Fender is the most influential electric guitar company in history. Founded by Clarence Leonidas "Leo" Fender in 1946, the company revolutionized music by creating the first commercially successful solid-body electric guitar and bass. Today, Fender instruments remain the gold standard for rock, blues, country, jazz, and virtually every genre of popular music.
The Leo Fender Story
Leo Fender wasn't a guitarist – he was a radio repairman and electronics enthusiast from Fullerton, California. This outsider perspective proved revolutionary. While established guitar makers like Gibson were building hollow-body instruments based on traditional lutherie, Leo approached guitar design as an engineering problem. His goal: create instruments that could be mass-produced with consistent quality and easily repaired.
In 1950, Fender introduced the Esquire/Broadcaster (later renamed Telecaster) – the first commercially successful solid-body electric guitar. Its simple bolt-on neck design meant any part could be replaced without specialized skills. In 1954, the Stratocaster followed, adding a contoured body, tremolo system, and three pickups. These two designs would define electric guitar for decades.
Leo sold Fender to CBS in 1965 for $13 million. The CBS era (1965-1985) saw quality control issues that made pre-CBS "vintage" Fenders highly sought after. In 1985, employees bought the company back, and modern Fender has restored the brand's reputation for quality while expanding production globally.
The Stratocaster Family
The Fender Stratocaster is arguably the most recognizable guitar silhouette in the world. Its double-cutaway body, three single-coil pickups, and synchronized tremolo created a template that's been copied endlessly but never truly replicated.
What Makes a Strat a Strat
- Three single-coil pickups with 5-way selector – bright, articulate tone with those famous "in-between" positions
- Synchronized tremolo bridge – smooth vibrato from subtle shimmer to dive bombs
- Contoured body – comfortable for hours of playing
- Bolt-on maple neck – snappy attack and easy replacement
- 25.5" scale length – the Fender standard, bright and responsive
Stratocaster Models
Entry/Mid Level:
- Fender Player Stratocaster~£522 used – Mexican-made, Alnico 5 pickups, excellent value
- Fender Player II Stratocaster~£480 used – Updated for 2024 with Alnico II pickups, rolled edges
Professional Level:
- Fender American Professional II Stratocaster~£1136 used – USA-made, V-Mod II pickups, push-push switching
- Fender American Ultra – Premium features, compound radius neck, noiseless pickups
High End:
- Fender American Vintage II – Period-correct reissues
- Fender Custom Shop – Hand-built, relic options, premium woods
The Telecaster Family
The Fender Telecaster predates the Strat and remains a studio and stage workhorse. Its slab body, two single-coil pickups, and fixed bridge deliver a distinctly different character – more twang, more bite, more direct.
What Makes a Tele a Tele
- Two single-coil pickups – bridge pickup is legendary for country twang and rock bite
- Fixed bridge with brass saddles – maximum sustain and tuning stability
- Slab body – no contours, simple and resonant
- 3-way selector – neck, both, bridge
- That unmistakable twang – nothing else sounds like a Tele bridge pickup
Telecaster Models
Entry/Mid Level:
- Fender Player Telecaster~£405 used – Mexican-made, modern C neck, great all-rounder
- Fender Player II Telecaster~£529 used – 2024 update with refined features
Professional Level:
- Fender American Professional II Telecaster~£1099 used – USA-made, V-Mod II pickups, vintage-style bridge
- Fender American Ultra – Modern features, compound radius, S-1 switching
Offset Guitars: Jazzmaster & Jaguar
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Fender introduced offset-waist designs targeting jazz players. While they never conquered jazz, these guitars found devoted followings in surf rock, alternative, shoegaze, and indie.
Jazzmaster (1958)
The Fender Jazzmaster~£8618 used was Fender's flagship when introduced. Features include:
- Wide, flat single-coil pickups – warmer than Strat pickups, darker and fatter
- Floating tremolo – different feel from Strat trem, smoother
- Rhythm circuit – separate controls for a preset "rhythm" tone
- Offset waist – designed for seated playing comfort
Famous users: J Mascis, Kevin Shields, Nels Cline, Elvis Costello
Jaguar (1962)
The Fender Jaguar~£3533 used shares the offset body but adds:
- Shorter 24" scale length – easier bends, slinkier feel
- Individual pickup on/off switches – complex but versatile switching
- Mute pad – rarely used today but historically interesting
- Chrome plates – distinctive visual appearance
Famous users: Johnny Marr, Kurt Cobain, John Frusciante
Understanding Fender's Model Tiers
Fender's current lineup spans multiple price points and manufacturing locations:
Squier (Indonesia/China) – £150-400 Budget-friendly, learning guitars
Player (Mexico) – £600-800 Professional quality, best value
Player II (Mexico) – £700-900 2024 updates, refined specs
Vintera (Mexico) – £900-1100 Vintage-spec reissues
American Performer (USA) – £1100-1300 Entry-level American
American Professional II (USA) – £1500-1800 Modern professional standard
American Ultra (USA) – £1800-2200 Premium modern features
American Vintage II (USA) – £2000-2500 Period-correct reissues
Custom Shop (USA) – £3000+ Hand-built, limited editions
Which Tier Should You Buy?
- Beginners: Squier Classic Vibe offers surprising quality
- Gigging musicians: Player series punches well above its price
- Serious players: American Professional II is the sweet spot
- Collectors/Enthusiasts: Vintage II or Custom Shop
Fender vs Gibson: The Eternal Debate
The Fender vs Gibson debate has raged since the 1950s. Here's the fundamental difference:
Construction – Fender uses bolt-on necks; Gibson uses set necks (glued)
Pickups – Fender uses single-coils; Gibson uses humbuckers
Tone – Fender is bright, snappy, articulate; Gibson is warm, thick, sustained
Weight – Fender is lighter (7-8 lbs); Gibson is heavier (8-10 lbs)
Scale Length – Fender is 25.5"; Gibson is 24.75"
Maintenance – Fender is easy (modular design); Gibson is harder (neck repairs costly)
Neither is "better" – they're different tools for different sounds. Many professional guitarists own both.
Who Is This For?
Fender guitars suit virtually every player and style:
- Blues players – Strat neck pickup is the definitive blues tone
- Country players – Telecaster bridge pickup defines the genre
- Rock players – Both Strat and Tele cover everything from clean to high gain
- Jazz players – Jazzmaster delivers warm, complex chords
- Alternative/Indie – Jaguar and Jazzmaster are genre staples
- Session musicians – Fender versatility handles any gig
If you're unsure where to start, the Fender Player Stratocaster~£522 used offers the most versatility for the money. For something with more bite and simplicity, the Fender Player Telecaster~£405 used is equally excellent.
