To celebrate the launch of Player II Modified series of guitars and the rich history of guitar modification, yesterday Fender hosted Mod Shop: Modified in Melbourne, a one-night-only VIP showcase event at the fabulous SA1NT facility in Fitzroy, a warehouse which is part motorcycle repair/sales shop, clothing brand and even gymnasium, the kind of cool place you’d only find in Fitzroy.
The evening featured a Modified Live exhibit featuring on-site guitar works with famed industry techs Michael Harron (Harron Custom Guitars) and Waricke Newman (Tone Revival Engineering), plus a VIP cocktail event followed, featuring live music from Melbourne’s own Hot Machine! (Australian Musician will bring you interviews with Michael Harron, Warwick Newman and the Hot Machine band members very soon.) In addition to media guests, Artists, Guitar Techs, Fender Dealers, and competition Winners were in attendance.
Check out our highlights reel. Full interviews with Warwicke Newman, Michael Harron and Hot Machine to be posted soon
HOT MACHINE
Hot Machine, fiery 5-piece all-girl rockers from Melbourne, arrived on the scene in 2023, launching their debut single “She’s on the Money” while rocking stages all over Australia with their high energy and heavy, classic rock sound. The five-piece powerhouse have since jumped on lineups with some of Australia’s best including Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, The Southern River Band, Kingswood and Beans. Read more about them HERE.
MICHAEL HARRON (HARRON CUSTOM GUITARS)
Harron Custom Guitars made its entry into the music industry when Michael Harron began repairing and servicing electric and acoustic guitars professionally in April 2013. Michael has worked on guitars for Northlane, Void of Vision, Alpha Wolf, and many more. Read more about Michael Harron HERE.
WARWICKE NEWMAN (TONE REVIVAL ENGINEERING)
Tone Revival Engineering is a famed Custom Audio, Electronic and Metal engineering and fabricator for the Australian Music Industry. The company is known as a is a melting pot where old school engineering meets Rock’n’Roll. Wariwcke has worked on guitars and amps for a suite of Australian legacy artists such as Mark Lizotte, Jimi Hocking, Brett Garsard and many more. Read more about Warwicke Newman HERE.
FENDER’S PLAYER II LINE EXPANDS WITH HOT-RODDED MODIFIED MODELS, SETTING NEW STANDARD FOR ARTIST EXPRESSION
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) recently announced 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®.
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.
For technical specs, additional information on new Fender products, and to find a retail partner near you, visit www.fender.com. Join the conversation on social media by following @Fender.
