Fender launches the next generation of its American Professional series

Fender announced on 13 October 2026 the next generation of American Professional, its flagship series of electric guitars and basses. Built in Corona, California, the lineup includes the Stratocaster, Stratocaster HSS, Telecaster, Hotshot Telecaster, Jazzmaster, Jaguar, Precision Bass, Precision Bass V, Jazz Bass and Jazz Bass V.

The headline change is a new set of V-Mod III pickups, voiced for balanced output and string-to-string clarity. The Stratocaster HSS gets a redesigned V-Mod III bridge humbucker and the Precision Bass a new split-coil. The bridges were reworked too: the Telecaster has a top-load or string-through bridge with compensated brass saddles, the Jaguar and Jazzmaster pair a J-Bridge with a Panorama tremolo, and the basses use a redesigned HiMass Modern Bridge. Every guitar has push-push tone controls for extra voices, and the necks come in a Deep “C” profile on the guitars, a Medium “C” on the Precision Bass and a Slim “C” on the Jazz Bass, all with rolled edges.

According to Premier Guitar, street prices start at $1,799.99 and €2,199 for the Stratocaster and Telecaster, rising to €2,399 for the five-string basses. Guitar World notes the range starts $100 below the typical prices of its predecessor, the American Professional II, and that the series has dropped its numbering. Left-handed Stratocaster, Telecaster, Precision Bass and Jazz Bass models follow in spring 2027.

Justin Norvell, Fender's chief product officer for guitars and basses, said the company balanced “modern, useful improvements” with the familiarity that made the instruments what they are, rather than changing things just to make them new.