The story behind the versatile guitar that conquered country, blues, rock and punk. Very nice combination, found in tom wheelers book american guitars. More than 50 years on, the mighty fender stratocaster and telecaster, along with the precision bass and jazz bass, still form the backbone of the fender range, available from dawsons. Sep 21, 1992 this is an excellent book about fender guitars and the history of the companys founding. A brief history of squier and the origins of fender mij. Fender timeline the history of fender guitars soundunlimited. Fender published 27 issues of the magazine from 1990 through 2000. For fender fans and collectors, guitar enthusiasts, and lovers of popular musica complete guide to fender electric guitars, from the 1950s to the present. This is an excellent book about fender guitars and the history of the companys founding. Key events such as the cbs takeover in 1965 and the formation of fender japan in 1982 are related to the guitars of the time, and specially record interview with former and. The topics and information in these books span the entire history of the strat and should. Whether for commercial andor industrial reasons, fender began to reduce its choice of colors in 69, when six were abandoned including early classics like fiesta red, dakota red, and foam green.
Os earliest period to its most recent products, this bookos striking color photography showcases historyos finest fenders plus the most unusual. Notable interviewees included kurt cobain in fall 1994, in what was his last interview. Paperback for fender fans and collectors, guitar enthusiasts, and lovers of popular musica complete guide to fender electric guitars, from the 1950s to the present. Shop fender guitars, basses, amplifiers, audio equipment, accessories, apparel and more. And while the americanmade guitars were seen as getting progressively worse, the japanesemade instruments were getting better. Fender guitars are just as remarkable for their history as their sound. Shop for the hal leonard the telecaster guitar book a complete history of fender telecaster guitars and receive free shipping on your order and the guaranteed lowest price. The number one source of guitar and amplifier pricing and information so you can find the price and value of your used guitars and amplifier. A 1969 fender catalog page shows a wide variation of guitars.
This is a great book for every fan of fender and the stratocaster but be aware the first half of the book which deals with fender history is word for word the same as the telecaster book. Below is a fairly complete fender and stratocaster bibliography, including many must haves for the serious stratocaster enthusiast. The early days of the fender precision bass disc makers blog. In august the fender mustang was introduced 1965 on january 5th 1965, fender was sold to a subsidiary of cbs columbia broadcasting systems called columbia records distribution corp. With the squier models being manufactured in japan, squier quickly rose to prominence as a secondline guitar brand. Fender musical instruments company company history. Finally, the stratocaster was introduced in spring 1954 as fenders new topline guitar, in tremolo and nontremolo versions. This is my short history of the fender stratocaster. The fender book is the first to tell the story of all fenders electric guitars, starting with the impact of their innovative 1950s classics and culminating with the establishment in 1985 of the presentday fender company.
This book tells the complete story of fender guitars, detailing classics such as the telecaster, stratocaster, and jazzmaster as well as lesserknown and less successful models. Dec 07, 2019 edward burton rated it liked it this is an excellent book about fender guitars and the history of the companys founding. Fender musical instruments corporation fmic is the worlds leading guitar manufacturer, and its name has become synonymous with all things rock n roll. Fender has been around for over 70 years, initially setting the bar for guitars, basses and amplifiers and repeatedly raising that bar with new innovations, such as fender plays debut in 2017. In 72, four more were removed as naturalfinish instruments became increasingly fashionable. Leo fender changed all that and made a huge mark in music history when he introduced the fender precision bass. The first models with the squier inscription on the headstock were reproductions of fenders most famous guitars. The most obvious feature of the swedish guitarists instrument was its scalloped fingerboard, the inspiration for which had come early. Aug 29, 2008 the fender custom shop was founded in 1987, to offer limited runs and oneoff hand built guitars. The inside story, forrest white, former vicepresident and production manager for the fender electric instruments company, traces the concept of the telecaster to a guitar that a parttime guitar maker in southern california, paul.
