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Most of us who have held a sleek, smooth Fender guitar in our hands know that they are machines of reliability and long use. We also know that sharp, crisp sound that they make when you know how to handle one, and like the Fender amps, they look as great as they sound. It's the very signature of Fender, and more specifically, the Telecaster, a screaming guitar if there ever was one. Reliability and crisp tone, however, are not the only elements that make the long time company shine. Fender's long history and the creativity of it's inceptor are the foundation of this reputable firm.
It Begins
The year was 1938. Leonidas Fender, electronics technician and owner of Fender's Radio Service, spent his working hours repairing home audio electronics. The occasional PA system from the local police station came his way and he also repaired amps for other businesses in his community in Fullerton, California. With time, however, Leo, as his friends called him, expanded his specialties, selling records in his shop and eventually designing PA systems and building amps.
From 1942 to 1946, Fender partnered up with Clayton Orr Kauffman to create K&F Manufacturing Corp. The original plan between the men was to sell Leo's custom instruments and amps though Kauffman had a preference for equipment repair. Out of their relationship came the Hawaiian Steel Lap Guitar which was paired up with it's own amp when sold. This amazing guitar, created by the jazz artist in Leo, was the first mass produced solid-body electric guitar, ever. The set was a popular buy for Jazz beginners, as the Rock and Roll craze that hit America's youth did not begin for more than a decade.
By 1946 Fender became independent of his friend in business and created Fender Electric Instrument Company. By branching out on his own, he busied himself with growth and more importantly, the design and manufacturing of his first wave of custom amps. In 1948, the Tweed amp, named for the ugly tweed material that covered it, was released. The unattractive but effective piece of equipment cornered the market for Fender and saw the interest in the electric guitar steadily climb for over a decade. The amp was named the Champ and was in production until 1982.
1954 brought the creation of the Fender Stratocaster, which was designed by George Fullerton, Leo Fender and Freddie Tavares. This solid body guitar is made of Alder, Ash and Poplar, some of the most desired woods to use in electric guitars. It also sports the legendary 3 Single Coil Pickups.
Continuing production, Fender released the Deluxe in 1957 and the Bassman LTD in 1959. Both amps have recently become revered as vintage and are being sold at top dollar in the U.S.
In early 1960, Fender made the switch from the stiff and ugly Tweed to Tolex on all of his amps except the Champ. For them, he also chose speakers made by reputable audio companies like Jensen and Oxford, leaders in quality sound equipment, even today. It was also around this time that the craze over Rock and Roll was beginning to become apparent with the making of artists like Jimi Hendrix, who favored Fender products. From here on out, Fenders also began to look as beautiful as they sound and so the legend began.
What Sets Fender Apart
Not only did Fender make it possible for America's youth to participate in the Rock and Roll obsession that is now a part of its culture, but Fender released the Telecaster and the Stratocaster, both legendary instruments which have been used by many talented and successful artists.
- Jimi Hendrix: Stratocaster Electric Guitar, Deluxe and Showman Amps
- Eric Clapton: Custom Stratocaster Electric Guitar
- Carlos Santana: Frontman 25R amp and footswitch
- Bill Joel Armstrong: Jazzmaster, Jagstang, Bassman
- Sheryl Crow: Telecaster Electric Guitar
The Stratocaster sets Fender apart from other guitar manufacturers because of its 3 single coil pickups. This unique design in the pickups give the guitar its clean and almost snappy sound, preferrable for hard rocking and metal sounds. The more modern Strats offer the Humbucker Pickup to replace the single coils and add an incredible richness to that poppy sound.
In Conclusion
Though not all of the products that Fender makes are versatile enough for every style of musician, the Fender quality, reputation and story is most definitely ingrained in American culture. Almost single handedly, Leonidas Fender, who died on March 21, 1991, began a revelation in American music by making it possible for anyone inspired, to play at home.
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