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.
1954 saw the introduction of the "Stratocaster". This instrument quickly became to standard for electric guitars. With its body cut away top and bottom and a top horn to balance the weight, it quickly became the guitar to have if you were a jazz, blues or rock musician. It didn't take long for the Stratocaster to make it into the hands of famous musicians. The design of the Stratocaster has been hailed as a timeless example of excellent industrial design. Today many examples of the Strat, as it is affectionately know, including the Hot Rodded American, American, American Special, American Standard, and the American Deluxe.
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/
Throughout the years, Fender Companies have seen many changes, but no one will dispute that they has become the undisputed standard for electric guitars. In 1963, Leo sold his companies to Columbia Broadcasting Systems. This was during a time when CBS was attempting to get into the instrument business. They also acquired Rogers drums, Steinway pianos, Gemeinhardt flutes, and Lyon & Healy harps, just to name a few. In 1985, the employees of the company purchased it from CBS.
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.
1954 saw the introduction of the "Stratocaster". This instrument quickly became to standard for electric guitars. With its body cut away top and bottom and a top horn to balance the weight, it quickly became the guitar to have if you were a jazz, blues or rock musician. It didn't take long for the Stratocaster to make it into the hands of famous musicians. The design of the Stratocaster has been hailed as a timeless example of excellent industrial design. Today many examples of the Strat, as it is affectionately know, including the Hot Rodded American, American, American Special, American Standard, and the American Deluxe.
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/
Throughout the years, Fender Companies have seen many changes, but no one will dispute that they has become the undisputed standard for electric guitars. In 1963, Leo sold his companies to Columbia Broadcasting Systems. This was during a time when CBS was attempting to get into the instrument business. They also acquired Rogers drums, Steinway pianos, Gemeinhardt flutes, and Lyon & Healy harps, just to name a few. In 1985, the employees of the company purchased it from CBS.
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