Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) announces the launch of The Highway Series, the newest iteration in Fender’s investment in the acoustic category. Comprised of two different models, the more compact Parlor and the classic and fuller bodied Dreadnought, these acoustic guitars have been finely tuned for performance on and off the stage. While the designs of these instruments harkens back to a more traditional style, the technology and specifications are a nod to the future of acoustic guitar playing.
Historically, acoustic guitars have been characterized by large and bulky body shapes, but the Highway Series challenges this industry standard. Drawing inspiration from Fender’s groundbreaking history of transforming the electric guitar landscape, the Highway Series is set to redefine the acoustic guitar experience. At its core, the Highway Series is a multi-purpose guitar, carefully crafted to cater to the diverse needs of modern musicians. This innovative instrument streamlines the way artists can utilize it on stage, providing exceptional versatility while also offering a unique advantage for musicians during the songwriting process. While Fender’s Acoustasonic® series pushed the boundaries of acoustic-electric design, the Highway Series strikes a harmonious balance between modern innovations and the timeless appearance of traditional guitars. It embraces the best of both worlds, combining cutting-edge acoustic-electric technology with the classic and familiar look of a traditional guitar. The result is an instrument that not only stands out on stage but also inspires musicians to explore their creativity in more intimate, quiet settings.
“The Highway Series represents a bold step forward in the world of acoustic guitars, offering musicians a new avenue for sonic exploration and self-expression,” said Billy Martinez, VP of Product – FMIC Acoustics & Squier®. “Among the many standout features, we partnered with Fishman to bring their cutting-edge electronic pickup technology, the Fishman® Fluence® Acoustic pickup to the realm of traditional acoustics and meticulously crafted the necks to deliver an amazing playing experience. These guitars are a testament to our dedication to pushing the boundaries of guitar design and manufacturing.”
Both models in this series feature an ergonomic and lightweight body to ensure optimal comfort and precision. In addition, an exclusive Fishman Fluence® analogue acoustic pickup comes fully loaded at no additional cost giving player’s the ability to plug in and turn up at any given moment. Thanks to the Highway Series’ thin silhouette and fully integrated pickup system, long gone are the days of having to rapidly adjust your stage volume to avoid distracting feedback while strumming on an acoustic. The sum of all these parts equates to an acoustic guitar that gives the modern performer the privilege of consistency, predictability and road-tested sound night after night. To meet the demands of this innovative approach, Fender® has made a significant investment in the Corona, Calif. factory by dedicating a section of the facility exclusively to the production of acoustic-electric guitars, reaffirming the brand’s commitment to delivering top-tier quality instruments.
The Highway Series Dreadnought comes crafted with either a solid sitka spruce or genuine mahogany top, inlaid into a fully chambered mahogany body. Inside is a proprietary internal architecture including a tapered X bracing pattern and ergonomic thinline design. Crafted with the modern live musician in mind, the Highway Series Dreadnought comes equipped with a Fishman Fluence® acoustic pickup that will allow players to deliver amplified acoustic tones with rich clarity and sonic nuance. The Highway Series Parlor model delivers all of the same breathtaking features and optimized design but in a slightly more compact and tapered design, perfect for the guitarist on the go.
Highway Series Dreadnought ($999.99 USD, £949.00 GBP, €1,099.00 EUR, $1,699.00 AUD, ¥143,000 JPY) Crafted with either a solid sitka spruce or genuine mahogany top inlaid into a fully chambered mahogany body, The Highway Series Dreadnought is engineered with a proprietary internal architecture including a tapered floating X bracing pattern and inventive thinline design, producing remarkable resonance and dynamic, organic tone. With fidelity and performance at its core, the Fishman Fluence® acoustic pickup system incorporates an elegantly curved magnetic Fluence® CoreTM pickup with innovative all-analog technology to deliver pure and truly musical amplified tone with astonishing sonic realism, clarity and feedback resistance. The Fender® Highway Series Dreadnought represents not a revision, but a re-imagining of the acoustic experience, inviting players to throw away the map and get lost on the open road of creativity. Available in natural and all-mahogany.
Highway Series Parlor ($999.99 USD, £949.00 GBP, €1,099.00 EUR, $XX.XX AUD, ¥143,000 JPY) Crafted with either a solid sitka spruce or genuine mahogany top inlaid into a fully chambered mahogany body, the Highway Series Parlor is engineered with a proprietary internal architecture, including a tapered floating X bracing pattern and inventive thinline design, producing remarkable resonance and dynamic, organic tone. With fidelity and performance at its core, the Fishman Fluence® acoustic pickup system incorporates an elegantly curved magnetic Fluence® CoreTM pickup with innovative all-analog technology to deliver pure and truly musical amplified tone with astonishing sonic realism, clarity and feedback resistance. The Fender® Highway Series Parlor represents a re-imagining of the acoustic experience, inviting players to throw away the map and get lost on the open road of creativity. Available in natural and all-mahogany.
