Electric Guitars

The archived electric range includes double-cutaway Dragonfly and Revolver models, the Monterey and Ravelle families, and S-style Retrorockets. Vortex and V-Hawk provide V-shaped alternatives. Several versions of each shape appear in the catalogs.

These names describe equipment levels within a model family, but they are not a universal specification. Elites commonly feature a Sustainer; many Deluxe instruments use EMG pickups. Verify the actual year and variant rather than assigning pickups or neck construction from the suffix alone.

The Sustainer came on the Elite and JP Elite models, the Pro line, the Classic series, and a few Deluxe Tremolo Sustainer versions. If a model’s spec lists "Fernandes Sustainer System" or a Sustainer neck pickup, it has it. Deluxe and X models usually do not.

It depends on the tier. Higher models often used EMG actives (60, 81, 85) or Seymour Duncan humbuckers (SH-4 JB, SHR-1). Sustainer models pair a Sustainer driver in the neck with a humbucker at the bridge. Entry-level models used Fernandes’ own high-output humbuckers.

The Dragonfly Elite JP is listed at 24.75 inches, while the bolt-on Dragonfly Pro uses 25.5 inches. This difference within one family is a reason to check the exact variant rather than infer scale from its outline.

Check the bridge specification, not just whether Tremolo appears in the name. Revolver and several Japanese Elite variants also have locking bridges. A Wilkinson or synchronized tremolo uses a different design from a licensed Floyd Rose.

Yes. The Vortex, V-Hawk, Vertigo, and Vulcan shapes were built with rock and metal in mind, often with EMG actives and aggressive looks. Sustainer models add controllable feedback that suits lead and ambient metal styles.

Common choices were mahogany and alder bodies, with quilted maple tops over mahogany on the Elite models for both looks and tone. Necks were maple or mahogany, with rosewood or ebony fingerboards.

Comfort depends on your hand and the individual setup. Compare neck dimensions where documented, and try the upper frets as well as open-position chords. Budget for adjustment if the action or string gauge does not suit you.

Choose a comfortable scale and decide whether you need sustained-note effects. Then compare bridge designs: a fixed bridge and a floating locking tremolo involve different tuning routines. Use the individual equipment list to narrow the remaining options.

The Japanese-built models are well regarded for reliability. On any used guitar, check the neck and frets, the electronics, and (on Sustainer models) that the system powers up and engages. Buying from a seller with clear photos and a return policy reduces the risk.

Prices span a wide range depending on model, tier, era, and condition. Entry-level X models are affordable, while Japanese-built Elites, Sustainer models, and limited runs command a premium. Compare recent sold listings for the exact model to gauge a fair price.

Ask for a readable country-of-origin marking and identify the catalog version. Gotoh hardware, neat fretwork, or an attractive maple top cannot prove a Japanese origin by themselves. Parts can also have been replaced.

Ordinary electric-guitar strings fit many models, but replacement hardware requires measurements. Check bridge posts, string spacing, tuner-hole diameter, and pickup routing before ordering. A Sustainer driver cannot be replaced by an ordinary pickup while retaining its sustain function.

Since Fernandes closed in 2024, the used market is the place to look. eBay is the most reliable source, with trusted sellers who ship worldwide. Search for the specific model and tier you want, and check the origin and condition before you commit.