In a move that will have gear collectors and players alike reaching for their wallets, UK-based Andertons Music Co. and US-based Chicago Music Exchange (CME) have officially unveiled a collaborative exclusive: the Fender Player II Lavender Haze Collection.
This limited-run series reimagines four of Fender’s most iconic silhouettes—the Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jazzmaster, and Jazz Bass—blending a “lost-in-time” aesthetic with high-performance internal upgrades.
A “Could-Have-Been” Vintage Aesthetic
The standout feature of the collection is the Lavender Haze finish. Described by CME Product Director Daniel Bordonaro as a “could-have-been-but-never-was” colorway, the hue draws inspiration from mid-century classic cars and retro home appliances.
To complete the boutique look, the Jazzmaster and Jazz Bass models feature matching painted headstocks, a premium appointment usually reserved for high-end vintage reissues or Custom Shop builds.
Introducing CME’s Proprietary “Full Dip” Pickups
While the visuals are striking, the real magic of the Lavender Haze collection lies under the hood. All four models come equipped with Chicago Music Exchange’s new proprietary “Full Dip” pickups, designed in direct collaboration with Fender.
Built upon the foundation of the popular Vintera II recipe, the “Full Dip” electronics offer two major refinements for the modern player:
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AlNiCo 2 Magnets: These provide a smoother high-end response, allowing notes to “bloom” with a more musical, less harsh character.
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5% Overwound Coils: This extra winding adds a touch of “punch and grit,” making these instruments more versatile for contemporary rock and blues.
“The Player II already delivers exceptional tone, but this collaboration takes it further,” says Lee Anderton, Managing Partner of Andertons Music Co. “CME’s ‘Full Dip’ pickups have a real warmth and musicality that inspires you to play.”
Performance-Driven Electronics
Beyond the pickups, Andertons and CME have modified the wiring of each model to offer tonal variety not found on the standard Player II production line:
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The Stratocaster: Features a “Blender Mod” circuit, allowing players to blend the neck and bridge pickups for unique, Tele-like “twang” or all-three-pickups-at-once textures.
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The Telecaster & Jazzmaster: Both come equipped with a 4-way series/parallel blade selector. This adds a “fat” humbucker-esque tone to the traditional single-coil sparkle.
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The Jazz Bass: Outfitted with concentric stack knobs, providing independent volume and tone control for each pickup—a nod to the highly coveted early 60s Jazz Bass configurations.
Model Specs at a Glance
| Model | Key Features | Pickup Specs |
| Jazzmaster | Matching Headcap, 4-way Switch | AlNiCo 2, Flat Pole, +5% Turns |
| Stratocaster | Blender Mod Electronics | AlNiCo 2, Vintage Stagger, +5% Turns |
| Telecaster | 4-way Series/Parallel Switch | AlNiCo 2, Non-Beveled, +5% Turns |
| Jazz Bass | Matching Headcap, Stack Knobs | Hybrid AlNiCo 2/5 Design, +5% Turns |
Availability and Pre-Order
The Andertons x Chicago Music Exchange Fender Player II RW Lavender Haze Collection is available for pre-order starting today, January 8, 2026. Given the exclusive nature of these finishes and the custom-spec pickups, these are expected to move quickly among the Fender community.
Stratocaster, priced £799 at Andertons
Telecaster, priced £799 at Andertons
Jazzmaster, priced £799 at Andertons
Jazz Bass, priced £849 at Andertons
More Information
#Lavender Haze #Fender Player II
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