Fender has overhauled its flagship US-made American Professional line, introducing redesigned bridges, upgraded electronics, reshaped neck profiles and new V-Mod III pickups across Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jazzmaster, Jaguar, Precision Bass and Jazz Bass models, according to a Guitar.com report. Pricing starts at $1,799.99.
The revamp includes a production version of the Custom Shop RSD J bridge, now called the ClassicGear J-Bridge, on the Jaguar and Jazzmaster. Guitar.com reports that the Custom Shop original is handmade and milled, routinely selling for hundreds on the secondary market. Fender Chief Product Officer Justin Norvell said the challenge was figuring out how to make it in quantity.
V-Mod III pickups are voiced for balanced output and touch sensitivity, paired with ClassicGear Precision potentiometers and a push-pull tone control on every guitar. The Stratocaster gains ClassicGear Radial bent-steel saddles and an upgraded two-point tremolo, while the Telecaster gets a top-load or string-through bridge with compensated brass bullet saddles. Both basses receive a redesigned HiMass Modern Bridge.
Guitar.com notes the new Strat saddle design addresses what Norvell called a 70-plus year gripe by keeping screw ends from sticking up. Left-handed versions of the Stratocaster, Telecaster, Precision Bass and Jazz Bass are slated for spring 2027.
For more information, visit guitar.com.
