Fender Guitars, headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, has been making fine instruments for since 1947. Here is a brief history of their inception and how they came to manufacture the world standard in electric instruments.
Leo Fender founded Fender's Radio service in 1938 working as an electronics technician. He repaired amplifiers, radios and other electronics devices. He also sold records as a side business and made PA systems for his customers to rent.
In the 1940's Leo teamed up with "Doc" Kauffman to form K & F Manufacturing. Together they manufactured and sold amplifiers and other electronics equipment including the patent on guitar pickups. However, by 1946 Kauffman was ready to depart the company so Leo renamed it Fender Electric Instrument Company.
In 1948, the company began manufacturing amplifiers that were the first big hit. They covered the front with tweed, leading to the name "tweed amps". By 1963 the company moved to a Tolex cover with a black casing and chrome fittings. These tube amps became a mainstay to the budding Rock, jazz and blues musicians of the day.
In 1954, they began manufacturing the future star of the electric guitar world, the "Stratocaster". It's a double cut away. The top horn protruded farther, providing a balance to the instrument. This guitar has become the gold standard in the music industry, and has been held up as an example of timeless industrial design. There are many variations on the Stratocaster, including the American Deluxe, American, Hot Rodded American, American Special and American Standard.
The company manufactures a number of other instruments, including the telecaster, the Precision Bass, known as the P-base, the Jazz Master and an excellent line of acoustic guitars. They are used my many musicians, including Bruce Springsteen, Waylon Jennings, Kurt Cobain, George Harrison, Keith Richards, John Frusciante, and Jimi Hendrix, just to name a few. Today they manufacture a large line of instruments, ranging from entry level "Squire" models to the custom handcrafted ones sold to professional musicians/
In 1963 the Columbia Broadcasting Systems bought Leo's companies for an unprecedented thirteen million dollars. This was at a time when CBS was attempting to get into the musical instrument industry. They went on a buying spree purchasing the likes of Steinway pianos, Rogers drums, Lyon & Healy harps, and Gemeinhardt flutes. But in 1985, the Fender Corporation was purchased by the employees. Although they have gone through many changes over the years, Fender Guitars are still the shining example of the American instrument.
Leo Fender founded Fender's Radio service in 1938 working as an electronics technician. He repaired amplifiers, radios and other electronics devices. He also sold records as a side business and made PA systems for his customers to rent.
In the 1940's Leo teamed up with "Doc" Kauffman to form K & F Manufacturing. Together they manufactured and sold amplifiers and other electronics equipment including the patent on guitar pickups. However, by 1946 Kauffman was ready to depart the company so Leo renamed it Fender Electric Instrument Company.
In 1948, the company began manufacturing amplifiers that were the first big hit. They covered the front with tweed, leading to the name "tweed amps". By 1963 the company moved to a Tolex cover with a black casing and chrome fittings. These tube amps became a mainstay to the budding Rock, jazz and blues musicians of the day.
In 1954, they began manufacturing the future star of the electric guitar world, the "Stratocaster". It's a double cut away. The top horn protruded farther, providing a balance to the instrument. This guitar has become the gold standard in the music industry, and has been held up as an example of timeless industrial design. There are many variations on the Stratocaster, including the American Deluxe, American, Hot Rodded American, American Special and American Standard.
The company manufactures a number of other instruments, including the telecaster, the Precision Bass, known as the P-base, the Jazz Master and an excellent line of acoustic guitars. They are used my many musicians, including Bruce Springsteen, Waylon Jennings, Kurt Cobain, George Harrison, Keith Richards, John Frusciante, and Jimi Hendrix, just to name a few. Today they manufacture a large line of instruments, ranging from entry level "Squire" models to the custom handcrafted ones sold to professional musicians/
In 1963 the Columbia Broadcasting Systems bought Leo's companies for an unprecedented thirteen million dollars. This was at a time when CBS was attempting to get into the musical instrument industry. They went on a buying spree purchasing the likes of Steinway pianos, Rogers drums, Lyon & Healy harps, and Gemeinhardt flutes. But in 1985, the Fender Corporation was purchased by the employees. Although they have gone through many changes over the years, Fender Guitars are still the shining example of the American instrument.
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Bargains can be found at online guitar auctions for fender guitars and guitar amplifiers.