Fender Unveils Hot and Spicy California Series Guitars
July 11, 1997
Mention California and, almost immediately, images of golden sunshine,
orange groves, surfing and movie stars come to mind. Thanks to Fender Musical
Instruments, get ready to add "guitars" to that list as the company has just unveiled
its stunning California Series: the California Strat., California FAT Strat and
California FAT Tele®
"The California Series came about thanks to the joint efforts of Fender's
Corona, California factory and its Baja California Norte, Ensenada, Mexico
facility," noted Mike Lewis, marketing manager for Fender's electric guitar
division. "The bodies and necks are shaped by Fender's craftsmen in Corona and
subsequently hand-painted at our ultra-modern facility in Mexico. Final assembly,
including the installation of vintage hardware and electronics, is then completed in
Corona. All three instruments are marked by exceptional attention to detail, tonal
quality and playability."
For starters, the California Strat boasts a classic Strat design with Tex-Mex
Trio pickups that pack enough firepower and spice to humble a jalapeno. The
California FAT Strat features a U.S.-made Fender humbucker paired with two
single coil Tex-Mex pickups in the neck and middle positions. "They're very
punchy, but not over the top," Lewis explained. The California FAT Tele houses a
U.S.-made Fender Tele humbucker in the neck position matched with a Tex-Mex
Tele pickup in the bridge position. "That combination allows players a variety of
tones ranging from stinging, sustaining leads and cool, clean single notes to
vintage Tele 'snap'," Lewis added.
Features common to each California Series instrument include an alder
body, tinted maple neck equipped with medium jumbo frets, U.S. vintage
hardware and electronics. All three models are also available in Black, Candy
Apple Red, Brown Sunburst, Fiesta Red and Vintage White finishes. U.S.
suggested retail prices, including gig bags, are: $799.99 for the California Strat,
$849.99 for the California FAT Strat, and $849.99 for the California FAT Tele. For more information, visit their web site at www.fender.com. |
