FMIC (Fender) Files to Go Public

Millions of guitar players own a Fender guitar, but now they have an opportunity to own a bit of the company that makes them, as well. Fender Musical Instruments Corp., said in regulatory filings today that it plans to sell as much as $200 million worth of stock in an initial public offering.

Some shares will be sold by Fender and some by FMIC individual owners, the Scottsdale, Arizona-based company said today in a regulatory filing. JPMorgan Securities LLC and William Blair & Co. LLC are advising on the proposed offering. No further details were announced.

“We intend to extend our reach to a broader global consumer base,” Fender said. The brand is “closely associated with the birth of rock ‘n roll and has a strong legacy in music and in popular culture.”

About $100 million of the initial public offering’s proceeds will go to pay debt, said FMIC. Fender intends to list the “FNDR” symbol on the Nasdaq, but didn’t set a price target on its stock. The company also did not say when it intends to go public.

Fender said it posted net income attributable to common stockholders of $3.2 million in 2011, from a net loss of $17.3 million the year before. Revenue grew 13 percent to $700.6 million from $617.8 million.

The market for musical instruments was worth $15.8 billion globally in 2010, according to the filing.

More info on this development when it becomes available.

New Fender Blacktop Series Baritone Tele

Fender’s “Blacktop” series of guitars is relatively new — but the line is already expanding. Today Fender introduces 3 new Blacktop Series guitars, including the Blacktop Baritone Telecaster. Along with the Baritone Tele, Fender is introducing a Blacktop Stratocaster HSH and a Blacktop Jaguar 90. These guitars are true to the “blacktop” credo of modern tones from humbucking pickups and more in your face hardware choices for “modern” (read: Heavy) players.

A true baritone Telecaster with a 27” scale, low B-to-B tuning, and a versatile triple-pickup configuration—including a humbucking bridge pickup—that goes from tic-tac to twang. The Blacktop Baritone Tele features an alder body, maple neck, 9.5”-radius rosewood fretboard with 22 medium jumbo frets and aged white position markers, single-coil Telecaster neck and middle pickups, humbucking bridge pickup, five-way pickup switching, three-ply pickguard (black-white-black), skirted black amp knobs (volume and tone) and black switch tip, Blacktop Telecaster bridge and chrome hardware.

Finish options include Classic Copper, Ghost Silver and Three-color Sunburst. The Blacktop Baritone Telecaster has a MSRP of $739.99

For more info on the Blacktop Baritone Telecaster visit Fender’s Blacktop Series website.

Fender’s Custom Shop Introduces New Collection

Later this month the Annual Winter NAMM Show takes place in Anaheim and that means it it’s prime time for new Fender Custom Shop model introductions. This morning the Fender Custom Shop has provided us with the info on some new goods for 2012 Winter NAMM.The 2012 Limited Collection includes 10 new models including 5 Telecasters, 4 Stratocasters and one Jazz bass.

The first two Teles are the Custom Shop’s homage to the famous “Nocaster” with their release of the 1951 New Old Stock (NOS) Nocaster and the 1951 Relic Nocaster. Both models feature a hand-selected ash body with a Nocaster Blonde finish, and include all-new Twisted Tele pickups designed by Fender’s skilful Master Builders, giving the model’s historical significance and modern performance. For added authentic feel, the 1951 Relic Nocaster features special aging treatment, evoking the magic of an aged, Fender classic. Other features include a one-piece maple neck with early-’50s U shape, maple fingerboard with 9.5-inch radius and 6105 frets, three-way pickup switch with custom modern Tele wiring, nickel hardware, case and certificate of authenticity.

In the early ’60s, the Custom Telecaster instantly became a classic with its double-bound body and striking appearance. And for 2012 the CS is recreating the classic with the 1961 Relic Telecaster Custom. Featuring a double-bound, hand-selected lightweight ash body, maple neck with an early-’60s C shape, rosewood fingerboard with 9.5-inch radius and 6105 frets, all-new Twisted Tele pickups with three-way switching, nickel hardware, case and certificate of authenticity. Available in Black and Faded, Three-Tone Sunburst.

