Fender Japan Unveils Paul Smith Telecaster Collaboration
Fender Japan unveiled a 16-piece collaboration with British fashion house Paul Smith on October 22, 2026. The range coincides with the brands' 2026 anniversary celebrations and is led by a Made in Japan Telecaster priced at ¥440,000, or about $2,783.
Stripes, modified pickups and accessories
The Telecaster combines established Fender specifications with visual elements created for the Paul Smith collection. Its announced specifications include:
- An alder body with a Paul Smith striped finish
- A maple neck with a modern-C profile
- A rosewood fretboard
- Specially modified neck and bridge pickups
- A vintage-style three-saddle Telecaster bridge
- Locking tuners and a custom neck plate
Fender did not explain how the modified pickups differ from standard Telecaster pickups. No technical information was provided about changes to their construction or sound, leaving the striped finish as the model's most clearly defined collaboration-specific feature.
The wider collection carries the stripe design onto a guitar strap. It also includes a tin containing 12 heavy-gauge picks and a series of tie-dye T-shirts inspired by historic music festivals. These pieces are part of the 16-item collaboration alongside the Made in Japan guitar.
The Meet at the Tree design takes its name from Paul Smith's favorite tree in Nottingham, England. The tree is used as a symbol of the community that gathers around festivals, connecting that theme to the clothing and accessories in the collection.
(Via: Guitar World)
