Fender Introduces Squier Venus Guitars

July 11, 1997 -- According to Roman mythology, Venus was the goddess of love and beauty. The latter quality definitely comes to mind when talking about Fender Musical Instruments' recently introduced Venus and Venus Xll guitars -- two superb instruments that blend untraditional designs and body shapes for a unique visual and sonic experience.

"The Venus was co-designed by Courtney Love [wife of the late Kurt Cobain, as well as vocalist, guitarist and songwriter with Hole] and the Fender Custom Shop," noted Joe Carducci, marketing manager for Fender's imported electric guitars division. "This new model has already attracted a lot of excitement with not only women guitarists, but with guys as well. The Venus offers unique features with awesome tone for any gender of guitar player who may be searching for an axe that's 'different'."

For starters, the Venus' humbucking pickup in the bridge position provides a fat tone for screaming solos, while the Vintage Strat single coil pickup in the neck position delivers just the right dosage of clarity and bite. The Venus XII features two Seymour Duncan special design pickups for that warm, clear tone players crave.

Both guitars boast a basswood body, white shell pickguard and maple neck that features a matching painted headstock and 22-fret rosewood fingerboard. Hardware on both consists of an adjustable string-through-body bridge conically designed to deliver optimum tone at both low- and high-volume levels, and traditional machine heads.

The Venus and Venus XII are available in Surf Green, Black and Sunburst. U.S. suggested retail prices, including gig bags, are $699.99 for the Venus and $999.99 for the Venus XII.

For more information, visit their web site at www.fender.com.