Fender Performer series

[Sean Parsons]

Looks like the updated American Special series has arrived.

Three basses including P bass, Jazz and a Mustang.

Fender launches American Performer Series with 9 new guitars and basses | MusicRadar

 

[TolerancEJ]

It's cool to have a new American Special alternative, but I wish they went with a different model name than Performer. The new line of instruments is affecting my Reverb subscribed search, of which the intention is Fender's 1985-1987 line of Performers manufactured in Japan.

 

[Lesfunk]

They don’t look anything like a fender Performer

 

[Lesfunk]

 

[TolerancEJ]

They don’t look anything like a fender Performer

I know what the previous Fender Performer looked like. The new instruments are flooding my timeline now.

 

[Sean Parsons]

Not sure that was ever the idea. Just a naming convention.

But I did think the American Specials were a well made and well priced range so I imagine these will be a popular range.

I’d imagine these have little incremental upgrades that might make a difference as was the case from the standard to pro series.

 

[Gorn]

I like the Mustang. I thought it was odd how they had a precision pickup in the Mexican Mustang PJ instead of the standard Mustang pickup along with the jazz.

 

[Pet Sounds]

Has anybody been clamoring for a revival of the Greasebucket circuit?

 

[jd56hawk]

It's cool to have a new American Special alternative, but I wish they went with a different model name than Performer. The new line of instruments is affecting my Reverb subscribed search, of which the intention is Fender's 1985-1987 line of Performers manufactured in Japan.

They were going to call it the USAffordable line, but...

 

[KansasCityBassDude]

Meh, not impressed. Other manufacturers seem to be coming out with better basses at lower costs nowadays. With the million of used instruments that are floating around and still in great shape there's little reason to buy one new at that cost.

If Fender is going to save itself it has to reach kids where they are today. Selling overpriced instruments that only professionals buy isn't the way to do it.

 

[Yahboy]

The Satin Surf green jazz are cool looking bass!!!

But the Performers P only come with Sunburst, placid blue, white and new Penny colour option. The sunburst and placid blue just like Squier VM PJ , and the white performers P pretty like Squier Affinity PJ if you dint look at Fender logo at headstock.

And, no enough information on Yosemite pickup. Ceramic , Alnico or Neo ?

Plus, wrong information on bridge, string through ??? But I only found a bent bridge with Am Pro bridge saddles.

Grease bucket again???? I believe add a bass boost knob are more usable.

My2cents

 

[Gorn]

Has anybody been clamoring for a revival of the Greasebucket circuit?

Not clamoring, but I had a few American specials with the grease bucket and didn't have any problem with them like it seems so many people have. They all sounded fine.

 

[Duder]

 

[Lownote38]

Only black pick guards other than for one color on the Mustang Bass??? No thanks. Black just doesn't go with everything.

 

[filler83]

I don't see graphite support rods noted in the description in these necks, but has a heel access. Anyone know if these will have graphite support rods?

 

[MtManiac]

I've noticed the new naming conventions put the emphasis on the customer, rather than the bass - American Deluxe is now the Elite, American Standard is now the Professional, the Standard is now the Player, and the American Special is now the Performer.

That doesn't follow for the American Vintage Reissues, which are now the American Originals, but that name does position them versus the Classics, neither of which is classic or original of course, but there's a similarity between the two names, as there is a similarity between Player, Performer, Professional, and Elite.

Some people seem to get all bent out of shape when Fender introduces a name change, they're always disappointed because there's no nitro, no sea foam green, there's a J pickup on a P bass, no 7.25" radius, they cost too much (yet again) or there's no five string option. There are those who complain because Fender never does anything new or different, and those who complain when they do something new. It's kinda draining, as it happens multiple times every year.

We haven't had a copper P bass before, to my knowledge - not my thing, but that's pretty cool. We also haven't had a Lake Placid Blue American P bass outside the Vintage Reissue line to my recollection. It's got a J pickup, great! There's a Jazz in sea foam green, awesome! Enough griping, already, if you don't like it, who do you think cares?

 

[Lesfunk]

I know what the previous Fender Performer looked like. The new instruments are flooding my timeline now.

I wasn’t implying any ignorance on your part.
My comment was only a bit facetious

 

[Raitis Neitals]

Do you think there will be 5 string versions as well?

 

[tpaul]

I've noticed the new naming conventions put the emphasis on the customer, rather than the bass - American Deluxe is now the Elite, American Standard is now the Professional, the Standard is now the Player, and the American Special is now the Performer.

What if you're not an elite, a professional, a player or a performer? Where's the Fender Poser series?

 

[Sean Parsons]

Poser series has been shelved as the marketing team preferred Fender Fanboy which has a nicer ring to it.

Joking aside, it is surprising to read some of the comments. I had no idea that so many judged guitars on things like pick guard colours and names not to mention hatred of the continuous development of classic guitars. Very odd reception.

I never tried one of the American Special basses but did own the Telecaster which was great and very hard to beat at that price.

I'm looking forward to trying out the Performer Precision when I come across one in the shops.

Hands and ears are still the best way to judge.