Fender recently announced a slate of new products for the second half of 2021 via its latest online meeting experience for global dealers. The introductions come as a means to support a growing cohort of pandemic players, songwriters, creators on social media, beginners and, of course, loyal professional musicians while continuing to push the boundaries of innovation. New additions include products across categories – from acoustics, Artist Signature Series electrics and amplifiers to Squier® guitars, pedals and accessories. Fender dealers can access these products via a private interactive portal to explore executive and product video, as well as other visuals via an easy-to-follow user interface.
“As we begin the transition back to openings and look ahead to a music-filled fall and holiday season, we’re doing everything we can to provide dealers with products that will keep both new pandemic players and avid guitarists strumming throughout 2021 and beyond,” said Tammy Van Donk, EVP Sales, Americas and EMEA at Fender. “Our dealers have gravitated to our immersive, online dealer experience in the past year and we’re proud to see how the platform has grown and connected the network. Supporting our dealers is our number one priority.”
“The needs of today’s creators and guitar players are continually evolving, especially with the rise of home recordings and as new players boom from the pandemic,” added Justin Norvell, Executive Vice President, Product at Fender. “To meet this new demand, we’ve woven new specs and elements into these innovative instruments, introducing products that will ease the playing experience and inspire young, new players, but also professionals and fans of some of our most-esteemed Fender artists. From Artist signature and acoustic guitars to amps, pedals, Squier®, accessories and more – there’s something for everyone as we close out our iconic 75th anniversary year.”
SQUIER AFFINITY SERIES
Squier® Affinity Series™ guitars ($549-$649 AUD) A superb gateway into the time-honored Fender family, the Squier® Affinity Series™ delivers legendary design and quintessential tone for today’s aspiring guitar hero. This guitar and bass lineup features player-friendly refinements such as a thin, lightweight body and a slim, comfortable “C”-shaped neck profile. Each model sports Squier® pickups and sealed die-cast tuning machines with split shaft (guitars) or vintage-style open-gear tuning machines (bass) for smooth, accurate tuning and easy restringing. These models are ready to help lay the foundation for any player at any stage.
Available July 2021.
Models include:
● Squier® Affinity Series™ Stratocaster® guitar ($549 AUD) The Squier® Affinity Series™ Stratocaster® features a 2-point tremolo bridge for superior tremolo action and is loaded with a trio of Squier single-coil Strat pickups with 5-way switching. Available in 3-Color Sunburst (laurel fingerboard), Olympic White (maple fingerboard), Black (maple fingerboard) and Lake Placid Blue (maple finger board).
● Squier® Affinity Series™ Stratocaster® HH guitar ($549 AUD) The Squier® Affinity Series™ Stratocaster® HH is loaded with a pair of Squier® humbucking pickups with 3-way switching for genre-defying sonic variety. Available in Olympic White, Burgundy Mist and Charcoal Frost Metallic with a laurel fingerboard.
● Squier® Affinity Series™ Stratocaster® FMT HSS guitar ($649 AUD) The Squier® Affinity Series™ Stratocaster® FMT HSS features an eye-catching flame maple top (FMT) and is loaded with a Squier® humbucking bridge pickup and single-coil neck and middle pickups. Available in Sienna Sunburst or Black Burst with a maple fingerboard.
● Squier® Affinity Series™ Telecaster® guitar ($549 AUD) The Squier® Affinity Series™ Telecaster® is loaded with dual Squier® single-coil Tele® pickups with 3-way switching. Available in Lake Placid Blue (laurel fingerboard), Olympic White (laurel Fingerboard), 3-Color sunburst (maple fingerboard) and Butterscotch Blonde (maple fingerboard).
● Squier® Affinity Series™ Telecaster® Left-Handed guitar ($549 AUD) The Squier® Affinity Series™ Telecaster® Left-Handed guitar is available in Butterscotch Blonde with a maple fingerboard.
