solid body Musicmaster™, envisioned for beginner players, has been a quintessential entry for many guitarists. Mendes himself began his musical journey at the age of 13, picking up an old classical guitar from his father and learning through YouTube tutorials, never giving up and, at times, practising till his fingers bled. From there Mendes was inspired to pick up his first electric guitar, a black Fender Telecaster®, at the age of 14 after hearing the likes of legends and still his current musical influences, such as David Bowie and Bruce Springsteen. He wanted to bring this same inspiration to his fans and anyone ready to embark on their musical journey with his very own signature model emulating his own guitar playing specifications that have created his tone today. The Shawn Mendes Foundation Musicmaster™, adorned with striking floral design art recreated by one of his fans, is a highly personal take on the popular ‘60s short-scale model, featuring an alder body, “C”-shaped maple neck with 9.5” radius, 22 medium jumbo frets, 3-position toggle, 6-saddle string through body Strat® hardtail with bent steel saddles and a unique single/hum pickup configuration including Tex-Mex™ Single-Coil Strat® (Bridge) and Player Series Humbucking (Neck) pickups, providing a wide range of Fender tones.
In true tradition, the Fender’s Artist Signature Series honors iconic musicians through product progression and storytelling, creating instruments inspired by the unique specifications of the world’s greatest guitarists and bassists. Fender discussed The Shawn Mendes Foundation Musicmaster™ specs and all details, in an episode of Fender’s serialised social video series, Fender Demos (See below). Fender Demos is an educational video series focused on providing a deep dive into Fender’s newest products. The series focuses on showcasing not only the key features and benefits but also the sonic quality of Fender’s instruments, amplifiers and pedals. In addition to product demos, the series also provides valuable beginner, intermediate and advanced tone tips, set-up and maintenance guides and insights to getting the most out of your Fender gear.
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For information about The Shawn Mendes Foundation, including how to donate, please visit ShawnMendesFoundation.org.