Conversations about Fender’s signature range of instruments first started in the mid-’80s when the company approached Eric Clapton to begin building a guitar to his specs. In 1988, the first production Clapton model was released, alongside a model from neo-classical virtuoso Yngwie Malmsteen. And so began a long line of Fender signature guitars and basses, which continues to grow to this day.
There are lots of different models available today, all boasting different specs, tailored to each artist. Some players want particular pickups, different neck profiles, more versatile control panels – even new, one-off finishes. Fender endorses a massive range of artists, too – from country and metal, to blues and R&B – basically any genre you can think of, Fender probably has a finger in that pie.
We’ve picked out five of our current favorite Fender signature models (we've stuck to electric guitars for this feature as there currently aren't enough great signature basses to justify a separate list), as well as highlighting some other artists that we think are crying out for a Fender collaboration. Using a few of Marr’s early-to-mid ’60s Jaguars as a starting point, Fender and the former Smiths man have created a highly modded indie machine. Starting off with a pair of Johnny Marr signature Bare Knuckle , you get all the chime and bright, articulate twang you’d expect from a Jaguar, with a little more focus and resonance from the fact that the polarity of the pickups ha.
