NAMM 2025: It’s day one and Fender has already blindsided us several times over at this year’s NAMM show. One of the biggest surprises, though, has to be the launch of a whole new tier of sub-$600 models, the Fender Standard series, which is being produced in Indonesia.
Fender has long used its name on non-US builds, and had great faith in the facility already, with perhaps the biggest vote of confidence being the arrival of the Fender-badged Tom Delonge Starcaster.
Meanwhile, as the series name suggests, the spec of the new Standards offers few surprises itself: the line encompasses a Stratocaster, HSS Strat, Telecaster, Jazz Bass, and Precision Bass.
Each features the ubiquitous Modern ‘C’ shaped necks, Fender Standard pickups, and some of the usual suspects in terms of finishes (a Butterscotch Blonde Tele, Sunburst Strat, black basses), plus a few fetching ‘color in the lines’ curve-balls like Aqua Marine Metallic and Candy Cola.
“Built to accompany players on their formative musical adventures, the Fender Standard Series delivers the approachable playability and inspiring tone that made Fender an icon of rock & roll,” says Fender. “[Each model] truly sets the standard for the Fender experience.”
