Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitar Amps
  • Guitar Pedals
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • EVH trance state
  • Antonoff on Please Please Please
  • “Mick looked peeved. The Beatles had upstaged him”
  • 95k+ free music samples

Recommended reading

The Fender Richie Kotzen Stratocaster is made in Japan and features a contoured ash body with a stunning figured maple top, and comes with DiMarzio pickups and Gotoh tuners.
Artists Fender gives Richie Kotzen’s figured-maple topped MIJ signature Strat a global release
Mark Speer of Khruangbin sits with his natural finish Fender Strat while Laura Lee holds her new signature Jazz Bass.
Artists Fender unveils DiMarzio-loaded Strat and Jazz Bass for Khruangbin’s Mark Speer and Laura Lee
Fender Player II Modified Series
Guitars Fender remixes its blockbuster Player II range with the Modified Series and got IDLES to demo them
PRS CE 22 Limited Edition
Guitars PRS keeps the limited edition releases coming with the return of the classic CE22 bolt-on
Epiphone goes high-end with its Inspired By Gibson Custom 2025 collection: [from left] the '63 Firebird in Polaris White is joined by a 1959 Les Paul Standard, a '64 SG Standard, a 1960 Les Paul Special in TV Yellow and a 1962 ES-335 reissue.
Guitars Epiphone expands and upgrades Inspired By Gibson Custom range with 8 stunning "reissue" electrics
Orangewood Del Sol: the new offset is the brand's first ever electric guitar and it was designed in collaboration with Josh Forest of TreeTone Guitars.
Guitars Orangewood teams up with TreeTone for its first-ever electric – a baritone offset semi, priced $695
Fender Limited Edition Brad Paisley 1967 'Lost Paisley' Telecaster – the new Custom Shop signature collab features a finish from a Blue Paisley Cling-Foil sheet
Artists Fender and Brad Paisley introduce the Custom Shop 1967 ‘Lost Paisley’ Telecaster
  1. Guitars

NAMM 2017: Fender announces 9 limited edition Exotic Collection guitars

News
By Matt Parker published 19 January 2017

Unusual tonewoods on classic models

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Introduction

Introduction

NAMM 2017: Take a look at these images of Fender's new limited edition Exotic Collection instruments. The range reimagines popular models in unusual tonewoods and will be launched monthly throughout 2017, beginning in April.

Included in the line-up is a Malaysian Blackwood Telecaster 90; American Professional Pine Stratocaster, Jazzmaster and Telecasters; and the American Professional Mahogany Tele Deluxe ShawBucker.

The wood has been sourced from a variety of original sources, including - in the case of the pine - Buckstaff Furniture Company facility in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, while elsewhere Fender has taken the unusual step of using mahogany (albeit not for the first time) in Strat and Tele designs.

Browse the gallery to take a closer look at all nine of the limited edition models.

Page 1 of 10
Page 1 of 10
2017 Limited Edition Malaysian Blackwood Telecaster® 90

2017 Limited Edition Malaysian Blackwood Telecaster® 90

PRESS RELEASE: The 2017 Limited Edition Malaysian Blackwood Telecaster enhances the traditional Telecaster style with the elegant look of a Malaysian blackwood top.

The new limited-edition guitar features two JP-90 single-coil pickups and is topped by 22 narrow-tall frets and a 9.5”-radius maple fingerboard that is ideal for most playing styles.

Other highlights of the model include a custom string-through-body short-plate Tele® bridge that features compensated brass saddles, a Limited Edition neck plate and a hardshell case.

Page 2 of 10
Page 2 of 10
2017 Limited Edition Shedua Top Stratocaster®

2017 Limited Edition Shedua Top Stratocaster®

PRESS RELEASE: The 2017 Limited Edition Shedua Top Stratocaster tempers the traditional Strat® sound with the rich tone and warm look of an okoume body with a shedua top.

The limited-edition model features three of Fender’s brand-new V-Mod single-coil pickups, a new treble-bleed tone circuit and a new modern “Deep C”-shaped neck profile that feels just right in the player’s hand.

The limited-edition guitar also includes narrow-tall frets, a Limited Edition neck plate and a hardshell case.

