The new Helix® guitar line was inspired by a hugely successful launch of the Lace Helix® bass in 2008. The Helix's accolades and acceptance worldwide by bass players last year inspired our newest model to debut at Winter NAMM 2009.

This initial launch features three distinct models defined by their finish and pickups.

HG01 is equipped with three of the revolutionary patented Lace Alumitones®. Two single coil versions for the neck and middle, followed by a new Lowboy™ Alumitone® humbucker in the bridge. Gloss black is the standard color.

HG02 is designed with the Lace® Drop &Gain™ humbuckers;, with all black hardware and a special matte black finish. This model is designed for a Heavy Metal sound.

HG03 features three of the Lace® Hot-Gold single coil pickups along with a precision tremolo. It is available in gloss black.

Fender's new Road Worn™ Series guitars and basses come with a head start on history and bring the player the best of both worlds—a killer aged design aesthetic that conjures up the ghosts of past music lives, paired perfectly with the modern functionality, playability and high-quality that players know to expect from Fender.

Based on classic Fender instruments of the 1950s and ’60s, and production methods invented at the world-renowned Fender Custom Shop, Road Worn instruments reflect the mystic quality of life on the road.  The series consists of a ’50s Tele®, ’50s Strat®, ’60s Strat, ’50s Precision Bass® and ’60s Jazz Bass® guitars.

All models feature notably distressed nitrocellulose lacquer-finished bodies, as well as worn chrome hardware (nickel/chrome for basses), to create an aged appearance.  Additionally, while the guitars have been designed with period-correct specifications, several modern upgrades have been built into each model, including Tex Mex™ single-coil pickups, larger 6105 frets, and five-way pickup switches (Strat models).

It was during the massive 2007-2008 Van Halen tour that the all-new EVH Wolfgang guitar went through extensive live "road testing" performance trials. The tour kicked off in fall 2007, and Eddie punished early versions of the new Wolfgang each night; playing every updated prototype onstage under the full, unfiltered spotlight of his fans. The results are reflected in the EVH Wolfgang guitar; produced to Eddie's exact specifications and with features identical to the Wolfgang guitars he records and performs with.

"A guitar is a very personal extension of the person playing it. You have to be emotionally and spiritually connected to your instrument. I could have just stayed at home and built this guitar for myself. I do this because a lot of people ask if they can get what I use. Well, yes you can and what you get is identical to what I use," commented Eddie. "From the basics of the guitar to painstaking aspects like the binding and everything else-we re-did everything on this guitar."

The Fender Standard Series, one of the world’s most popular electric guitar and bass series, recently received upgrades that include new finishes, tinted necks, parchment pickguards/control knobs and ‘70s-style logos.

The series, which was first introduced in the 1980s, is made-up of a Telecaster and several Stratocaster guitar models, including: Standard Strat HSS, Standard Strat HSS with Floyd Rose™ and Standard “Roland® Ready” Stratocaster guitars.  Additionally, the series is made-up of a Precision Bass guitar and fretted and fretless Jazz Bass® models.

“The Standard Series is the entry-point into the Fender branded guitar and bass lines,” said Justin Norvell, director of marketing, Fender electric guitars.  “Fender has always been committed to both dealer and consumer value, and this latest refreshment has increased the value proposition for both.  Some of the changes may sound somewhat minor, but they represent a massive positive change from a visual standpoint.  In plain terms, the new instruments look more expensive, which should increase their desirability and turn at the retail level.”