If you like ash just the way it is, Fender's new limited edition Performer's could be a treerific option… sorry. There's only a layer of satin polyurethane coating on top but the new FSR Raw Ash American Performer models are packing impressive electronics too.
Both this Tele and Strat have Fender's new Yosemite single-coils. These have flat-staggered pole pieces that increase output and a shellac coating that controls feedback without choking their sound.
These Performers also feature the Greasebucket tone circuit – and really we think more guitars should have this as it lets you roll off top end with the tone control without adding any bass frequencies,. It retains clarity and really encourages you to experiment with the control.
These limited edition guitars are available now from Guitar Center below for $,1249 and we've seen UK street prices around £999 but stock is not widespread.
Fender American Performer Raw Ash Telecaster Limited Edition $1,249
A Tele wish a difference – striking natural ash with Fender's new Yosemite single-coil pickups and the Greasebucket tone circuit for this limited run model.
Fender American Performer Raw Ash Stratocaster Limited Edition $1,249
The special run Performer Strat in stunning natural grain ash with the new Fender Yosemite pickups and Greasebucket tone circuit
Get the MusicRadar Newsletter
Want all the hottest music and gear news, reviews, deals, features and more, direct to your inbox? Sign up here.
Rob is the Reviews Editor for GuitarWorld.com and MusicRadar guitars, so spends most of his waking hours (and beyond) thinking about and trying the latest gear while making sure our reviews team is giving you thorough and honest tests of it. He's worked for guitar mags and sites as a writer and editor for nearly 20 years but still winces at the thought of restringing anything with a Floyd Rose.
“The same hand soldered through-hole construction and super rare military spec germanium transistors that were used in the original”: EarthQuaker Devices celebrates two decades of stompbox design with the Hoof Fuzz 20th Anniversary Edition
“Perhaps it's not too surprising that it would be such a big hit”: Reverb reveals its top selling pedals of 2024 and a compact modeller is this year's big winner