Fender Offers New Folk and Bluegrass
Instruments
 February 3, 2000
Fender Acoustics will expand its line this year in
an effort to round out its family of traditional folk and bluegrass instruments.
In addition to the recently revived Fender FV-1 violin, the new acoustic
line will also include a resonator guitar and three all new mandolins.
Rizzuto states, "Retailers often call me and ask when we're going
to come out with something like this. Aside from bluegrass-style music,
many of today's rock and alternative bands use mandolins, violins and
resonators to add a fresh sound to their mix."
The new Fender FR-50 is a resonator designed for the beginning bluegrass,
blues or rock guitar player. It is a traditional round neck resonator
with a mahogany body and neck that emphasize a loud, mellow mid-range
response. The spruce top alleviates some of the added weight of the steel
resonating unit, while also contributing to its sustain and volume.
The FR-50 has a rosewood fingerboard with snowflake inlays and die-cast
tuners. For an added touch of style, this resonator has f-holes that are
exactly that - sound ports in the shape of the signature Fender "F".
The FR-50 will be available in January, 2000. United States MSRP is $459.00.
The three latest additions to Fender's line of mandolins have been designed
with the semi-professional and professional musician in mind. All are
high quality, classic hollow body mandolins with traditional style and
proper appointments.
Heading up the new line is the FM-63S. This is an 8-string mandolin
made with a solid carved spruce top and solid maple body featuring a carved
back. These light woods offer a very bright, jazzy tone with a brilliant
response.
The FM-63S
comes with a high gloss sunburst finish that accentuates its traditional
"scrolled F" style body. A Fender signature flared headstock
tops the maple neck, which features an ebony fingerboard and intricate
inlay pattern.
Next in line is the FM-61SE. The design of this new mandolin is very
reminiscent to the Fender solid body mandolin that was originally produced
throughout the 1960s.
Also an 8-string, the FM-61SE is made with a solid spruce top, solid
nato back and sides, and it has a rosewood fingerboard atop its maple
neck. There is one single coil pickup mounted on a white pearl pickguard,
as well as master volume and tone controls. Finishing off its aesthetics
is the single, traditionally shaped f-hole.
Rounding off this new line of mandolins is the FM-60E. This 5-string
mandolin offers the added versatility of a low "C" string.
The FM-60E is actually tuned to the key of "C" (C-G-D-A-E),
with the added fifth "C" string offering an extended low-end
range, which provides the flexibility of enhanced solo work and a wider
possible array of chord voicings.
The chambered body of the FM-60E has a flame maple top with a sunburst
finish, and solid basswood sides and back. It also features a maple neck
and rosewood fingerboard, dual single coil pickups and master volume and
tone controls.
All of the mandolins in the new line will be available in January, 2000.
United States MSRP for these models are as follows: the FM-63S is $849.99;
the FM-61SE is $479.99; and the FM-60E is $499.99.
For more information
contact Fender at www.fender.com. | 