● Squier® Affinity Series™ Telecaster® Deluxe guitar ($599 AUD) The Squier® Affinity Series™ Telecaster® Deluxe has the refinements of the Squier® Affinity Series™ Telecaster® guitar and is loaded with two Squier® humbucking pickups with individual volume and tone controls. Available in Burgundy Mist (laurel fingerboard), Charcoal Frost Metallic (laurel Fingerboard) and Black (maple fingerboard).
● Squier® Affinity Series™ Jazzmaster® guitar ($599 AUD) The Squier® Affinity Series™ Jazzmaster® has a modern 2-point tremolo bridge for superior tremolo action and is loaded with two Squier® single-coil Jazzmaster pickups with 3-way switching. Available in Burgundy Mist and Lake Placid blue with a laurel fingerboard.
● Squier® Affinity Series™ Jaguar Bass® H ($549 AUD) The Squier® Affinity Series™ Jaguar Bass® H features an easy-playing 32” medium scale length and vintage-style open-gear tuning machines. Loaded with a Squier® humbucking pickup for a fat, punchy tone. Available in Lake Placid Blue (maple fingerboard), Black (maple fingerboard) and Charcoal Frost Metallic (laurel fingerboard).
● Squier® Affinity Series™ Precision Bass® PJ ($599 AUD) The Squier® Affinity Series™ Precision Bass® PJ features vintage-style open-gear tuning machines for smooth, accurate tuning. Loaded with a Squier® split single-coil P Bass® neck pickup and a single-coil J Bass® bridge pickup. Available in Lake Placid Blue (laurel fingerboard), Charcoal Frost Metallic (laurel fingerboard), Olympic White (maple fingerboard) and Black (maple fingerboard).
● Squier® Affinity Series™ Jazz Bass® ($599 AUD) The Squier® Affinity Series™ Jazz Bass® is loaded with two Squier® single-coil J Bass® pickups for a wide variety of tones. Available in Burgundy Mist (laurel fingerboard), Charcoal Frost Metallic (laurel fingerboard), 3-Color Sunburst (maple fingerboard) and Black (maple fingerboard).
● Squier® Affinity Series™ Jazz Bass® V ($649 AUD) This 5-string Squier® Affinity Series™ Jazz Bass® V is loaded with two Squier® single-coil J Bass® pickups for a wide variety of tones. Available in 3-Color Sunburst (laurel fingerboard) and Olympic White (maple fingerboard).
Also available as a part of the Squier® Affinity Series™ are new guitar packs which include a Squier® Affinity Series™ Stratocaster® HSS or a Squier® Affinity Series™ Precision Bass® PJ, paired with a Fender® amp and all the accessories you need to turn your affinity for music into a lifelong passion. Available July 2021.
Pack options:
● Squier® Affinity Series™ Stratocaster® HSS guitar pack ($749 AUD) The Squier® Affinity Series™ Stratocaster® HSS pack features a Squier® Affinity Series™ Stratocaster® HSS guitar, a Frontman 15G amplifier and all the accessories you need including a padded gig bag, picks, strap and 10’ cable. The guitar is loaded with a Squier® humbucking bridge pickup and single-coil neck and middle pickups. The amp delivers 15 watts of pure Fender® tone with clean and overdrive channels, three-band EQ, a headphone jack for silent practice and an aux input for connecting a media device. Available in Lake Placid Blue (maple fingerboard) or Charcoal Frost Metallic (laurel fingerboard).
● Squier® Affinity Series™ Precision Bass® PJ pack ($799 AUD) The Squier® Affinity Series™ Precision Bass® PJ pack features a Squier® Affinity Series™ Precision Bass® PJ, a Rumble™ 15 amplifier and all the accessories you need including a padded gig bag, strap and 10’ cable. The bass is loaded with a Squier® split single-coil P Bass® neck pickup and a single-coil J Bass® bridge pickup. The amp delivers 15 watts of pure Fender® bass tone and features an 8” Fender® Special Design speaker, three-band EQ, headphone jack for silent practice and an aux input jack for connecting a media device. Available in 3-Color Sunburst (laurel fingerboard) and Black (maple fingerboard).
