Fender Japan revives its 12-string Stratocasters and Telecasters for the first time in over a decade

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Fender Japan revives its 12-string Stratocasters and Telecasters for the first time in over a decade

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Credit: Fender Japan

Not only is Fender Japan responsible for masterminding some of the firm’s most forward-thinking instruments – see

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, for example – it’s also been known to leaf through the history books to revive a number of cult classic

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.

With that in mind, Fender Japan has announced its newest knockout release: a collection of 12-string

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and

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.

12-string Strats and Teles are very rare beasts indeed. In fact, Fender 12-strings altogether are pretty uncommon, and have only appeared in a handful of formats over the decades. The original – the Fender Electric XII – led the way in the 1960s, but it wasn’t until the late ‘80s that a 12-string Strat arrived on the scene.

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Fender Japan 12-String Stratocaster

However, according to

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, that first Strat attempt was discontinued in 1997, before it was briefly revived between 2003 and 2004 for the Classic Series. After that, it became a Special Edition model, but was again discontinued in 2010.

12-string Telecasters are perhaps even rarer. Exclusively available as a Custom Shop model in the 1990s, these particular guitars were only made in a short ******* between 1995 and 1999.

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Fender Japan 12-String Stratocaster

That means, for over a decade, Fender has been without a 12-string electric model to its name, but now Fender Japan has brought two back following heightened player demand.

The Electric XII – an offset-style model – was the source of inspiration for these newly revived instruments, which both offer elongated headstocks to accommodate the extra tuning machines.

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Fender Japan 12-String Stratocaster

Alder and ash bodies (for the Strat and Tele, respectively) are paired with rosewood fingerboard-topped maple necks, which sport a U-shape profile, 9.5” radius, and a 1.650” bone nut. It’s also worth noting that the Strat has a hardtail bridge.

Otherwise, it’s basically business as usual for the Strats and Teles, which both offer their standard configurations of single-coils and control circuits that look to deliver an authentic Fender playing experience but with the added oomph of six extra strings.

As for cosmetics, the Strat is available in 3-****** Sunburst, Lake Placid Blue and Olympic White, while the Tele is ****** and Natural.

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Fender Japan 12-String Telecaster

“This model has been released as a limited edition several times in the past, and has been highly praised in the 12-string market for its unique 12-string sound,” Fender Japan says. “As a result, there have been many requests for it to be re-released.”

They’re reasonably priced, too: around 165,000 ********* Yen, which roughly equates to $1,137. Unfortunately, they’re exclusive to Japan, so we once again find ourselves pleading to Fender to bring some overseas. We’re used to it at this point.

However, there is a silver lining. While Fender might not have a 12-string on its books, Squier does. Last year, it launched the affordable Jazz XII as part of its Paranormal Series.

Visit

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to find out more.

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Fender Japan 12-String Telecaster

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#Fender #Japan #revives #12string #Stratocasters #Telecasters #time #decade

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