Jul 22, 2010 with the squier models being manufactured in japan, squier quickly rose to prominence as a secondline guitar brand. Even the mighty gibson company cannot boast such a successful instrument, a true icon for generations of guitar players the popularity of the fender stratocaster is almost entirely due to the bright tone it produces, and its. Jun 29, 2018 fenders acoustic guitar history is unique in that they began manufacturing electric guitars, before they manufactured acoustic guitars, which at the time was not the normal. The history of the fender stratocaster gmc guitar lessons. Key events such as the cbs takeover in 1965 and the formation of fender japan in 1982 are related to the guitars of the. Fender guitars have long been the instruments of choice for artists such as jeff beck, eric clapton, jimi hendrix and stevie ray vaughan. This indepth story is illustrated with large, highquality photos of rare, outstanding and unusual fender models, together with some choice selections of fender memorabilia. A look at some of the highlights of fender and music culture as a whole. Fender started production and commercialization of acoustic guitars in the 1960s, more than a decade after they had released their first electric guitars. The origins of fender signature guitars reverb news.
Dec 01, 2010 this is a great book for every fan of fender and the stratocaster but be aware the first half of the book which deals with fender history is word for word the same as the telecaster book. Fullerton, california, 1951 leo fender is alone in the workshop, bathed in a pool of light from his lamp. He is a cofounder of backbeat uk and jawbone press. Fender ad featuring the signature guitars of eric clapton and yngwie malmsteen fender released in 1988 a second signature model, the yngwie malmsteen stratocaster. Since then, the strat has been played by countless guitarists, from jimi hendrix to buddy guy and jeff beck. The book also details many other basses including the mustang bass, telecaster bass and fender vi bass eadgbe. Leo fenders company changed the course of popular music in 1954 when they introduced the stratocaster.
He is author of the ultimate guitar book and the recent backbeat title, six decades of the fender telecaster, coauthor of several volumes in the popular guitar profiles series, and editor of echo and twang. It covers the spectrum of every fender guitar made and includes a handy reference guide in the back as an assist to help one determine the manufacture period of his or her fender guitar. To mark the 60th anniversary of fender, backbeat introduced a new, completely revised third edition of this bestseller. Fender guitars have long been the instruments of choice for artists such as jeff beck eric clapton jimi hendrix and stevie ray vaughan. It was a sleekly beautiful instrument bursting with great features and. Fenders guitars have long been the instruments of choice for artists such as jeff beck, eric clapton, jimi hendrix, and stevie ray vaughan. Day and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at. In fact, companies such as tokai gakki and fujigen gakki, which also made ibanez guitars, were making instruments that were extremely close replicas of the stratocasters and telecasters made by fender during its halcyon days of the late 50s and early 60s. There is little mention of fender v bass eadgc but a few pictures. Fender literally wrote the book on electric basses, laying the foundation for musical innovation and evolution. Oct 02, 2017 the book includes dozens of high quality photos of rarely seen basses plus reference section. Best book on fender guitars fender stratocaster guitar forum.
Fender guitar history, models, and how to find serial numbers. It would take about a decade before the introduction. Even the mighty gibson company cannot boast such a successful instrument, a true icon for generations of guitar players. The first known ad for it appeared in that aprils issue of international musician magazine, and a small preproduction run began that month. List of products manufactured by fender musical instruments. Jun 25, 2019 this is my short history of the fender stratocaster. Fender musical instruments corporation fmic, or simply fender is an american manufacturer of stringed instruments and amplifiers. A complete history of fender electric guitars 9781871547542 by bacon. The fender book is the first to tell the story of all fender s electric guitars, starting with the impact of their innovative 1950s classics and culminating with the establishment in 1985 of the presentday fender company. Jimmy pages announcement of new signature telecasters comes almost exactly 30 years since fender released its very first signature models, although even then the idea of a signature or artist model was hardly a new one way back in the 1920s, it was gibson who jumped on the popularity of nick lucas, the first american to become a big star through guitarandvocal hits. Sep 12, 2019 this is our short history video of the fender precision bass. A complete history of fender stratocaster guitars a bit of a niche book but probably a must read if you own, or inspire to own, a fender strat. Find the current blue book value and worth of your new and used guitars, both acoustic, electric and amplifier. Basically the book is, as the subtitle suggests, a complete history.
