Fender Japan Hybrid II series: Music icon gets an incredible new makeover

One of the greatest music icons of all time has been given a fresh lease of life in Australia and it is something to behold.

It can be jangly and in your face one moment, fuzzy and warm like a mug of tea down your gullet the next. It sounds like the future but also has a deep connection to the past.

This is not a riddle, but just what springs to mind when you sit down with one of the greatest musical inventions of all time - the Fender Stratocaster.

It’s a guitar that has been at the forefront of music for decades and its versatility is astounding.

Legends like Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix made it “cry and sing” in the words of another great strat man Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits.

Other innovators like Kurt Cobain and Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys made it their own by distorting, experimenting with effects and making it relevant to their respective eras.

Even iconic metal band Iron Maiden made it their signature guitar sound.

Now there is a new wave of strats that have landed down under to continue the musical tradition.

Fender has released a new line of guitars in Australia.

Fender has unveiled its Limited Edition Made in Japan Hybrid II series features eight models with the latest sought-after specifications and new metal ore and sky-inspired finishes.

In 2017, Fender’s guitars and basses made in Japan underwent a comprehensive overhaul.

With meticulous oversight from the US product team, every aspect of production, from wood and parts selection to manufacturing processes, was enhanced to achieve an even higher level of product quality, as you find in the new Hybrid II models.

This news.com.au reporter was lucky enough to try a strat from the new series and it was a thing of beauty.

It has a retro feel with its ClassicGear tuners and gorgeous rosewood fingerboard. The rolled fingerboard edges and easy action make it a joy to play lead or rhythm.

The retro tuners are seriously cool.

The rosewood fingerboard looks and plays incredible.

But make no mistake, this is no museum relic. Its sound is so versatile, you can pretty much play anything on it, from jazz to metal and it sounds boss.

The neck pickup is seriously smooth and is great for playing muddy shoegaze type chord sequences or warm blues licks. The bridge pickup kicks some serious arse and is an easy go-to for your riffage.

It’s easy to see why this is one of the most iconic instruments of all time.

The range starts from $1274. You can find more information and purchase one via the official Fender website.

Originally published as Fender Japan Hybrid II series: Music icon gets an incredible new makeover