A Concise History Detailing Fender Guitars

A maker of excellent instruments since 1947, Fender Guitars has been manufacturing the gold standard of electric instruments. With its world headquarters located in Scottsdale, Arizona, their history is an interesting tale of ingenuity and craftsmanship that have stood the test of time.

The company began in 1938 as Fender’s Radio Service. Leo Fender was an electronics technician who repaired radios, amplifiers, and other electronics. They manufactured PA systems and sold records as a side project.

K & F Manufacturing was created in the 1940′s when Leo and “Doc” Kauffman went into business together. They built and sold electronic instruments and amplifiers. They patented guitar pickups and used them in steel guitars. By 1946, Kauffman was not convinced of the potential or direction of the company, so he and Leo parted ways. Leo changed the name of the company to Fender Electric Instrument Company.

1948 led to the development of the “tweed amp”. This was an amplifier that had tweed to cover the front, hence the name “tweed amp”. Later, the tweed was replaced by Tolex and the cabins begin being manufactured in black. Chrome fittings were used, and this is the look we know today.

Beginning in 1954, the company began making the “Stratocaster”, which quickly became an icon in the music world. With its double cut away and extended horn, the instrument is a balanced and elegant guitar. Quickly it became the piece to have if you were a musician. It has also been served up as a classic example of timeless and enduring piece of industrial design. Today there are many varieties of Stratocasters available, including the American, Hot Rodded American, American Deluxe, American Special and American Standard.

The Stratocaster is not the only star for the Fender company. They make a large line of instruments including but not limited to the Telecaster and an excellent line of acoustic guitars, and a line of basses including the Precision Bass and the Jazz Master. Many musicians through the years have used the instruments from George Harrison, Waylon Jennings, Kurt Cobain, Keith Richards, Bruce Springsteen, John Frusciante, and Jimi Hendrix.

Leo sold his companies to CBS in 1963 for thirteen million dollars. Columbia Broadcasting Systems was in the process of buying up many musical instrument companies like Steinway pianos, Gemeinhardt flutes, Rogers drums, and Lyon & Healy harps. This ushered in many changes the company but in 1985, the employees of the Fender Company bought back the company.

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