A remarkable new guitar, the 2012 Closet Classic Telecaster Pro sports a body fashioned from swamp ash with Closet Classic lacquer finish. Other features include an access heel, quartersawn maple neck with a mid-’50s (10/’56) V shape, 22-fret maple or rosewood fingerboard with 9.5-inch radius and medium jumbo frets, new Twisted Tele pickups with three-way switching and modern wiring, vintage hardware, and a Greasebucket tone circuit. Available in Black, Dakota Red, and Nocaster blonde.

The 2012 Custom Deluxe Telecaster is exactly that – a deluxe model with refined, custom features and the most exotic selection of wood for the highest-quality sound. The Tele features a hand-selected lightweight ash body with access heel and AAA quilted maple veneer top, satin-finished AA flame maple neck with C shape and a 22-fret maple or rosewood fingerboard with 9.5” radius and medium jumbo frets, chrome hardware with pearl button tuners, and a case and certificate for authenticity. The 2012 Custom Deluxe Telecaster features Twisted Tele pickups, custom Tele wiring, and a Greasebucket tone circuit. They are available in Faded Honey Burst, Candy Red, and Faded Cherry Sunburst.

In the Non-Tele categories, the Custom Shop is also introducing four new Stratocaster models and a 1961 Closet Classic Jazz Bass. For info on the Stratocaster models, see our Strat sister-site, www.strat-talk.com. To learn about them all vist the Fender Custom Shop website.

We’ll have more info and photos from the 2012 Winter NAMM show in the next few weeks. So, check back later.

Fender Introduces “Select Series” Telecasters

Prior to the NAMM feeding frenzy Fender is introducing a series of new guitars and basses called: the Fender Select series. Designed as “Select instruments for select individuals“, the five guitars and two basses in the series are described by Fender as “offering choice tone woods, figured tops, beautiful finishes, figured and quartersawn maple necks with compound-radius fretboards, specially voiced Fender Select pickups, and other first-rate features”. Fender claims that the U.S.-made Select Series presents Fender’s finest selection.

The Fender Select Telecaster® enhances the look of the simple Telecaster with a Violin Burst gloss-lacquer finish and natural binding on a honeycomb-chambered ash body with a solid flame maple top. It sports modern “C” shaped birdseye maple neck with a contoured heel, Bi-Flex™ truss rod, a satin lacquer back finish and rear-headstock “Fender Select” medallion. The compound radius birdseye maple fretboard (9.5”-14”) has 22 medium jumbo frets, black pearloid position inlays and a gloss lacquer finish. Pickups are the new Fender Select Telecaster single-coil neck and bridge pickups with three-way switching and a no-load tone control. Other features include a three-ply pickguard (parchment-black-parchment), knurled chrome knobs, American Telecaster bridge with new American Standard bent steel saddles and stamped brass plate, deluxe staggered cast/sealed locking tuners and nickel-chrome hardware. The Fender Select Telecaster has a MSRP of $2,999.99.

The Fender Select Carved Koa Top Telecaster offers a Sienna Edge Burst gloss-lacquer finish on a lightweight empress body with a carved Koa wood top. Its modern “C” shaped flame maple neck has a Bi-Flex™ truss rod, a satin lacquer back finish and rear-headstock “Fender Select” medallion, compound radius rosewood fretboard (9.5”-14”) has 22 medium jumbo frets, white pearloid position inlays and a gloss lacquer finish. Pickups again are the new Fender Select Telecaster single-coil neck and bridge pickups with three-way switching and a no-load tone control. Also included are knurled chrome knobs, American Telecaster bridge with new American Standard bent steel saddles and stamped brass plate, deluxe staggered cast/sealed locking tuners and nickel-chrome hardware. The MSRP of the Carved Koa model is $3,499.99.

The Fender Select Carved Maple Top Telecaster shares the features above, with the exception of an Amber gloss-lacquer finish, carved flame maple top and black pearloid position inlays. The MSRP of the Select Carved Maple Top Tele is $3,499.99.

Along with the three Telecasters, the Select Series also includes a Fender Select Stratocaster, a Select Stratocaster HSS, a Select Precision Bass and a Select Jazz Bass.

All Fender Select series models come with a Custom G&G Fender Select case and accessories including a strap, cable and polishing cloth. For more information, go to www.fender.com.

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