Snap the horizon

Some interesting LTD releases in Japan. This is the SN-1000...

... and the H-1000.

Just look at that generous belly cut. OK so these two are part of LTD's summer release in Japan. No idea if they will be offered to the international market but LTDs had been around the world with no issues. Even the discontinued limited edition LTD Elite (made in Japan) appeared in the international market with no issues. From the looks of it, the LTD range had been kept in check in terms of quality. That could only be a good thing.

Summer Yammy

Yamaha unveiled its limited edition Pacifica 612VIIFM this Summer (available in August, soonest) with delicious features- Duncan pickups (SSL-1/ TB-14), Grover lockers, Wilkinson bridge- the works! Loving that flame top.

New player

This was supposed to be a Summer NAMM (2018) revelation but was leaked along the way. The official announcement was made yesterday. With immediate effect, the Standard series is now effectively discontinued, replaced by the Player Series here, still made in Mexico like their predecessors. 

Yay or nay? The immediate nay factor would be the revised prices (upwards) so get ready to pay about $200+/- more for a Mexican Fender. From a commercial perspective, this is the definite opportunity to bring prices up by featuring 'revisions' in various models which we will look into in another blog episode. The strategy wasn't new as we noted this occurrence when the American Professional replaced the American Standard Series. The list price for a Mexican Strat/ Tele here is $899 so with the new Player prices kicking in soon, you'd be paying close to $1K for one. So is it time to grab whatever's left of the the current Standard models? Hmm...