Built For Digital Generations In A Shifting Music Industry, Player Plus Builds On Player Series Legacy With Both Performance Upgrades and Bold New Finishes
HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. (September 14, 2021) — Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) today announced the launch of the all-new Player Plus Series. As a new generation of guitar players continues to emerge, Player Plus puts the power of guitar squarely in their hands with new versions of Fender’s most iconic models. Combining precise playability with unbridled style, these seven guitars and basses are engineered to remove any obstacle to effortless playing and are finished in vibrant, head-turning colors. Player Plus is an extension of the Player Series, which was the most widely-adopted Fender guitar series in 2020 and has sold over 400k units since its 2018 debut. Millions of new players began their learning journey during the pandemic, and for many, the Player Series provided a seamless entry into the Fender brand.
As digital platforms like TikTok have opened up new pathways for artists to find worldwide audiences, Fender has designed Player Plus for the generation leading the charge: both online and as live music begins to roar back after its hiatus. The launch of Player Plus will also serve as the debut of Fender’s very own TikTok, @fender. Fender’s presence on the app will include exclusive content, product demos and educational content, tailor-made for both passionate musicians and aspiring artists. To highlight Player Plus on TikTok, Fender has teamed up with guitarists currently pushing the boundaries of genre and creativity in terms of what and how they are creating music. They include Blu DeTiger, Hannah Dasher, Gabriel Garzón-Montano, The Destroy Boys and the Nova Twins.
Blu DeTiger with the Player Plus Precision Bass in Cosmic Jade
The launch of the Player Series in 2018 helped spark a movement in the guitar industry, one where Fender has committed to showcasing the youthful, creative and evolving universe of guitar and bass. This movement has been accelerated over the past twelve months with even more new players entering the world of guitar than ever before. This new generation of players have more diverse opinions, styles, tastes and perspectives than any cohort of guitarists before them. The launch of Player Plus is Fender’s continued opportunity to unite this new generation of guitar players with a campaign that bridges creation, energy and style with expression, connection and collaboration. With the new Player Plus Series, Fender aims to highlight the diverse perspectives behind the creativity and self-expression that will shape the style, culture and music of the future.
Nova Twins with the Player Plus Stratocaster HSS in Belair Blue (left) and Precision Bass in Cosmic Jade (right)
“Artists will always be at the heart of what drives us to create and innovate,” said Evan Jones, Fender CMO. “For us, this means listening closely to their needs, studying the evolving music landscape and delivering tools that will help them move and inspire fans. Inspired by the continued emergence of new artists who are taking guitar into new spaces and putting their own stamp on musical traditions of the past, the Player Plus series is built for artists who want to transmit a bold aesthetic and are unapologetic in their approach to their craft. Our hope is that working artists & emerging players will be attracted to the undeniable style, feel, energy and of course Fender tone that has and will continue to inspire generations of creators.”
Gabriel Garzón-Montano with the Player Plus Telecaster in Silver Smoke
The future of music has inherently adapted due to the rise of social media platforms like TikTok, which amasses over 100M monthly active users, many of them musicians. As a result, Fender is launching its own TikTok this month to inspire not only guitarists but also other content creators on the platform. Additionally, the new lineup of models will be featured in Fender’s new content series, Sessions Plus. Building on the fan-favorite Fender Sessions, Sessions Plus profiles the artists at the forefront of a boundary-pushing musical subculture and the Player Plus guitar or bass they use to bring their passions to life. The series highlights how digital platforms have created new genres and made old ones more dynamic: from Blu DeTiger taking bass playing to center stage, to Destroy Boys’ new twist on time-honored punk genres.
Hannah Dasher (left) with the Player Plus Nashville Telecaster in Candy Apple Red
All Player Plus models are designed with features and hardware that are approachable yet empowering to the seasoned player. The necks for the series feature 12”-radius fingerboards, with rolled edges perfect for intense playing while maintaining comfort. The New Noiseless pickups used throughout Player Plus models deliver classic Fender tones with modern clarity: delivering highs that can cut through the mix without distracting hum. These electronics are controlled with advanced switching capabilities to give players easy access to a wide variety of tonal options, while locking tuners provide professional-grade stability and make string changes easy. These features differentiate Player Plus guitars and basses from traditional or vintage-style instruments, but maintain their ability to seamlessly blend and mesh with every conceivable use occasion, genre or creative situation.
Destroy Boys with the Player Plus Stratocaster in Tequila Sunrise (left) and Stratocaster HSS in Belair Blue (right)
“We designed the Player Plus series to match the unique characteristics of today’s players and creators,” said Justin Norvell, EVP Fender Products. “When we first launched the Player Series in 2018, we set a new standard for what an entry-point Fender could be. Now, the Player Plus series offers a next-level playing experience to help a new generation share their passion and distinct perspective. The newly-voiced Noiseless pickups and rolled edges of the neck deliver the power and precision modern artists demand. With the Electric new gradient burst finishes, we’ve delivered a visually-striking line of performance instruments that exemplify Fender’s ethos: honoring our past while looking to the future.” Player Plus guitars and basses come in a range of finishes that nod to Fender’s history and culture. These include Belair Blue, Silver Smoke, Tequila Sunrise, Aged Olympic Pearl, Aged Candy Apple Red, Cosmic Jade and Opal Spark. Several of these finishes are a modern take on the gradient finishes seen on ‘80s-era, high-performance Fender® models and differentiate Player Plus from any other series in the company’s portfolio. The Player Plus series of electric guitars and basses feature seven new models available at local dealers and on Fender.com.
Check out an exclusive Player Plus Sessions video with Blu DeTiger here:
Models include:
● Player Plus Stratocaster® guitar ($999.99 USD, £939.00 GBP, €1,049.00 EUR, $1,999.00 AUD,
¥137,500 JPY)
● Player Plus Stratocaster® HSS guitar ($1,029.99 USD, £979.00 GBP, €1,099.00 EUR, $2,049.00
AUD, ¥140,800 JPY)
● Player Plus Telecaster® guitar ($999.99 USD, £939.00 GBP, €1,049.00 EUR, $1,999.00 AUD,
¥137,500 JPY)
● Player Plus Nashville Telecaster® guitar ($1,029.99 USD, £979.00 GBP, €1,099.00 EUR, $2,049.00
AUD, ¥140,800 JPY)
● Player Plus Active Precision Bass® guitar ($1,049.99 USD, £1,069.00 GBP, €1,199.00 EUR,
$2,099.00 AUD, ¥148,500 JPY)
● Player Plus Active Jazz Bass® guitar ($1,099.99 USD, £1,069.00 GBP, €1,199.00 EUR, $2,199.00
AUD, ¥159,500 JPY)
● Player Plus Active Jazz Bass® V guitar ($1,149.99 USD, £1,159.00 GBP, €1,299.00 EUR, $2,299.00
AUD, ¥165,000 JPY)
For technical specs, additional information on new Fender® products and to find a retail partner near you, visit www.fender.com. Join the conversation on social media by following @Fender.
