The History of Fender Guitars

In the early 1940s, an inventor based in California named Leo Fender had created some custom made guitars and amplifiers in his radio shop. In 1951, he introduced his first commercial model of electric guitar known as the Broadcaster. This prototype solid-body guitar would eventually evolve into the legendary Telecaster and was the first solid-body electric Spanish-style guitar ever to go into mainstream commercial production. Soon after the Tele was developed, the revolutionary Precision Bass guitar was released in 1951, and the infamous Stratocaster in 1954.

Sold to media giant CBS in 1965 due to Leo Fender suffering poor health, the sales of Fender products continued to grow under their ownership - but not for long. Due to a decline in sales and a non-musician focussed company, in 1981 William Schultz was named President, and was tasked with re-inventing the Fender name. This choice was one of the most important in the Fender story and the development of the Fender product range thrived under the focussed control of Schultz. In 1985 the fender name was sold to Schultz by CBS as they had decided to concentrate on the media side of their business empire.

The team had to start from nothing - there were no buildings or factories included and they owned only the name, patents, and parts that were in stock. Schultz and his colleagues set out from nothing to re-build an American icon

Fender had originally imported their guitars from offshore manufacturers who had proven their ability to produce affordable and quality instruments. But the desire for even more control over quality led to the construction of Fenders first factory in Corona, California. Eventually, Fender would build a 2nd manufacturing facility, also in California, with the target of being able to build quality instruments and offer them to a retail market at budget prices

Fender has always recognized the importance of including professional musicians in their manufacturing process. When influential artists started requesting specific features for their guitars, they were accommodated on an individual basis by the Fender team. In 1987, these important relationships led to the formalizing of Fenders custom operation. Even to this day the worlds greatest guitarists work with the Fender Custom Shop in California, to create their own unique instruments.

But the biggest event for Fender was the opening of its new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Corona in 1998. The 177,000 square-foot facility was built on a 19 acre site, with over half of that space set aside for future growth projects. The entire line of American Fender guitars, including the Fender Strat, are built at the Corona factory, which can make over 350 guitars per day. In addition to this, the Corona factory utilizes an innovative eco system, which ensures that any air emitted from the production factory is 95% clean. The Fender Custom Shop is also located at the new Corona based facility and over 50 craftsmen now work there, offering hand made custom instruments to professional musicians. At a price!

During the past 10 years, Fender has grown in sales and also in stature. The company designs, makes and distributes everything that a guitarist or musician needs to perform. This includes the guitar, strings and accessories, the professional audio products including amplifiers and mixing boards. Under Schultzs direction, Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is the world leader in the design, manufacturing and distribution of electric guitars.

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