SQUIER PARANORMAL SERIES
Squier® Paranormal Series ($899 AUD) The Paranormal Series turns fiction into reality by embracing forgotten models, taking twists and turns on familiar specs and re-imagining guitars that should have been. First released in 2020, the popular Squier® Paranormal Series led many players into the paranormal realm and this re-release will lure many more. Even with their other-worldly looks, each guitar in the series remains player friendly with a slim “C”-shape neck profile and a gloss neck finish for a slick feel. Featuring a mashup of Fender features, each instrument in this series is sure to grab the spotlight.
Available October 2021.
Models include:
● Squier® Paranormal Toronado guitar ($899 AUD) Originally introduced by Fender in 1998, the Toronado became a fresh face in the crowd of offset-style guitars with its unique curves and crushing tone. This latest iteration, the Squier® Paranormal Toronado, delivers several player-friendly features including a slim “C” shaped neck with a slick gloss finish, a string-through-body bridge for solid string stability, individual volume and tone controls for a wide range of tonal variety and an easy-playing 24.75” scale length. With its otherworldly looks, transcendent playability and earth-shattering tone, this model will transport any player into a Paranormal realm. Available in 3-Color Sunburst and Mystic Seafoam with a laurel fingerboard.
● Squier® Paranormal Offset Telecaster® guitar ($899 AUD) The Squier® Paranormal Offset Telecaster® is the quintessential mashup of Fender features, combining the components of the iconic Tele® guitar with the comfort and style of the Jazzmaster® guitar offset body shape. The guitar features dual Fender-designed alnico single-coil pickups and string-through-body bridge design, with chrome hardware. Available in Olympic White, Butterscotch Blonde and Shell Pink with a maple fingerboard.
● Squier® Paranormal Cyclone guitar ($899 AUD) The Squier® Paranormal Cyclone combines details from several iconic Fender® models to create a whirlwind that is greater than the sum of its parts. With a small offset body shape borrowed from the Mustang® guitar, pickups and vintage-style tremolo from a Stratocaster® guitar and controls from a Jaguar® guitar, this guitar delivers standout style, a player-friendly 24.75” scale length and and slim “C”-shape neck profile for easy playability and a gloss neck finish for a slick feel. Available in Candy Apple Red and Pearl White with a laurel fingerboard.
● Squier® Paranormal Super-Sonic™ guitar ($899 AUD) The Squier® Paranormal Super-Sonic™ is stranger than fiction with its reverse body shape and headstock, producing massive tone courtesy of its dual Squier® Atomic humbucking pickups. Featuring a “C”-shape neck profile and narrow 1.5” nut width and a vintage-style tremolo for expressive string bending effects. Available in Blue Sparkle and Shell Pink with a laurel fingerboard.
● Squier® Paranormal Cabronita Telecaster® Thinline guitar ($899 AUD) The Squier® Paranormal Cabronita Telecaster® Thinline brings the Tele® a step beyond its 1950s roots. The guitar features dual Fender-designed alnico Jazzmaster® single-coil pickups and Cabronita Tele® styling. This semi-hollow model provides versatile tones perfect for various musical settings and includes a string-through-body bridge for solid string stability. Available in Lake Placid Blue and 2-Color Sunburst with a maple fingerboard.
● Squier® Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster® guitar ($899 AUD) The Squier® Paranormal Baritone Cabronita Telecaster® features dual Fender-designed alnico single-coil soapbar pickups and Cabronita Tele® styling. This baritone model is the perfect companion to accompany any player into uncharted territory. Further player-friendly callouts include a string-through-body bridge for solid string stability. Available in 3-Color Sunburst and Surf Green with a laurel fingerboard.
Squier® Paranormal Jazz Bass® ’54 ($899 AUD) The Squier® Paranormal Jazz Bass® ’54 combines the easy playability and tonal versatility of the J Bass® with the classic looks of its older sibling, the Precision Bass® (around 1954, the P Bass® transitioned from a slab body to a contoured body). This bass has dual Fender-designed alnico single-coil pickups, a vintage-style bridge and tuning machines, dual concentric volume and tone controls and a sprawling ’50sstyle pickguard that transports the Jazz Bass® back in time. Available in 3-Color Sunburst and Black with a maple fingerboard.
