Fender is leaning into the resurgent popularity of gold-foil pickups with its aptly named Gold Foil Series. The guitar maker drew inspiration from what it calls the style of “midcentury mail-order guitars,” giving these axes the retro appeal of ‘60s garage bands in appearance and tone.
- Gold Foil Telecaster ($1,200): A duo of Fender Gold Foil mini-humbuckers sits at the Telecaster’s center, matching nicely with the “cut” bridge design that features three brass barrel saddles. The 12” radius ebony fingerboard features medium-jumbo frets for no-nonsense string-bending riffs. The Candy Apple Burst finish nails the ‘60s vibes, but the White Blonde offers a unique, creamy two-tone look that lets the Gold Foil pickups shine.
- Gold Foil Jazz Bass ($1,300): A Fender Gold Foil Single-Coil stands defiant at the center of this alder wood-bodied beauty. The ebony fingerboard features white pearloid dots for easy fingerwork, while the vintage-style “lollipop” tuners complete the look. The Two-Color Sunburst is a slick amber affair, but Sonic Blue gives this bass a Motown vibe that’s impossible to resist.
- Gold Foil Jazzmaster ($1,400): Three Gold Foil mini-humbuckers sit at the heart of this guitar, drawing the eye and providing mid-range with plenty of bite. The mahogany body flows into a bound ebony fingerboard featuring white pearloid blocks. The Shoreline Gold finish lends a sumptuous butterscotch look to the Jazzmaster, but the lounge lizard-ready Candy Apple Burst is the play here.
The Fender Gold Foil Series is available now for purchase on Fender’s website.