In mid1962, with the instrumental rock and roll blooming into surf and becoming hip in california and elsewhere, fender introduced the jaguar model. Tony bacon bristol, england writes about music, musicians, and musical instruments. Now in its second edition, the fender book has become the definitive story of the worldos bestknown solidbody electric guitars. The fender line began by taking the standard of the day and improving on it. For anyone trying to identify the differences in fender bass models over the years, this book is a must have. The stratocaster guitar book a complete history of. Discover the sound of fender, the spirit of rocknroll since 1946. This book tells the complete story of fender guitars, detailing classics such as the telecaster, stratocaster, and jazzmaster as.
Fenders creations helped amplify and merge sounds to create a new type of harmony. The stratocaster guitar book is a glorious compendium of beautiful pictures, a gripping history, and a detailed guide to all strat models. Excerpted from the bass book, heres a brief history of the fender precision bass an instrument that revolutionized rock n roll. You might think that short here in the title is something of a misnomer, but the history of about 30 years worth of guitars is packed in to.
To mark the 60th anniversary of fender, backbeats introduced a new, completely revised third edition of this bestseller. In celebration of the impact fender has had on popular music, weve put together this handy infographic. The stratocaster guitar book a complete history of fender. Fender produces acoustic guitars, bass amplifiers and public address equipment, but is best known for its solidbody electric guitars and bass guitars, particularly the stratocaster, telecaster, precision bass, and the jazz bass.
Over the last 30 years, the fender custom shop has rewritten the rules of highend guitars and blurred the line between big name brands and boutique instruments. While leo fender and the staff of his small southern california instrument and ampmaking company knew that theyd built a revolutionary new guitar when they introduced the telecaster in early 1951, they had no idea of the size and scope of the musical. Other guitar makers had created solidbody electric guitars as early as the mid1930s, and in his book, fender. Take the extremely large and bulky stand up or double bass, make is smaller and fretted with a solid body and play it horizontally like a guitar and add an electric pickup so it could be amplified. Shop fender electric guitars, acoustics, bass, amps and more. This is the complete story of the stratocaster and the fender company, from the struggles of the 1950s to the new models, retro reissues, and luscious collectibles of the 21st century.
A complete history of fender electric guitars for fender fans and collectors, guitar enthusiasts, and lovers of popular musica complete guide to fender electric guitars, from the 1950s to the present. The fender stratocaster is the worlds most written about electric guitar, a definite advantage for both strat fans and collectors. Since this is a short history this is in no way meant to be a guide for collectors, we just try to hit the major portions in the. Hal leonard the telecaster guitar book a complete history of fender telecaster guitars this new version of tony bacons six decades of the fender telecaster shows how the worlds first commercially successful solidbody electric guitar still attracts musicians more than 60 years since its birth in california. The fender electric guitar book 3rd edition a complete. Richard r smiths book fender, the sound heard round the world is fairly extensive in its history of fender, and i think is a good book to have. Hal leonard the telecaster guitar book a complete history. The book includes dozens of high quality photos of rarely seen basses plus reference section. Hal leonard the telecaster guitar book a complete history of fender telecaster guitars this new version of tony bacons six decades of the fender telecaster shows how the worlds first commercially successful solidbody electric guitar still attracts musicians more than. Fender s guitars have long been the instruments of choice for artists such as jeff beck, eric clapton, jimi hendrix, and stevie ray vaughan. This is our short history video of the fender precision bass. Fender california series 19821995, 2010present fender concert 19631970.