Fender From the BEGINNING
In the 1940s, inventor Leo Fender realized that he could improve amplified hollow-body instruments by using a basic solid-body electric guitar design. The music industry has Fender to thank for instruments like Telecaster, Stratocaster, Precision Bass, and Jazz Bass.
1951 -Fender brought a prototype of a solid body guitar into play. It would be later named the Telecaster. The Telecater was the first Spanish style solid-body guitar to be mass produced. Fender also introduced the Precision Bass guitar. The bass had frets so it could be played with precision. This bass guitar could also be amplified, this made the new bass more attractive.
1954 -The Stratocaster was the next guitar to be released. It has a three single-coil pickup, this offers a wide variety of tonal possibilities. The double cutaway design made it easier to access the upper registers. The design of this guitar was made with the feedback of many musicians and Leo Fender himself. The Stratocaster also includes a Fender vibrato bridge. This innovation allows artists to use a pedal steel like sound. It is very popular among country artists.
1965 -Leo Fender sold his company to CBS due to poor health.
1981 -CBS brought in a new managment team to re-invent Fender. William Schultz became president of the company. Schultz created a five year bussiness plan for Fender with the help of his associate William Mendello.
1985 -Schultz led a group of employees and investors to purchase Fender from CBS. This put Fender back into the hands of people dedicated to producing the best guitars in the world. This group of people had to start from scratch to rebuild the American icon that Fender was. A Fender factory was built in Corona, California.
1987 -A second factory was opened in Ensenada, Mexico. In Corona the company opened Fender Custom Shop.
1991 -The company's headquaters were moved to Scottsdale, Arizona.
2005 -Schultz retired, Mendello became CEO.
1951 -Fender brought a prototype of a solid body guitar into play. It would be later named the Telecaster. The Telecater was the first Spanish style solid-body guitar to be mass produced. Fender also introduced the Precision Bass guitar. The bass had frets so it could be played with precision. This bass guitar could also be amplified, this made the new bass more attractive.
1954 -The Stratocaster was the next guitar to be released. It has a three single-coil pickup, this offers a wide variety of tonal possibilities. The double cutaway design made it easier to access the upper registers. The design of this guitar was made with the feedback of many musicians and Leo Fender himself. The Stratocaster also includes a Fender vibrato bridge. This innovation allows artists to use a pedal steel like sound. It is very popular among country artists.
1965 -Leo Fender sold his company to CBS due to poor health.
1981 -CBS brought in a new managment team to re-invent Fender. William Schultz became president of the company. Schultz created a five year bussiness plan for Fender with the help of his associate William Mendello.
1985 -Schultz led a group of employees and investors to purchase Fender from CBS. This put Fender back into the hands of people dedicated to producing the best guitars in the world. This group of people had to start from scratch to rebuild the American icon that Fender was. A Fender factory was built in Corona, California.
1987 -A second factory was opened in Ensenada, Mexico. In Corona the company opened Fender Custom Shop.
1991 -The company's headquaters were moved to Scottsdale, Arizona.
2005 -Schultz retired, Mendello became CEO.