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Fender Japan pays homage to vintage guitar DNA with the new Heritage Series

Fender Japan has unveiled the Heritage Series, a line-up of 11 new guitars and basses that pay homage to 50s, 60s and 70s models.

Fender MIJ Heritage Series 50s Stratocaster

Made In Japan Heritage ’50s Stratocaster in Two-Colour Sunburst / All Images: Fender

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Fender Japan has unveiled the Heritage Series, a line-up of 11 new guitars and basses that pay homage to 50s, 60s and 70s models.

Supervised by Mark Kendrick, Senior Master Builder at Fender Custom Shop, the series aims to deliver vintage Fender DNA by combining quality Japanese craftsmanship with designs referenced from various vintage instruments and original US drawing archives. The series’ commitment to period-accuracy extends from vintage tones – via authentic pickup designs – to throwback aesthetics and original specs. The latter includes features like logo and decal designs.

According to the brand, these guitars will only be available to the Japanese market.

Here’s a closer look at the line-up:

Guitars

Made in Japan Heritage ‘50s Stratocaster

Fender MIJ Heritage Series 50s Stratocaster

The first of the series is a faithful recreation of the original Stratocaster introduced in 1954, played by the likes of Ike Turner, Hank Marvin and Buddy Holly. It features a set of Premium Vintage-Style 50s Single-Coil Strat pickups, an ash body and a Soft V maple neck, as well as a bone nut for tuning stability. It also sports a Nitrocellulose Lacquer Over Urethane Finish available in 2-Colour Sunburst and White Blonde.

Made in Japan Heritage ‘60s Stratocaster

Fender MIJ Heritage Series 60s Stratocaster

Paying homage to the instruments used in the 60s, this alder Stratocaster features a Thick C maple neck with rosewood fingerboard and a set of Premium Vintage-Style ‘60s Single-Coil Strat pickups.

Nitrocellulose Lacquer Over Urethane Finish in 3-Colour Sunburst.

Made in Japan Heritage ‘70s Stratocaster

Fender MIJ Heritage Series 70s Stratocaster

The late 60s saw several refinements to the Stratocaster design, and it’s reflected in this model. In addition to a set of Premium Vintage-Style ‘70s Single-Coil Strat pickups, this guitar features an early 70s C-shaped maple neck and a rosewood fingerboard.

Gloss Polyester Finish in Natural.

Made in Japan Heritage ‘50s Telecaster

Fender MIJ Heritage Series Telecaster 50s WBL

Modelled after the original Telecaster introduced in 1951 by Leo Fender, this guitar features an ash body and a 1952 U-shaped maple neck. Tone is provided by a set of Premium Vintage-Style ‘50s Tele pickups, and tuning stability is courtesy of a Strings-Through vintage bridge that features brass barrel saddles.

Nitrocellulose Lacquer Over Urethane Finish available in Butterscotch Blonde or White Blonde.

Made in Japan Heritage ‘60s Telecaster Custom

This Telecaster is modelled after the ones produced by Fender in the 1960s. Following steady factory production, several changes were made to the design that are reflected in this recreation. It sports an alder body with ‘60s C-shaped maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard. It also has a set of Premium Vintage-Style ‘60s Tele pickups and a bridge with Threaded Steel Barrel Saddles.

Nitrocellulose Lacquer Over Urethane Finish in 3-Colour Sunburst.

Made in Japan Heritage ‘60s Telecaster Thinline

The original Thinline Telecaster was developed as an experiment by luthier Roger Rossmeisl to produce a semi-hollow Telecaster out of a surplus of ash wood. When it was introduced in 1968, it was played by the likes of country legend Conway Twitty and soul-meister Curtis Mayfield. The Heritage series Thinline is a faithful recreation of the original, with an ash body, 60s C-shaped maple neck and Premium Vintage-Style ‘60s Tele pickups.

Available in 3-Colour Sunburst.

Made in Japan Heritage ‘60s Jazzmaster

Fender MIJ Heritage Series 60s Jazzmaster

A favourite among surf rockers of the 60s for its rhythm and lead circuit and tremolo system, the Jazzmaster has seen a strong resurgence in recent years. This reproduction of the ‘60s Jazzmaster comes in two varieties: alder and ash, both featuring a set of Premium Vintage-Style ‘60s Jazzmaster Single-Coil Pickups.

Nitrocellulose Lacquer Over Urethane Finish available in 3-Colour Sunburst (alder) and White Blonde (ash).

Basses

Made in Japan Heritage ‘50s Precision Bass

Fender MIJ Heritage Series 50s P Bass

The MIJ Heritage ‘50s Precision Bass pays tribute to the original Precision Bass that Fender introduced in 1951. It features an alder body with a thick C-shaped maple neck. Like the guitar models in the series, it features a period-correct pup in the form of the Premium Vintage-Style 50s Single-Coil P Bass pickup. It also has a 1-ply gold anodized aluminium pickguard.

Nitrocellulose Lacquer Over Urethane Finish in 2-Colour Sunburst.

Made in Japan Heritage ‘60s Precision Bass

Fender MIJ Heritage Series 60s P Bass

Modelled after the ‘60s P Basses as famously played by Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, and Carol Kaye of the Wrecking Crew, it was in the 1960s that the P Bass gained its reputation as a workhorse bass guitar. The Heritage series ‘60s P Bass matches an alder body with a 1963 C-shaped maple neck, and houses a Premium Vintage-Style 60s Single-Coil P Bass pickup.

Available in 3-Colour Sunburst.

Made in Japan Heritage ‘60s Jazz Bass

The introduction of the Fender Jazz Bass saw some major design differences from the P Bass. It featured a slimmer neck profile around the nut, and a whole new pickup configuration for tonal versatility. The Heritage series ‘60s Jazz Bass has an alder body with a 60s C-shaped maple neck and features two Premium Vintage-Style 60s Single-Coil Jazz Bass pickups.

Available in 3-Colour Sunburst and Olympic White.

Made in Japan Heritage ‘70s Jazz Bass

Fender MIJ Heritage Series 70s Jazz Bass

Rounding up this line-up is the 70s incarnation of the Fender Jazz Bass. This model features a 1975 U-shaped maple neck and body that houses a set of Premium Vintage-Style 70s Single-Coil Jazz Bass pickups. The maple fingerboard also incorporates white pearloid block inlays and in keeping with historical accuracy, Pure Vintage ‘70s tuning machines with the Fender logo.

Gloss Polyester Finish in Natural.

The Heritage series will be available in Japanese markets soon.

Learn more at Fender.com. For more gear news, click here.

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