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Fender Guitars, headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, has been making fine instruments for since 1947. Here is a brief history of their inception and how they came to manufacture the world standard in electric instruments.

Fender’s Radio Service began in 1938 when it’s founder, Leo Fender, was a technician skilled in fixing amplifiers, radios and other electronic equipment. As a side project, they also vended records and made PA equipment that they rented out.

In the 1940′s, Leo partnered with “Doc” Kauffman forming K & F Manufacturing Corporation. They began building and selling electronic amplifiers and instruments. In 1945, they began manufacturing Hawaiian lap steel guitars, and patented the guitar pickups. Kauffman was not sold on the chance for success, so in 1946, Kauffman and Leo parted ways. The company was renamed Fender Electric Instrument Company.

In 1948, the company began manufacturing amplifiers that were the first big hit. They covered the front with tweed, leading to the name “tweed amps”. By 1963 the company moved to a Tolex cover with a black casing and chrome fittings. These tube amps became a mainstay to the budding Rock, jazz and blues musicians of the day.

1954 saw the introduction of the “Stratocaster”. This instrument quickly became to standard for electric guitars. With its body cut away top and bottom and a top horn to balance the weight, it quickly became the guitar to have if you were a jazz, blues or rock musician. It didn’t take long for the Stratocaster to make it into the hands of famous musicians. The design of the Stratocaster has been hailed as a timeless example of excellent industrial design. Today many examples of the Strat, as it is affectionately know, including the Hot Rodded American, American, American Special, American Standard, and the American Deluxe.

Fender Company created an extensive line of instruments. The telecaster and acoustic guitars make up a few, as well s their line of basses including the Jazz Master and the Precision Bass, also known in the music industry as the “P-Bass”. An extensive list of fine musicians use Fenders, like Kurt Cobain, George Harrison, Waylon Jennings, Keith Richards, John Frusciante, Bruce Springsteen and Jimi Hendrix just to name a few.

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.

Are you searching for a fender guitar or guitar amplifier? You might want to try shopping online.. Also published at A Quick History Detailing Fender Guitars.