New Mexico

Fender’s Mexican Player series replaces its Standard models

Anew range of Fender guitars is expected to set a fresh standard, debuting bold finishes and features for Mexican electrics. They represent a comprehensive update that replaces the Mexican Standard series but maintains the old models’ prices. The new finishes are Sonic Red, Buttercream, Sage Green Metallic and the probably the most desirable pick of the bunch, the turquoise shades of Tidepool.

Unsurprisingly, with CITES regulations on rosewood now in full effect, pau ferro is the fingerboard option alongside maple. The smooth satin finish for the maple Modern C-shape necks will no doubt be welcomed and there’s new Alnico pickups designed by Fender’s guru Tim Shaw.

But the changes go deeper; Fender has added a 22nd medium jumbo fret to the Strats to offer players greater scope for expression, and that’s reflected in an updated two-point vibrato design that’s intended to offer smoother travel by reducing friction against the posts.

The Telecasters benefit from bent-steel saddles in a string-through-body bridge to aid intonation and treble response. The ‘F’-stamped neck plate on all models is also a nice cosmetic touch.

The Player Series Jaguar is even more interesting on spec. Replacing the twin single-coil layout, Tim Shaw has spec’d a low-power Alnico 3 humbucker in the bridge and Alnico 2 single coil in the neck. The small plastic switch on the upper horn isn’t the old rhythm circuit, it serves a more universally useful function and splits the humbucker for single-coil tones. A Mustang bridge replaces the original idiosyncratic Jag design. www.fender.com