Fender Electric Guitars: A Comprehensive Guide

what are the different fender electric guitars

Fender is one of the most well-known guitar brands in the world, with a diverse range of electric guitars. Founded in 1946 by Leo Fender, the company rose to prominence in the 1950s with its iconic Telecaster and Stratocaster models, which set the standard for many electric guitars that followed. Fender guitars are known for their innovative design and versatile sound, catering to musicians of various genres. The company's product line has expanded over the years, offering affordable options like the Player series and premium custom shop instruments. In addition to the Telecaster and Stratocaster, other notable Fender electric guitars include the Jazzmaster, Jaguar, and the Parallel Universe series, showcasing the brand's ongoing dedication to creating unique and exceptional musical instruments.

Characteristics Values
Models Strat, Telecaster, Jazzmaster, Jaguar, Acoustasonic, Esquire, Custom Shop, Player, Vintera, Player Plus, Parallel Universe, American Standard Series, American Professional Series, American Deluxe, American Ultra, Deluxe Strat Plus, Squier
Manufacturing Fender's Ensenada factory in Mexico, Japan, America
Year Introduced 1958 (Jazzmaster), 2018 (Player series), 2018 (Parallel Universe series), 2019 (Vintera series)
Price Affordable (Player series), premium (Vintera series), lowest tier (Squier)
Colours Surf Green, Sonic Blue, Vintage Blonde, Fiesta Red

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Fender's Player series

The Player series is Fender's most affordable electric guitar range. While still relatively attainable, the Player series offers a better fit and finish as well as superior electronics and hardware when compared to guitars manufactured by Fender's sub-brand Squier. The series is also notable for bearing the legendary Fender logo on the headstock. All models from the Player series are built at Fender's Ensenada factory in Mexico, hence the nickname "made in Mexico" or "MIM" range. The Player series was introduced in 2018 as a revamp of its best-selling South American range, and the Player II series builds upon this success with contemporary and vintage-inspired upgrades.

The Vintera series, launched in 2019, is another option for those seeking vintage-style Fender guitars without the premium price tags. This series features a diverse range of '50s, '60s and '70s-inspired Fender electric guitars, including Strats, Teles, Jazzmasters, Jaguars, and Mustangs. The Vintera lineup also includes hidden gems like the Bigsby-equipped '60s Telecaster and the '70s Tele Deluxe. The guitars in this series come equipped with vintage-voiced pickups and sport tinted necks with era-specific profiles and rounded 7.25” fingerboard radiuses. For those seeking a modern twist, the "Modified" models offer hotter pickups and “Modern C”-shaped necks with medium-jumbo frets, striking a perfect balance between old and new. The Vintera II series takes this a step further, offering accurate recreations of classic electric guitars from Fender's golden eras with added contemporary comforts, such as Rosewood fretboards on selected models.

The Player series includes the Player Stratocaster, a versatile electric guitar that has become a staple in the Fender lineup. While the Player Stratocaster is a fantastic option, it is important to consider other models that may better suit your specific needs and preferences.

Overall, the Fender Player series offers a range of affordable electric guitars with superior features and the iconic Fender logo. For those seeking vintage-style options, the Vintera and Vintera II series provide diverse choices with a blend of old and new characteristics.

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Vintera series

The Vintera series is a diverse range of Fender electric guitars that was launched in 2019 as a replacement for the Classic range. The series is perfect for guitarists who prefer vintage-style Fender guitars without the premium price tags. The Vintera series features a great selection of '50s, '60s and '70s-inspired Fender electric guitars, including Strats, Teles, Jazzmasters, Jaguars, and Mustangs. The series also includes hidden gems like the Bigsby-equipped '60s Telecaster and the '70s Tele Deluxe.

The Vintera series guitars come equipped with vintage-voiced pickups that recapture the tones of old, as well as tinted necks with era-specific profiles and rounded 7.25" fingerboard radiuses. The series offers a range of time-accurate colours, including old-school favourites like Surf Green, Sonic Blue, Vintage Blonde, and Fiesta Red. For a more modern twist, the 'Modified' models feature hotter pickups and "Modern C"-shaped necks with medium-jumbo frets, offering a blend of old and new.

The Vintera II series is an enhanced version of the original Vintera launch, offering accurate recreations of classic electric guitars from the golden eras of Fender's history, with added contemporary comforts. The Vintera II guitars feature more accurate and detailed vintage specifications, including the use of Rosewood fretboards on selected models, era-specific pickups, and the addition of new guitars to the range. The Vintera II series also includes the iconic colours and authentic neck shapes from Fender's golden years.

Overall, the Vintera series provides a diverse range of vintage-style Fender electric guitars at accessible price points, catering to guitarists who appreciate the nostalgia and tones of old-school Fender models while also offering modern variations for a blend of old and new.

