Fender Offers New Folk and Bluegrass Instruments

February 3, 2000 -- Fender Acoustics will expand its line this year in an effort to round out its family of traditional folk and bluegrass instruments. In addition to the recently revived Fender FV-1 violin, the new acoustic line will also include a resonator guitar and three all new mandolins.

Rizzuto states, "Retailers often call me and ask when we're going to come out with something like this. Aside from bluegrass-style music, many of today's rock and alternative bands use mandolins, violins and resonators to add a fresh sound to their mix."

The new Fender FR-50 is a resonator designed for the beginning bluegrass, blues or rock guitar player. It is a traditional round neck resonator with a mahogany body and neck that emphasize a loud, mellow mid-range response. The spruce top alleviates some of the added weight of the steel resonating unit, while also contributing to its sustain and volume.

The FR-50 has a rosewood fingerboard with snowflake inlays and die-cast tuners. For an added touch of style, this resonator has f-holes that are exactly that - sound ports in the shape of the signature Fender "F". The FR-50 will be available in January, 2000. United States MSRP is $459.00.

The three latest additions to Fender's line of mandolins have been designed with the semi-professional and professional musician in mind. All are high quality, classic hollow body mandolins with traditional style and proper appointments.

Heading up the new line is the FM-63S. This is an 8-string mandolin made with a solid carved spruce top and solid maple body featuring a carved back. These light woods offer a very bright, jazzy tone with a brilliant response.

The FM-63S comes with a high gloss sunburst finish that accentuates its traditional "scrolled F" style body. A Fender signature flared headstock tops the maple neck, which features an ebony fingerboard and intricate inlay pattern.

Next in line is the FM-61SE. The design of this new mandolin is very reminiscent to the Fender solid body mandolin that was originally produced throughout the 1960s.

Also an 8-string, the FM-61SE is made with a solid spruce top, solid nato back and sides, and it has a rosewood fingerboard atop its maple neck. There is one single coil pickup mounted on a white pearl pickguard, as well as master volume and tone controls. Finishing off its aesthetics is the single, traditionally shaped f-hole.

Rounding off this new line of mandolins is the FM-60E. This 5-string mandolin offers the added versatility of a low "C" string.

The FM-60E is actually tuned to the key of "C" (C-G-D-A-E), with the added fifth "C" string offering an extended low-end range, which provides the flexibility of enhanced solo work and a wider possible array of chord voicings.

The chambered body of the FM-60E has a flame maple top with a sunburst finish, and solid basswood sides and back. It also features a maple neck and rosewood fingerboard, dual single coil pickups and master volume and tone controls.

All of the mandolins in the new line will be available in January, 2000. United States MSRP for these models are as follows: the FM-63S is $849.99; the FM-61SE is $479.99; and the FM-60E is $499.99.

For more information contact Fender at www.fender.com.