Fender's Innovative New 6-String, the
Sub-Sonic
 |
Fender's Sub-Sonic
(Click for a larger picture) |
February 9, 2000
The new Sub-Sonic guitar from Fender's Custom Shop
utilizes a 27" scale length, slightly longer than the 25.5 scale
of a Fender Stratocaster. The longer scale length, coupled with its dropped
B tuning (B-E-A-D-F#-B), offer the extended low range most often associated
today with 7-string guitars.
"The advantage here," says Mike Lewis, Vice President of Electric
Guitars for Fender, "is that the guitar's scale is comfortable and
familiar, and guitarists don't have to switch to a 7-string and learn
a new technique to get a low, growling tone." Adds Lewis, "When
asked, most 7-string artists don't believe me when I tell them that they
can get such a heavy sound from a 6-string. When I put the Sub-Sonic in
their hands, I get this look of disbelief from them, and they go crazy
when they plug it in!"
Team built by the artisans at Fender's Custom Shop in Corona, California,
the Sub-Sonic has an alder body fashioned after the shape of the Stratocaster.
The C shaped neck is made of maple, with a either a maple or rosewood
fingerboard featuring 22 medium-jumbo frets and ìdot inlays. Deluxe
cast/sealed machine heads complete the appointments of the classic Stratì
headstock.
The Sub-Sonic is available in two different pickup configurations: a
DH-1 humbucking pickup and two Vintage Noiseless single coils; or with
dual DH-1 humbucking pickups. There are three controls: one volume, one
tone for the neck and middle, and one no-load tone for the bridge. The
Sub-Sonic has an American Deluxe hard-tail bridge, is straplock ready,
and comes with a black Tolex Fender case.
Available color options include: 3-color Sunburst with a brown shell
pickguard; Daphne Blue with a white shell pickguard; Black with a brown
shell pickguard; and Candy Apple Red with a white shell pickguard. Production
begins in March, 2000. US MSRP is $2,599.99.
}For more information, visit Fender's web site at www.fender.com. |
