Fender releases the limited-edition Whiteguard Strat

Earlier this year, Fender released a lovechild of a Stratocaster and a Telecaster as part of its Parallel Universe series. Now, the brand has officially launched a sibling of that hybrid instrument, called the Whiteguard Strat.

Where the Strat-Tele Hybrid sports Strat features on a Tele body, the Whiteguard Strat reverses the formula: It features the sleek body of a Stratocaster, but with Telecaster appointments that deliver that classic twang.

The characteristic tone comes from a set of period-correct Custom Shop ’51 Nocaster single-coils. Fender claims these accurately mimic the pickups on the original Nocaster guitars, that had a tight low end and clear midrange. Which means the Whiteguard Strat fits the bill for anything from chicken-pickin’ country to James Brown-style funk.

Elsewhere, it features an ash body, modern “C”-shaped maple neck, American Professional Tele bridge, master “Volume” and “Tone” knobs, a 9.5-inch-radius maple fretboard, and a three-way pickup switch.

Lists for $1,999.99. More information at fender.com.