Fender ’50s FSR Stratocaster and a P-90 Telecaster
Two new Fender Special Runs for later this year
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Fender limited run ’50s FSR Stratocaster and P-90-equipped Telecaster · Source: Fender/Thomann
Fender has just announced a pair of new guitars. The ’50s FSR Stratocaster and a P-90-equipped Telecaster are both classic mainstays for the American company, but these two are Fender Special Runs and therefore have a slightly different set of specifications to the normal runs of these models.
P-90 Telecaster
The Limited Edition ’50s Telecaster comes with an ash body, maple neck classic “C” shape profile and a 7.25-inch radius fingerboard. It has a vintage style traditional Tele ‘ash tray’ bridge with three chrome saddles and Lake Placid Blue finish with a cool looking faux tortoise shell pickguard.
What really sets it apart from a regular Telecaster is of course that P-90 pickup configuration for the neck position. This is paired with a more traditional American Vintage ’58 bridge pickup.
I personally love P-90 pickups and so see this FSR as a really nice addition to Fender’s range. Even though it is a subtle change, I believe it is a worthwhile one and also one that does make a marked difference to the tonal character of a guitar. Plus, I really do like the Lake Placid Blue, maple neck and tortoise shell pickguard combination. So aesthetically I think it looks great on this guitar.
RRP – GBP 769 due out in November inc Tweed Case
Fender FSR P-90 loaded Telecaster in Lake Placid Blue · Source: Fender/Thomann
’50s FSR Stratocaster
Next up is the classic ’50s style Stratocaster and this one comes in a rather fetching (if you like that sort of thing) Fiesta Red finish and gold hardware combination. It’s a little too ‘Hank Marvin’ for my tastes, but I know lots of players do like this colour scheme. Whatever floats your boat I suppose.
Again it is the traditional alder body, Soft “V” profile maple neck and 7.25-inch radius fingerboard of a ’50s Strat and has the obligatory vintage-style Synchronized tremolo system. So you can do your subtle ‘Apache’ warbles whilst you two-step around the stage in a two-piece suit.
This time you get a set of American Vintage ’56 single coil pickups loaded and the usual 5-way switch, Volume and dual Tone control setup of a traditional Stratocaster.
I love Strats, but I have to say that I personally find this one a bit lack lustre and not as exciting as that P-90 loaded Telecaster above. Of course, you may love it and as I have already mentioned, this one is probably going to appeal to a certain demographic. I know it isn’t the correct colour for a real Shadows fan, but it does evoke that era of the guitar to me.
RRP – GBP 769 due out in November inc Tweed Case
Fender FSR ’50s Stratocaster in Fiesta Red · Source: Fender/Thomann
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