Fender Electric Guitar

Anyone who has ever played air guitar will know the allure of the Fender electric guitar. The brand, founded by Leo Fender in 1946, stands for innovation and quality. Many classic models have become cultural icons and famous players endorse these instruments from all popular genres. The company has a number of respected subsidiaries, such as Squier and Gretsch. EVH is another subsidiary, the result of collaboration with rock guitarist, Eddie Van Halen.

This company were the pioneers of electric music. We take guitar bands for granted today but it is all thanks to the revolution in music technology and Fender electric guitars led the way. The first solid body electric guitar to go into mass production was the Fender Telecaster. In continuous production since its launch, it is the oldest guitar of its kind in the world. Many renowned guitarists have favored the instrument including Steve Cropper, Albert Collins, and Jeff Beck. The legendary Bob Dylan has sported a Telecaster, as has Graham Coxon from British indie band, Blur.

The brand is also feted for its contribution to jazz and the Precision Bass is the first ever mass-produced electric bass instrument. Not only chosen by jazz musicians, this bass is played on funk, country and rock records. It can be heard on early Elvis Presley songs, played by his regular bassist, Bill Black. Rock bands have also used the Precision, including Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath, Adam Clayton from U2, John Deacon of Queen, Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin.

Probably the most famous of all the Fender electric guitars produced over the years however, is the Stratocaster. Known affectionately as the Strat, it is good to look at and fantastic to play. Again, it has been endorsed by the best guitarists in the world and has been used in a variety of ways, to produce a distinctive sound.

One of its early fans was Buddy Holly, the rock and roll pioneer who wrote his own songs and created his own individual playing style. During the 1960s, Surf Guitar was very popular, as exemplified by a Strat playing guitarist called Dick Dale. Slide guitar specialist Ry Cooder also chooses the Stratocaster as does Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, The Edge from U2, and David Gilmour from Pink Floyd. Beatles John Lennon and George Harrison took up the Stratocaster for the Rubber Soul recording sessions.

Other models that have enjoyed commercial success and the respect of musicians include the Mustang and the Jazzmaster. Both these instruments were a part of the Surf Guitar scene in the 1960s and both have been taken up by rock bands after a resurgence of interest in the instruments during the 1990s.

In addition to the best selling Fender electric guitars, the company also makes acoustic guitars, banjos, mandolins and violins. It also produces guitar amplifiers, bass amplifiers and public address equipment.