Fender launches the American Professional Classic series, the new entry point to its USA-made lineup
Fender has unveiled the all-new American Professional Classic series, shifting the hierarchy of its USA-made product lineup.
The new range replaces the American Performer range, entering above the Mexico-made Player II line and below the American Professional II series, which launched in 2020. Thus, the American Professional Classic series sits as the new entry point to the brand’s American-made instruments.
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The American Professional Classic series – which comprises nine instruments (six guitars and three basses) – is pitched to offer “reliability, versatility and performance at the highest level”, with the tagline: “Tested. Trusted. Night After Night.”
The result is a line of guitars which is deeply rooted in the tried-and-tested Fender blueprints, but with spec sheets geared towards the modern player, including a number of forward-thinking appointments, not least all-new Coastline pickups.
These new pickups are ever-so-slightly overwound, and based on the firm’s Pure Vintage models, for enhanced clarity, punch and dynamic expression, and for “Fender’s signature warmth and bite across every register”. Essentially, it’s classic Fender tone, but hotter.
Other key appointments include enhanced neck profiles – Modern C-shaped with rolled fingerboard edges for speed and playing comfort – as well as upgraded hardware, including vintage bridges and precision ClassicGear tuning heads for “rock-solid” tuning stability.
The line also comes in a curated selection of classic fender finishes, reimagined for modern players with fresh and vibrant options.
Specifically, there’s a classic triple-single-coil-loaded Stratocaster, HSS Strat, Telecaster, Hotshot Telecaster – a successor to the triple-pickup Nashville Telecaster – as well as a Jazzmaster and Jaguar. In the bass department, there’s a Precision Bass, Jazz Bass and a Mustang Bass.
“The American Professional Classic is all about delivering a great playing experience,” says Max Gutnik, Chief Product Officer at FMIC.
“We focused on every detail: from the all-new Coastline pickups, which offer clear, punchy tone across every register, to the Modern-‘C’ neck with rolled fingerboard edges that feels comfortably broken-in from day one.
“We combined vintage-inspired finishes and hardware with thoughtful upgrades like staggered ClassicGear tuners, Mustang saddles on the offsets, and slotted Telecaster barrel saddles. The result is a guitar that’s easy to play, sounds incredible and adapts to any style or stage.”
Fender have tapped Baltimore hardcore outfit Turnstile to front the campaign. Check out the guitars in action during Turnstile live shows in the video below:
“When you’re in a different place constantly, sometimes the most familiar thing is the guitar that you bring every single night,” says Turnstile’s Pat McCrory.
“We look for something that sounds the same every time, sounds exactly how you want it, but also has versatility because spaces change. Sometimes you play outside, sometimes it sounds different, sometimes you play inside or there’s noise lighting. Having some durability but flexibility is very important.”
Pricing for the American Professional Classic series is as follows:
American Professional Classic Stratocaster – £1,499 / $1,499
American Professional Classic Stratocaster HSS – £1,549 / $1,549
American Professional Classic Telecaster – £1,499 / $1,499
American Professional Classic Hotshot Telecaster – £1,549 / $1,549
American Professional Classic Jazzmaster – £1,599 / $1,599
American Professional Classic Jaguar – £1,599 / $1,599
American Professional Classic Precision Bass – £1,549 / $1,599
American Professional Classic Jazz Bass – £1,549 / $1,599
American Professional Classic Mustang Bass – £1,499 / $1,599
Learn more about the American Professional Classic series at Fender.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
