History
Fender offered the first mass-produced solid-body Spanish-style electric guitar, the Telecaster (originally named the 'Broadcaster'; 'Esquire' is a single pickup version) the first mass-produced electric bass, the Precision Bass (P-Bass); and the popular Stratocaster (Strat) guitar. While Fender was not the first to manufacture electric guitars, as other companies and luthiers had produced electric guitars since the late 1920s, none was as commercially successful as Fender's. Furthermore, while nearly all other electric guitars then were either hollow-body guitars or more specialized instruments such as Rickenbacker's solid-body Hawaiian guitars, Fender had created versatile solid-body electric guitars. These guitars were and still are popular for musicians in a variety of genres. Many bands still use Fender guitars today. Some notable Fender players, both past and present, include: Danny Gatton, Roy Buchanan, Albert Collins, Buck Owens, Don Rich, Doyle Holly, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Duff Mckagan, Ritchie Blackmore, Yngwie Malmsteen, Waylon Jennings, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck, Steve Cropper, Tom Morello, Kurt Cobain, Rory Gallagher, George Harrison, John Frusciante, Keith Richards, Bruce Springsteen, Steve Miller, Dave "Mello D" Fernandez, Brian Wilson, Rick Parfitt, Francis Rossi, Hank Marvin, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, David Gilmour, John Mayer, Pete Townshend, Marc "Mad Dog" Davis, Mark Hoppus, Mike Dirnt, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jim Root, Dave Murray, Tinsley Ellis, Tom Principato, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and many others.
The company also makes and / or distributes acoustic guitars, electric basses, mandolins, banjos, and electric violins, as well as guitar amplifiers, bass amplifiers, and PA (public address) equipment. Other Fender brands include Squier (entry level/budget), Guild (acoustic and electric guitars and amplifiers), SWR (bass amplification), Passport Tacoma, Jackson, Charvel, Gretsch guitars and collaborated with Eddie Van Halen to make the EVH guitars and amplifiers.
On February 11, 1994 the Fender manufacturing plant based in Ensenada, Mexico burned down. Fender President Bill Shultz decided to temporarily move production from the Mexico plant to the U.S. plant. These Fender guitars are fairly rare and can be identified by the unique serial number.
On October 28, 2007, Fender announced its intention to buy Kaman Music Corporation (owners of Hamer Guitars, Ovation Guitars, Genz Benz amplifiers, Gibraltar Hardware, along with many others, and exclusive distributor for Sabian cymbals and Takamine Guitars).
Other Fender instruments include the Mustang, Jazzmaster, Jaguar, Starcaster, Duo-Sonic, Toronado and Bronco guitars; basses such as the Jazz Bass, the 'Telecaster Bass' reissue of the original 1950s Precision Bass; a line of lap steels; three models of electric violin, and the Fender Rhodes electric piano.
For a full list of products made by Fender see: Fender Musical Instrument Corporation product list
Read more about this topic: Fender Musical Instruments Corporation
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