Fender Unveils Hot and Spicy California Series Guitars

July 11, 1997 -- Mention California and, almost immediately, images of golden sunshine, orange groves, surfing and movie stars come to mind. Thanks to Fender Musical Instruments, get ready to add "guitars" to that list as the company has just unveiled its stunning California Series: the California Strat., California FAT Strat and California FAT Tele®

"The California Series came about thanks to the joint efforts of Fender's Corona, California factory and its Baja California Norte, Ensenada, Mexico facility," noted Mike Lewis, marketing manager for Fender's electric guitar division. "The bodies and necks are shaped by Fender's craftsmen in Corona and subsequently hand-painted at our ultra-modern facility in Mexico. Final assembly, including the installation of vintage hardware and electronics, is then completed in Corona. All three instruments are marked by exceptional attention to detail, tonal quality and playability."

For starters, the California Strat boasts a classic Strat design with Tex-Mex Trio pickups that pack enough firepower and spice to humble a jalapeno. The California FAT Strat features a U.S.-made Fender humbucker paired with two single coil Tex-Mex pickups in the neck and middle positions. "They're very punchy, but not over the top," Lewis explained. The California FAT Tele houses a U.S.-made Fender Tele humbucker in the neck position matched with a Tex-Mex Tele pickup in the bridge position. "That combination allows players a variety of tones ranging from stinging, sustaining leads and cool, clean single notes to vintage Tele 'snap'," Lewis added.

Features common to each California Series instrument include an alder body, tinted maple neck equipped with medium jumbo frets, U.S. vintage hardware and electronics. All three models are also available in Black, Candy Apple Red, Brown Sunburst, Fiesta Red and Vintage White finishes. U.S. suggested retail prices, including gig bags, are: $799.99 for the California Strat, $849.99 for the California FAT Strat, and $849.99 for the California FAT Tele.

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