Page 3 of 10
Page 3 of 10
2017 Limited Edition American Professional Jazz Bass® FMT

2017 Limited Edition American Professional Jazz Bass® FMT

PRESS RELEASE: The new 2017 Limited Edition American Professional Jazz Bass combines modern features with a stunning figured maple top to create an instrument that looks as beautiful as it sounds.

The new model features brand-new V-Mod single-coil Jazz Bass pickups, a slim “Modern C”-shaped neck and 20 narrow-tall frets that provide comfortable playing feel and perfect intonation.

Other features include a four-saddle HiMass™ Vintage string-through-body bridge with nickel-plated brass saddles, a Limited Edition neck plate and a hardshell case.

Page 4 of 10
Page 4 of 10
2017 Limited Edition American Professional Mahogany Stratocaster®

2017 Limited Edition American Professional Mahogany Stratocaster®

PRESS RELEASE: A departure from Fender’s traditional tone wood choices, the 2017 Limited Edition American Professional Mahogany Stratocaster tempers the traditional Strat® sound with the rich tone and warm look of mahogany.

The new limited model features three of Fender’s brand-new V-Mod single-coil pickups, a new treble-bleed tone circuit and new modern “Deep C”-shaped neck profile and narrow-tall frets. Other features include a Limited Edition neck plate and a hardshell case.

Page 5 of 10
Page 5 of 10
2017 Limited Edition American Elite Mahogany Tele® Thinline

2017 Limited Edition American Elite Mahogany Tele® Thinline

PRESS RELEASE: The new 2017 Limited Edition American Elite Mahogany Tele Thinline tempers the traditional Telecaster bite with the rich sound and warm look of mahogany.

The model features a single 4th Gen Noiseless™ single-coil Telecaster bridge pickup and a fat-sounding ShawBucker Special Wind humbucking neck pickup (coil-splittable via the S-1™ switch) for noise-free, high-output tone.

The Elite Suspension Bridge is a unique design with a screwless mount that increases the vibration transfer, driving the top for nearly endless sustain and lively response.

The new model also features a compound-profile neck that sports a 9.5”-14” compound-radius maple fingerboard, 22 medium jumbo frets, a Limited Edition neck plate and a hardshell case.

Page 6 of 10
Page 6 of 10
2017 Limited Edition American Professional Mahogany Tele® Deluxe ShawBucker®

2017 Limited Edition American Professional Mahogany Tele® Deluxe ShawBucker®

PRESS RELEASE: The 2017 Limited Edition American Professional Mahogany Tele Deluxe ShawBucker tempers the traditional Tele bite with rich sound and the warm look of mahogany.

The new model features a pair of fat-sounding ShawBucker humbucking pickups, 22 narrow-tall frets and a 9.5”-radius maple fingerboard that is ideal for most playing styles. The new model also features a Limited Edition neck plate and a hardshell case.

Page 7 of 10
Page 7 of 10
2017 Limited Edition American Vintage '59 Pine Stratocaster®

2017 Limited Edition American Vintage '59 Pine Stratocaster®

PRESS RELEASE: Fender’s original prototype instruments were fashioned from pine and now, with the 2017 Limited Edition American Vintage ’59 Pine Stratocaster, the company has come full circle.

The new limited model features three American Vintage ’59 single-coil Strat® pickups, 21 narrow-tall frets and a 9.5”-radius maple fingerboard that is ideal for most playing styles. The model also includes a Limited Edition neck plate with a laser engraved logo on the headstock and a hardshell case.

Page 8 of 10
Page 8 of 10
2017 Limited Edition American Professional Pine Telecaster®

2017 Limited Edition American Professional Pine Telecaster®

PRESS RELEASE: The 2017 Limited Edition American Professional Pine Telecaster contains body wood that began its functional life over 100 years ago as part of the Buckstaff Furniture Company’s facility in Oshkosh, Wis. before it was reclaimed, cooked and fashioned into an instrument.

The new limited-edition model also features a single American Vintage ’64 Gray-bottom single-coil Tele® pickup, a Lollar Charlie Christian single-coil neck pickup, 22 narrow-tall frets and a 9.5”-radius maple fingerboard.

The new model also features a three-saddle string-through-body Tele bridge that features compensated brass saddles. The model also includes a Limited Edition neck plate with a laser engraved logo on the headstock and a hardshell case.

