WHAT FENDER HAS TO OFFER YOU

Electric guitarists often choose guitars that replicate their personality. When it comes to electric guitars, you can’t go past a Fender. The staff at our Auckland showroom love talking Fender with anyone who wants more information or just deciphering between all the different types! Whether you’re playing to your favourite record in your room, or playing Vector Arena, Lewis Eady can help you choose your perfect Fender.

Like the Martin Guitar Company, Fender revolutionised the electric guitar. In 1950, Fender introduced their first creation, the Fender Esquire; shortly after its release, Fender introduced a two-pickup version, the Broadcaster, more commonly known as the Telecaster.

Probably the most common Fender known as the Stratocaster was introduced in 1954. Originally, the Stratocaster was offered in 2-color sunburst finish on a contoured ash body. Although Fender records are not available that early, research has concluded that 268 Fender Stratocasters were made in late 1954.  Modern day collectors will pay massive amounts of money for these instruments. Guitars from this year, can reach upwards of $100,000 USD. Although many people relish the sound of pre CBS Fenders, the modern designs and electronic enhancements, make new Fenders sound and play like some of the best electric guitars you can buy.

Different Fenders are made in different parts of the world. In the 1980’s Fender moved some production of their guitars to Japan. When CBS sold Fender to its current owners in 1984, many Japanese Fenders as well as left over American stock were sold in the USA for a few years. Pre 1990 Japanese Fenders are often held in very high regard and are likened to the quality of the modern day Mexican made models, which now fulfill most of the export role formerly held by Japanese Fenders.

In 1982, Fender began to use the Squier brand (previously a string manufacturer) to market their take on copying their own Fender Stratocaster in order to compete for the rising demand for Stratocaster copies. Squier guitars have been manufactured in Japan, Korea, India, Indonesia and China. Squier stamps its name on several copies of Fenders including the Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jagmaster, and other variations but with generally cheaper hardware, bridges and electronics.