The Upcoming Limited Edition Abbey Road Studiomatic Guitar
On November 20, 2025, Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) will unveil a groundbreaking collaboration between Gretsch® and Abbey Road Studios—the
Limited Edition Abbey Road Studiomatic™. This limited release embodies a perfect blend of the two legendary brands' rich sonic philosophies, promising flexible tones, clarity, and compatibility with various mixes, thus establishing a new standard for recording guitars.
This innovative instrument marks the first time that Abbey Road’s historic technology has been integrated into a guitar's signal path. At the heart of the design lies a special circuit inspired by the
RS 97 Rumble Filter, originally developed by the EMI team in the 1950s to eliminate unwanted low frequencies and mechanical vibrations during recording. The Studiomatic is engineered to maintain clarity even in complex musical arrangements, delivering warm tones that encapsulate the essence of Abbey Road’s renowned sound technology. To honor the launch of this unique guitar, Abbey Road Studios has awarded it the new Recording Studio (RS) number “RS 201,” marking a significant milestone in the studio’s legacy.
Gretsch and Abbey Road Studios are iconic brands that have profoundly influenced music culture. Established in 1883, Gretsch is celebrated for its dedication to craftsmanship and quality, producing instruments adored by legendary artists including The Beatles’ George Harrison. Meanwhile, Abbey Road Studios has been a pivotal force in recording innovation since the 1930s, working with iconic artists such as Kate Bush, Fela Kuti, Oasis, and Amy Winehouse. With a foundation in technological advancements—from inventing stereo recording to developing Artificial Double Tracking (ADT)—Abbey Road has played a central role in shaping modern recording culture. The
Limited Edition Abbey Road Studiomatic™ embodies their shared values of acoustic passion, innovation, and craftsmanship, designed to inspire the next generation of creators.
FMIC's Chief Product Officer,
Max Gotnik, shared his excitement: “The partnership between Gretsch and Abbey Road Studios has finally materialized into a guitarist’s dream come true. A common ethos rooted in
sound, feel, and innovation, has brought the
RS201 Studiomatic to life. This guitar is designed to have a responsive, inspiring, and rich sonic identity that excels in studio settings. As a result, players will directly connect with the lineage of recording that has shaped contemporary music.”
Abbey Road has committed itself to unearthing the
maximum musical potential of every artist that walks through its doors, driven by its unique history and iconic presence. Innovation remains at the studio's core, with engineers continuously pushing the boundaries of recording excellence.
Jeremy Hafferman, General Manager of Abbey Road Studios, expressed: “The evolution of this unique instrument is a product of the close collaboration between Gretsch and Abbey Road, founded on mutual aspirations for creating guitars that are adaptable in mixes, sonically flexible, and tonally superior. The designation of the RS 201 number serves as a testament to the technological innovation embedded in this one-of-a-kind guitar, marking its place in Abbey Road's groundbreaking history.”
The Limited Edition Abbey Road Studiomatic™ is a slender hollow-body guitar specifically designed to achieve a clear sound by reducing muddiness in the lower and mid-range frequencies. It features Filter’Tron pickups, which incorporate vintage essences while being versatile enough for modern sound. The guitar includes an integrated filter circuit inspired by the Rumble Filter developed by Abbey Road engineers, enabling players and engineers to easily roll off unwanted low frequencies and instantly create record-ready tones. This model directly tackles the challenge of creating a guitar suited for studio environments, serving not just as a high-performance instrument, but also as a powerful tool for artists and producers to precisely shape their sound—an embodiment of Gretsch and Abbey Road Studios' clear message.
To delve deeper into the journey of the RS201 Studiomatic’s creation, visit the Gretsch official YouTube channel, where engineers from both Gretsch and Abbey Road share their collaborative process, showcasing the meticulous refinement of the guitar’s components.
Product Overview
- - Product Name: Limited Edition Abbey Road Studiomatic™
- - Expected Market Price: ¥253,000 (including tax)
- - Release Date: November 20, 2025
- - Authorized Retailers: Available at Gretsch’s official retailers
Explore the launch through two promotional videos:
Video 1 and
Video 2.
Note: Product specifications and prices are subject to change without notice.