When are new guitars announced and made available?

[Top-L]

Just wondering, when the 2021 guitars will make a showing? Does it happen early like with cars, or late?

[Mincer]

Usually, this is around the trade shows. NAMM in the winter and summer, and a few European ones. Thing is, those were cancelled this year, so everything is up in the air now. In the past few years, though, many companies are not sticking to the trade show schedule, coming out with new products every quarter (and showing up in stores a few months later). The entire industry is in flux right now, so the 'rules' don't apply anymore.

[Securb]

I have been getting marketing emails pretty steady. It seems like Fender is releasing something every couple of weeks.

[Masta' C]

Seems to take 4-5 months from when something is formally announced before it's found commonly at retailers. But, as Mincer said, the announcements are more scattered and unpredictable than they used to be.