NAMM 2025: Fender has unveiled a significant new entry-level guitar line, the Standard Series, priced at a competitive $599. Manufactured in Indonesia, the Standard Series comprises Stratocasters, Telecasters, Jazz Basses, and Precision Basses, all featuring classic Fender design elements.
Fender $599 Standard Series
Fender shakes things up with the launch of the Standard Series, a new line of sub-$600 guitars manufactured in Indonesia.
This move signals a renewed focus on affordability for the legendary brand, acknowledging the growing gap between its Squier and more expensive Mexican-made instruments.
“We wanted to make Fender more affordable and to a wider amount of people,” said Fender’s Executive VP of Product, Justin Norvell. “It was called the ‘working man’s guitar’ back in the day, so that’s been our goal.”

Fender Basics
The Standard Series features Modern ‘C’ shaped necks, Fender Standard pickups, and a range of classic finishes. This strategic move aims to capture the attention of aspiring musicians seeking a genuine Fender experience at a more accessible price point.
Fender is offering a range of classic finishes, including Butterscotch Blonde for the Telecaster, Sunburst for the Stratocaster, and Black for the basses, along with some striking “color in the lines” options such as Aqua Marine Metallic and Candy Cola.
They also offer an HSS Stratocaster for a little extra, so there are a few options in this new affordable Fender-badged range of guitars.

Key Takeaways
- Focus on Affordability: The $599 price point directly addresses the increasing cost of entry-level Fender instruments.
- Expanded Reach: The Standard Series aims to make Fender guitars more accessible to a wider range of players.
- Indonesian Manufacturing: The Indonesian-built line demonstrates continued confidence in Fender’s Far East manufacturing facilities.

Standard Series
The Standard Series represents a significant shift for Fender, reasserting its commitment to providing high-quality, affordable instruments for musicians at all levels.

Guitar Bomb Verdict
It feels like the ‘Squier Classic Vibe’ range is now available with an upcharge for a new headstock decal and a different set of pickups. However, if you must have Fender on the headstock of your guitar, these might well be for you.
It could be a perfect ‘marketing’ exercise in rebranding, or they could be fantastic guitars. We look forward to hearing reviews from owners as they get into players’ hands this year.
Available at Thomann
- Fender Standard Tele MN WPG Aqua Marine Metallic
- Fender Standard Tele MN BPG Butterscotch Blonde
- Fender Standard Tele LRL WPG Olympic White
- Fender Standard Tele LRL WPG 3-Colour Sunburst
- Fender Standard Strat LRL WPG Aqua Marine Metallic
- Fender Standard Strat MN WPG Candy Cola
- Fender Standard Strat LRL WPG 3-Colour Sunburst
- Fender Standard Strat HSS LRL WPG Candy Cola
- Fender Standard Strat HSS MN WPG Aqua Marine Metallic
- Fender Standard Strat HSS LRL BPG Black
- Fender Standard J-Bass LRL WPG Olympic White
- Fender Standard J-Bass LRL WPG 3-Colour Sunburst
- Fender Standard J-Bass MN BPG Black
- Fender Standard P Bass MN WPG Candy Cola
- Fender Standard P Bass LRL BPG 3-Colour Sunburst
More Information
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19 thoughts on “Fender Launches New $599 Standard Series, Marking a Major Shift for the Iconic Brand”
these really are Indonesian made Squiers with a Fender decal. I wish these were made in Korea instead.
I have an Indonesian Gretsch, an Indonesian Epiphone and I used to own an Indonesian PRS and both are excellent guitars. Indonesia is producing low cost, high end guitars that are the equal of anywhere.
Yes, Korean made guitars are much better quality!
Sorry, it won’t let me edit my last comment but I just wanted to add that if these were made by WMI in Korea we would have something to be excited about also could they not come up with a new name? American Standard, Standard.
I’d definitely buy one if it were made at WMI.
Lest we forget, federal minimum wage in the USA hasn’t budged since back when you could get a Mexican Stratocaster for $399 (with the same pots and switches as the American models; remains to be seen what’s inside these new ones).
Hard to get excited about is all I’m saying…
Fender electronics?
As a gigging musician chic I love this! Many so called musicians yell about Squire, Epiphone, things being made in other countries! Why? I have some quality guitars that play better then my Fenders and some Gibson! I wish Gibson could be more like Fender! A lot of PROFESSIONAL FAMOUS MUSICIANS USE SQUIRE!!
Squier are great, I use them live and in the studio.
No you don’t. And to say these things play better than real Fenders, Gibsons, or PRS is a lie. Or you just don’t have the sense to know a good guitar from a crap one.
The Squiers I like are the Chinese made ones like in the Paranormal line or the older Korean made ones. I have used plenty of Indonesian made instruments over the years and they are fine but you can’t go wrong with an Instrument made in Japan or Korea and already a negative connotation with the consumer “Which Standard do you have? The Good one made in America or the not so good one made in Indonesia?” How about The Fender Adept series, Fender Trailblazer series, Fender Greenhorn series, etc.
Fender is unfortunately trying to capture market share with cheaply produced guitars in Indonesia. Fender needs to develop better pickups, use higher quality pots and switches, better locking headstock and bridge/tremolo hardware. These are essentially squire guitars made in Indonesia. Fender you Sales and Marketing Managers lack fore sight and market knowledge
More about bottom line really. Korea is top expensive. Mexico probably is too. And sad thing is, they’re more expensive and crap quality.
@Dustin Mitchell Fender put all it’s eggs into building a Super Factory in Mexico when the old one burned up. This Factory is so large that the American Factory sends it’s body blanks over the border to be sanded and returned. it’s really hard for me to be asked to care about this new Standard series when I know it’s all contract work and if it doesn’t sell well, Fender will just discontinue it like any other series. Fender didn’t even rent floor space at NAMM to showcase it.
You are so wrong. The Indonesian squires are fantastic guitars for the price. I imagine the Fenders will have some upgraded hardware or electronics for the extra cost. I have a Fender Telecaster FMT HH that is a GREAT guitar for $1,000.00. Why don’t you try one then offer your opinion.
Hello, could you please name some of those budget guitars that you’re saying is better than fenders and gibsons?
Please consider getting a used Fender Player series instead. Great bang for your buck and with the money you save you can get a full professional set up by a local luthier and still have some left over for goodies like strings and picks etc
These could and arguably should be branded as ‘Squier Premier’ or ‘Squier Deluxe’ guitars. It’s impossible to manufacture a truly Fender quality guitar and retail it for £500. These guitars undermine the excellence and charisma associated with the brand. The chsris
I don’t understand why Fender is doing this. These guitars are contracted out. I think its a disservice to fall them “Standards.” You can get a good Squire Classic Vibe Vibe and switch out the logo if that so important ti people. And Amazon is loaded with Fender could ye for less.