New Fender American Performer Timber Collection

[JDB2]

Looks like the recent speculation about the demise of the American Performer series was premature. Instead, Fender figured out a way to make them more expensive! That said, I think these new "Timber Collection" models look really nice, and I'm already a fan of the American Performer series.

Link here: American Performer Timber Collection

 

[badscrew_projects]

Didn't they use wood before already?

 

[Killing Floor]

Didn't they use wood before already?

Yes but they didn’t yell timber

 

[AAT65]

Nothing wrong with them (except that two out of three finishes are bursts ) but not the most exciting limited editions I’ve heard of.

 

[tele12]

Didn't they use wood before already?

These are different woods.
Sassafras, cedar and pine.

 

[Dan German]

Timber or lumber?

 

[kuch]

I think I'll wait.....

 

[JDB2]

I like this pine body Tele. It looks a lot like a Jason Isbell Tele without the binding and relicing. In the Sweetwater photos the satin finish looks a little dull though. I wonder if it could be buffed up to more of a gloss.

 

[JDB2]

Nothing wrong with them (except that two out of three finishes are bursts ) but not the most exciting limited editions I’ve heard of.

Fender's marketing data must indicate that bursts are not as unpopular as one would think based on some opinions expressed on TDPRI.

 

[stxrus]

I don’t mind a burst. Just not all of them.

I’ve got 2 fenders. That’s one more than I need.

 

[Alaska Mike]

I like this pine body Tele. It looks a lot like a Jason Isbell Tele without the binding and relicing. In the Sweetwater photos the satin finish looks a little dull though. I wonder if it could be buffed up to more of a gloss.

When I built my seafoam Partscaster, I used a NOS American Special body with the Performer neck instead of a Performer body, because the finish was gloss rather than satin. Just think it looks better. The serial number on the neck says seafoam, so that's nice.

I'm not fond of softer woods for bodies, and an extra pound really doesn't sway me on a guitar if I like it. But good on them if they find a way to keep the Performer viable, because it's a great guitar. Let's be honest, though. It's the exact same guitar with a different wood for the body, which did not take a great amount of effort to pull off.

The Performer's longevity is really more tied to future Mexican production offerings than anything else. If a future Player II Plus (Player Plus II? Player Deluxe? Player Supreme?...) encroaches too far into the Performer's price range with a similar feature set as the Player IIs, either Fender has to bump the prices up a couple hundred with a Performer II series or kill it off completely. The series is due for either one. Either they step up or drop the line, because the MIM products are catching up.

A Performer II with a tinted neck, stainless frets, and chambered ash body? Yes please. Doesn't need fancy electronics, upgraded pickups, or exotic woods.

 

[RiverDog]

It says this about the pickups (at least in the strat - didn't look at the Tele yet): "This guitar features a trio of Yosemite™ single-coil pickups, designed for rich, expressive tones. With flat-staggered pole pieces to increase output and a shellac coating that lets the coil breathe while controlling feedback..."

Is using shellac instead of wax a new process or have they been doing this? Very intriguing.