Most globally recognized and admired for their creation of electric guitars with solid bodies and the ability to produce such an impressive sound, the FMIC (Fender Musical Instruments Corporation) or Fender, the iconic Stratocaster, literally personifies the electric guitar.
If you are interested in learning about the origins of Fender and why and how it became so universally popular and respected, then you have come to the right place, as here is a fascinating history of the Fender.
Fender: The Beginnings
Born in the summer of 1909, Clarence Leonidas Fender (now known as Leo Fender) spent his youth building public address systems and amplifiers for a local radio station. In 1938, Leo Fender started selling his homemade musical instruments and PA systems in his first retail shop, named 'Fender’s Repair Shop’.
He spent the next eleven years honing his craft and learning the inner workings of a variety of different instruments before changing the name of his business to ’Fender Electric Instruments.
In 1949, the Fender amps and guitars became a real mainstay of the music industry with two main types, the Telecaster and the Stratocaster, and they have been a popular brand for musicians. Blues musician Albert Collins made the Telecaster popular, while Buddy Holly brought the Fender Stratocaster into mainstream music.
Why Are Fender Guitars the Best?
Universally accepted as the world's most well-known and stand-out makes of guitar, Fender guitars offer affordable and humble models, expensive, legendary, and truly impressive guitars, and everything in between.
Just a selection of the reasons why Fender guitars are a step above the rest include:
- Ash and Alder tonewoods as a standard component of each guitar
- Handcrafted polishing and sanding processes
- The comfortable and body-fitting handle and base
- The sheer availability of sizes, colors, and styles
- An endless array of different modification options
- An incredibly high-quality manufacturing and finishing processes
The Iconic Stratocaster
As mentioned in the introduction, the iconic Stratocaster from Fender Custom Shop is the most recognized and respected electric guitar in rock and roll, and even though the guitar’s concept was created over sixty years ago, you would be hard-pressed to find a more impressive instrument.
From enhancing the comfort levels of the player with its rounded edge, which sits comfortably against the chest, to the stylish showcase of the guitar by Bob Dylan at 1965’s Newport Folk Festival, the Stratocaster has been part of countless innovative gigs and shows.
Fender Guitars in Popular Culture
Even people who have never even picked up a guitar in their life are more than likely going to be familiar with at least the name Fender, which is, in no small part, due to the fact that Fender guitars are everywhere in popular culture.
Perhaps the most famous of all Fender guitar players is Jimi Hendrix, who is one of, if not the most popular American singers, songwriters, and guitarists there has ever been.
Other incredibly famous guitarists who regularly played to sold-out venues with their trusty Fender include David Gilmour from Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, eleven grammy-winning guitarists Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck, and HER.
