Fender Guitars: An Icon of American Design

Featured Fender Guitars:

Fender’s Golden Years

The Fender Musical Instrument Corporation‘s rich history started when Leo Fender graduated from high school in late 1920’s California and began building amplifiers and public address systems whilst running an amateur radio station. In 1938 Leo Fender opened his first shop repairing radios and selling homemade PA systems as well as musical instruments. It wasn’t long before Leo turned all his attention to building innovative musical instruments and, working closely with musician friends and colleagues, changed the course of rock ‘n’ roll history. As musical styles changed during the golden years of rock ‘n’ roll so did Leo Fender’s designs – always pushing the boundaries of innovation.

Evolution of an American Icon

There are a few key factors in Leo Fender’s vision that contributed to the company’s success. Rock ‘n’ roll was becoming increasingly popular and venues were getting bigger. Leo understood the need for louder, reliable amplification so continued to expand and develop his original amplifier designs. With increased volume came the problem of feedback. Leo’s solution came in the form of some revolutionary solid body guitar and magnetic pickup designs.
The 1950’s car culture in American is reflected in Fender’s designs, finish options, the affordability and adaptability of the instruments. Key to the designs was the ability to service, replace and modify each part of the instrument with ease.
Like the car industry, Fender created an efficient factory production line producing a large number of instruments to keep up with the growing demand.

KEY FENDER RELEASE DATES (PRE-CBS)

• 1946 – Fender introduces the first Deluxe and Princeton amplifiers.
• 1950 – The single pickup solid body Esquire guitar makes its debut.
• 1951 – Fender introduces the dual pickup Broadcaster ,later named the Telecaster due to a conflict with Gretsch over the Broadkaster drum kit name.
• 1951 – Fender introduces the Precision Bass – the worlds first electric bass guitar which is much more practical than the cumbersome upright bass.
• 1951 – The Fender Bassman amplifier is also introduced.
• 1952 – The Fender Twin amp makes its debut.
• 1953 – Fender’s Bandmaster and Champ amplifiers go into production.
• 1954 – The legendary Fender Stratocaster was launched and changed guitar music forever. This model has been in constant production since.
• 1955 – Fender introduces the Tremolux and 4 x 10 Bassman .
• 1956 – Fender launches the Musicmaster and Duo-Sonic student model guitars.
• 1958 – Designed to appeal to a different type of player Fender introduces the Jazzmaster ./li>
• 1960 – Fender introduces the dual pick up versatile Jazz Bass .
• 1962 – Surf’s up!  The Fender Jaguar makes its debut with more tonal options and a shorter scale length.
• 1963 – The Fender Twin Reverb is introduced.
• 1964 – Fender introduces the Mustang guitar.

Due to health issues Leo Fender sold the company to the CBS Corporation’s Musical Instruments division in 1965 for $13 million. The Fender company experienced tremendous growth over the next 20 years but lack of commitment and real understanding of music and musicians resulted in a decline in quality and sales. In 1985 CBS were looking to sell the company and, encouraged by Fender fans, Fender’s CEO Bill Shultz and several other employees bought it. Under Bill Shultz’s leadership, Fender regained its reputation and revived its fortunes.

The Fender Stratocaster has never been out of production since it was launched in 1954. It is possibly the quintessential electric solid body guitar – often copied and modified by countless manufacturers all over the world – a testament to its design, tone, versatility and playability. Notable players include some of the greatest guitarists in history: Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Hank Marvin, Buddy Holly, David Gilmour, Dick Dale, Jeff Beck, Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Bonnie Raitt, Mark Knopfler, John Mayer, Yngwie Malmsteen, Richie Blackmore and Nile Rodgers.

A STRAT IS BORN | FENDER

The Current Fender Guitar Range

From the entry-level Squiers, through Mexican-made, Japanese, American to Custom Shop: Fender offer a huge selection of instruments to suit every budget and level of player.
The choice is absolutely staggering so here’s our break down of some of the key series and their models:

Fender Electric Guitars

Fender American – made in Corona, California

• Fender American Vintage – Meticulously authentic U.S guitars made the way they used to be. Fender have dug down deep into the details of the original Fender production techniques and measurements to accurately recreate their most iconic instruments. Popular models include the Fender American Vintage 1956 Stratocaster, and Fender American Vintage ’52 Telecaster.
• Fender American Elite – Superseding the American Deluxe Series the Elite range shares a lot of its predecessors features with some new modifications like an easier access truss rod.
• Fender American Professional – Replacing the American Standard Series the Professional Series is every bit as authentic as its predecessor with some subtle upgrades. models include the Fender American Professional Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jazzmaster, Jaguar, Jazz Bass andPrecision Bass.
• Fender American Special – These genuine American Fenders have all the tone and feel and offer exceptional value for money. Available as Fender American Special Stratocaster and Fender American Special Telecaster models.

Fender Mexican

• Fender Standard – Exceptional value for money the Fender Standard Series offers a combination of traditional designs with contemporary features. Models include the Fender Standard Telecaster, Fender Standard Stratocaster.
• Fender Classic Series – Classic vintage tone, design and feel all at an affordable price. Models include the Fender Classic Series ’60s Strat, Fender Classic Series ’60s Tele, Fender Classic Series ’50s Strat, Fender Classic Series ’50s Tele.
• Fender Deluxe – Mid Range classic designs with upgraded modifcations including locking tuners, noiseless pickups and special switching options giving you extra tonal combinations. Models include Fender Deluxe Telecaster Thinline, Fender Deluxe Stratocaster.
• Fender Offset – Classic style with modern electronics these affordable instruments are lightweight comfortable and easy to play due to the short scale necks. Models include the Fender Duo-Sonic, Fender Mustang.

Fender Custom Shop

Guitar Village has been a Fender Custom Shop UK dealer for a long time:
Click here for the Fender Custom Shop page…

Fender Bass

Designed in 1951, the Fender Precision Bass was a whole new kind of instrument. A practical alternative to the unwieldy upright bass that spawned a fresh sound and artistry for bass players. In 1960, the Fender Jazz Bass yielded more tonal variety along with a narrower neck for a different kind of playing experience. Fender offers a wide range of basses to suit every budget with models including the Fender Standard Precision Bass, Fender Standard Jazz Bass, Fender American Professional Precision Bass, Fender American Professional Jazz Bass, Fender American Elite Precision Bass, Fender American Elite Jazz Bass.

Fender Amps

Among the first products to bear the Fender logo were the very first Fender amplifiers released in 1946. Leo Fender produced the Princeton with and 8″ speaker, Deluxe (10″ speaker) and Professional (15″) which were among the first commercially available amplifiers for electric instruments. Today, Fender offer a wide range of solid state and valve amps for bedroom players, semi professional and big name artists alike. Popular models include the Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, Fender Blues Junior, Fender ’65 Princeton Reverb, Fender Mustang GT 100, Fender Champion 40, and Fender Rumble Bass amps.

View our Fender collections:​