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Jazzmaster

The Fender Jazzmaster was the first guitar from the manufacturer to feature a rosewood fingerboard instead of maple. The fingerboard was glued onto a maple neck. The Jazzmaster has a mellower, 'jazzier' tone than the Stratocaster, although it was not widely adopted by jazz musicians. Instead, it was embraced by rock guitarists for surf rock.

The Jazzmaster has an extra-long vibrato arm, and its bridge and vibrato construction differ from the Stratocaster, giving it a different resonance and generally less sustain. The bridge sits on two fulcrum points and moves back and forth with the vibrato motion. The body of the Jazzmaster is larger than that of other Fender guitars.

The guitar features wide, white 'soapbar' pickups that are unlike any other single-coil guitar pickup. They are constructed differently from Gibson's P-90 pickups, as the pole pieces of the Jazzmaster pickup are magnets themselves, while the P-90 has its magnets placed underneath its coil. The JM coil is wound flat and wide, contributing to a warmer and thicker tone without sacrificing single-coil clarity.

The Jazzmaster's pickup circuit includes "roller" thumbwheel controls and a slide switch at the upper neck end of the pickguard. When the switch is in the lead position, the guitar's tone is controlled by the conventional tone and volume knobs and the pickup selector switch. In the rhythm position, it selects the neck pickup only, with the brightness slightly reduced, and the volume and tone are controlled by the thumbwheels.

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Parallel Universe series

The Fender Parallel Universe series is a collection of electric guitars that combine the features of several different Fender guitars to create something new. The series was first introduced in 2018 and features a range of unique, wacky, and mismatched designs. The Parallel Universe series celebrates the modular nature of Fender guitars, allowing players to customise and mix-and-match components to create something entirely their own.

The series includes the Strat-Tele Hybrid, which was the first model released in the collection. It features the traditional Tele body with professional touches like three Custom Shop '69 Aged Strat pickups. The Strat-Tele Hybrid is followed by the Troublemaker Tele, which features a bound mahogany body with a maple top and a custom Cabronita pickguard. The Whiteguard Strat combines the biting twang of a Telecaster with the sleek, ergonomic contours of a Strat.

The Jaguar Strat takes visual cues from the Jaguar and melds its agile switching system with Strat electronics to create a powerful hybrid. The Meteora, launched in November 2018, features a new limited-edition offset body shape with both Jazzmaster and Telecaster guitar features. The Tele Thinline Super Deluxe pairs rich-sounding TV Jones Classic pickups with Fender's semi-hollow Tele design.

The Parallel Universe Volume II series, launched in 2019, includes the Jazz Strat, a fusion of a Stratocaster body with the neck, pickups, and vibrato of a Jazzmaster. Other models in the Volume II series include the Maverick Dorado, Spark-OMatic Jazzmaster, Tele Màgico, Strat Jazz Deluxe, and the Uptown Strat. The guitars in the Parallel Universe series feature custom-wound Double Tap humbuckers, special electronics, and push-push pots, along with gold hardware and pearl blocks on the fretboard for an elegant look.

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Squier

The Squier Mini Strat, for example, is a 3/4-sized version of the Squier Bullet, with 20 frets on a small-scale neck, making it perfect for small hands. The Mini Strat has three single-coil pickups, master volume and tone controls, and a rosewood fretboard. It comes in a range of cool colours and has a sleek double cutaway body.

The Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster Junior HSS, with a Laurel Fingerboard and White Pickguard, is another option. This guitar is priced at $289.99. The Squier Affinity Series also includes the Telecaster Thinline, with a Maple Fingerboard and White Pickguard, priced at $359.99.

For a higher price, the Squier Classic Vibe '70s Stratocaster, with a Laurel Fingerboard, is available for $429.99. The Classic Vibe '60s Telecaster Thinline, with a Maple Fingerboard, is also part of the Classic Vibe series, and is priced at $449.99.

Frequently asked questions

Fender has been manufacturing electric guitars since the 1950s and has since released a diverse range of models, each with its own unique sonic characteristics. Some of the most popular Fender electric guitars include the Telecaster, the Stratocaster, and the Jazzmaster.

The Telecaster, or "Tele", was the first mass-produced solid-body electric guitar introduced by Fender in 1951. It traditionally features two single-coil pickups with a slightly larger bridge pickup mounted on a metal plate, giving it a trademark radiant, snappy, and twangy sound. The Stratocaster, or "Strat", is known for its balanced dual cutaway design and usually features three expressive single-coil pickups, making it highly customizable.

Introduced in 1958, the Jazzmaster was initially intended for jazz audiences but quickly gained popularity among surf-rock and rock 'n' roll musicians. It features dual tone circuits that separate the lead from the rhythm circuits, giving them individual controls and resulting in amazing versatility. The Jazzmaster also uses Fender's floating tremolo bridge/tailpiece design, allowing guitarists to further refine their tone and sound. Today, it is widely used by musicians in various genres, including alt-rock, grunge, and indie.

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