Page 9 of 10
Page 9 of 10
2017 Limited Edition American Professional Pine Jazzmaster®

2017 Limited Edition American Professional Pine Jazzmaster®

PRESS RELEASE: The new Limited Edition American Professional Pine Jazzmaster is truly unique, thanks to its grain, knotholes and man-made imperfections.

Features in the new limited-edition model include a pair of V-Mod single-coil Jazzmaster pickups, 22 narrow-tall frets, a 9.5”-radius maple fingerboard and an improved tremolo and bridge that incorporate a screw-in arm and brass Mustang saddles.

The model also includes a Limited Edition neck plate with a laser engraved logo on the headstock and a hardshell case.

Page 10 of 10
Page 10 of 10
Matt Parker
Matt Parker

Matt is a freelance journalist who has spent the last decade interviewing musicians for the likes of Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, MusicRadar, NME.com, DJ Mag and Electronic Sound. In 2020, he launched CreativeMoney.co.uk, which aims to share the ideas that make creative lifestyles more sustainable. He plays guitar, but should not be allowed near your delay pedals.

Read more
The Fender Richie Kotzen Stratocaster is made in Japan and features a contoured ash body with a stunning figured maple top, and comes with DiMarzio pickups and Gotoh tuners.
Fender gives Richie Kotzen’s figured-maple topped MIJ signature Strat a global release
Mark Speer of Khruangbin sits with his natural finish Fender Strat while Laura Lee holds her new signature Jazz Bass.
Fender unveils DiMarzio-loaded Strat and Jazz Bass for Khruangbin’s Mark Speer and Laura Lee
Fender Player II Modified Series
Fender remixes its blockbuster Player II range with the Modified Series and got IDLES to demo them
PRS CE 22 Limited Edition
PRS keeps the limited edition releases coming with the return of the classic CE22 bolt-on
Epiphone goes high-end with its Inspired By Gibson Custom 2025 collection: [from left] the '63 Firebird in Polaris White is joined by a 1959 Les Paul Standard, a '64 SG Standard, a 1960 Les Paul Special in TV Yellow and a 1962 ES-335 reissue.
Epiphone expands and upgrades Inspired By Gibson Custom range with 8 stunning "reissue" electrics
Orangewood Del Sol: the new offset is the brand's first ever electric guitar and it was designed in collaboration with Josh Forest of TreeTone Guitars.
Orangewood teams up with TreeTone for its first-ever electric – a baritone offset semi, priced $695
Latest in Guitars
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Bag a whopping $499 off one of our favourite Alesis drum kits, as well as hundreds off Taylor, Gibson, and Gretsch guitars
Carol Kaye, 1966
Bassist Carol Kaye on why she’s “turning down” her Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction invitation
An Electro-Harmonix Oceans Abyss reverb pedal on a wooden floor
“At times it can really feel like more of a multi-effects pedal rather than just a straight reverb pedal”: Electro-Harmonix Oceans Abyss review
EarthQuaker Devices Rancho de la Luna Dirt Transmitter – the return of the OOP fuzz pedal marks 30-plus years of the Joshua Tree studio and comes with all-new artwork.
EarthQuaker Devices joins forces with Rancho de la Luna for the return of a lost fuzz classic
Adrian Smith and Steve Harris of Iron Maiden lock in onstage as they perform Long Beach in 2003. Smith plays his Olympic White Fender Strat. Harris is on his trusty Precision Bass.
Adrian Smith on how Steve Harris is the secret behind Iron Maiden’s triple-guitar attack
Jason Isbell plays a Martin dreadnought onstage in Norway
Jason Isbell has some advice for any young player who has just bought their first acoustic guitar
Latest in News
Sabrina Carpenter
Did Sabrina Carpenter incorporate a melody from Zelda’s Lullaby into Espresso? We’re not so sure
The Who
“I have to be careful what I say": Pete Townshend on Zak Starkey’s protracted dismissal from The Who
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Bag a whopping $499 off one of our favourite Alesis drum kits, as well as hundreds off Taylor, Gibson, and Gretsch guitars
Carol Kaye, 1966
Bassist Carol Kaye on why she’s “turning down” her Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction invitation
The Prodigy
How a novelty sample almost derailed the career of one of the greatest electronic acts of all time
The Who Live Aid
The Who’s Pete Townshend says he’s more of a fan of the Live Aid musical than the gig itself

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...