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EXPLAINED: Fender japan | Rare Historical Photos

“2026 is going to be in the record books as one of the most exciting years for Fender”: Fender has announced its new CEO – what does it mean for the future of the iconic guitar brand? We met Edward ‘Bud’ Cole to find out

Fender’s new CEO pioneered the firm’s most talked-about projects. Now he’s taking his innovative Fender Japan ethos global

Guitar World

“They want their fans to join them on that journey”: Fender is changing the way it approaches signature guitars – and it’s starting with a Japanese pop-rock band named after the Red Hot Chili Peppers

The Chilli Beans Moto Mustang, Lily Cyclone and Maika Mustang Bass are the first Fender Japan signature guitars built in Indonesia – and their beginner-focused spec signals further shifts for the company

Guitar World

“It might be Fender Japan’s biggest collab to date and it’s not even with an artist”: All the new guitar gear that has caught my eye this week – including an affordable recreation of one of Nerdville’s rarest Les Paul Customs

A boatload of new PRS SE models, a new signature for Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, and a monstrous collaboration from Fender Japan all arrived this week

Guitar World

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“At the push of a button, the legendary roar thunders through the amp”: Fender wrangles Godzilla for a monster guitar collaboration – featuring two company firsts

As well as an otherworldly $36,000 Custom Shop Stratocaster with a Godzilla roar button, two Made in Japan models are also packing some flashy new tech

Guitar World

“The big thing was the neck shape that Clapton wanted. We made about a dozen neck samples for him to play”: From Slowhand’s Strat to “tongue-in-cheek” relics, this is the hidden history of the Fender Custom Shop

Fender’s Custom Shop had a precarious start in the mid-1980s, but the story of its formative years is full of big ideas, some bizarre instruments, and a queue of famous guitarists

Guitar World

“The Japan team is free to create guitars with a fresh perspective”: Fender Japan remains a mystery to the western world. I went behind the scenes and found out why its guitars are so radically different – and what’s stopping them reaching the US

Fender Japan makes some of the iconic guitar firm’s most exciting products, but we know very little about how it operates… until now

Guitar World

“One of metal’s most coveted and exclusive amps was finally brought to the masses… for a few hours, at least”: This is all the new guitar gear that has caught my eye this week – and how about that dreamy Stratocaster/Jazzmaster hybrid?

An Ariel Posen signature Strat, Jimmy Page’s latest Sundragon amp and a reissue of Metallica's hallowed IIC++ all dropped during a busy week for guitar gear

Guitar World

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“Captures the spirit of 1960s flower power”: Fender Japan taps into the Summer of Love and revives an unconventional classic with new Blue Flower Series

Three Fender models are dressed in the floral design, which emerged in the 1960s alongside the revered Paisley finish

Guitar World

Fender Japan celebrates the ’60s with the return of its Traditional Collection – which features a rare Competition Jazzmaster

The collection’s Class of 2025 offers the firm’s premium craftsmanship and a raft of nostalgic colorways

Guitar World

“Some of the most ambitious custom shop guitars I’ve ever seen”: These are the gear releases that have caught my eye this week – and the essential launches you might have missed

New drops from JHS Pedals, Fender, Victory, and more that need to be on your radar this week

Guitar World

“Tokai’s LS series are probably the best-built Les Paul-style guitars that have ever come through my shop”: How the Japanese guitar market came of age with ’80s Fender and Gibson clones – some that would rival the originals

You can’t tell the story of the Japanese guitar industry without the story of the clones – Keith Anderson of Japanese specialist Gas Station Guitars explains the history of the high-quality knock-offs that made its reputation

Guitar World

Fender Japan assembles all-star group of elite Masterbuilders for its most ambitious builds yet – the Deck O’ Cards Stratocasters

The four high-end builds, inspired by each suit from a deck of cards, represent the pinnacle of Fender Japan's guitar artistry

Guitar World

“Captures the essence of cherry blossoms”: Fender Japan stakes a claim for 2025’s most breathtaking electric guitar with the Sakura Telecaster

Get us to Fender Flagship Tokyo immediately

Guitar World

A Starmaster is born: Fender Japan sticks a Starcaster headstock on a Jazzmaster for a limited run offset – and there is an Antigua finish option too just in case this didn't look radical enough

Coolest hybrid ever or oddball offset experimentation gone wild?

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Guitar World

Fender Japan unveils the Starmaster – a Jazzmaster/Starcaster hybrid that could be the most divisive Fender offset of them all

The Starmaster is even available in Antigua – one of the most loved/hated finishes in Fender history

Guitar World

“It has 24 frets, which is rare even for a Stratocaster”: Fender Japan and J-Pop guitar hero Rei have launched one of the most inventive Strats in recent years – and it’s got 24 frets and the neck of an unsung 1970s model

The bold reimagining is a curious mash-up of classic and contemporary specs, resulting in a Strat like no other

Guitar World

“A simple and beautiful guitar that is like a warm piece of furniture”: Fender Japan leans into the gear furniture trend with the Fragment Telecaster – a fresh take on the traditional rosewood Tele template

Featuring a rare rosewood and alder body and traditional 1960s specs, the Hiroshi Fujiwara-designed beauty represents one of 2024’s most unique Telecasters

Wallpaper

Fender Hello Kitty Stratocaster marks 50 years of Sanrio’s finest cartoon cat

Hello Kitty reaches her half-century in 2025 and Fender Japan is out to celebrate with guitars and new merchandise, including a revival of its cult Squier Hello Kitty Stratocaster

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Guitar World

“A heavy, luxurious appearance”: Fender Japan doubles down on its newfound affinity for sandblasting by putting an irresistible spin on its blackout Hybrid II models

Fender's experimental branch introduced some sandblasted Hybrid II instruments earlier this year – but they've been trumped by these stealthy designs, which all flaunt that unusual finishing technique

Guitar World

“Blazes a trail into new sonic territory”: Fender Japan gives the Cabronita Telecaster a radical mini-humbucker revamp by loading the Gretsch/Fender hybrid with new high-end pickups

The experimental branch of the Big F has given the quirky Tele a tonal overhaul by swapping the hi-fo Fidelitrons for DiMarzio pickups

Guitar World

“There have been many requests for it to be re-released”: Fender Japan answers players’ calls and revives its cult 12-string Stratocasters and Telecasters for the first time in over a decade

Fender first put out a 12-string electric in the 1960s, and it's been over 10 years since we last saw the firm produce expanded Strat and Tele models

Guitar World

Fender Japan continues its adventures in flamed-top guitars with new never-before-seen Hybrid Series II finishes

The firm continues to push the aesthetic boundaries of some of its most iconic guitar templates with Twilight and Sunset Orange Metallic colorways

MusicRadar

Fender Japan brings master ukiyo-e artist Hokusai's work to the Esquire

There's going to be a great wave of excitement for these

Guitar World

“A special guitar that features art by world-renowned artists”: Fender Japan’s latest Art Canvas creations bring an iconic Japanese art landscape print series from the 1800s to the Esquire

The three models celebrate the first anniversary of Fender's flagship Tokyo store, and each boasts a piece from legendary Japanese artist Hokusai's famed Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji series

Guitar World

“A unique look and function”: Fender Japan has revived the cult classic Cyclone – and it might be the most desirable Fender offset of the year

The Mustang-esque model has been brought back to life with a few choice upgrades

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