To mark the 60th anniversary of fender, backbeats introduced a new, completely revised third edition of this bestseller. In the period roughly between 1932 and 1949, several craftsmen and companies experimented with solidbody electric guitars, but none had made a significant impact on the market. It is distinct from the precision bass in that its tone is brighter and richer in the midrange and treble with less. For fender fans and collectors, guitar enthusiasts, and lovers of popular musica complete guide to fender electric guitars. The very first fender stratocaster was produced in 1954, and since this time it has remained one of the most popular guitar models with guitar players of all types. How fender s highend original went from forgotten to fundamental. Os earliest period to its most recent products, this bookos striking color photography showcases historyos finest fenders plus the most unusual. A complete history of fender amplifiers by john morrish 1994, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. It covers the spectrum of every fender guitar made and includes a handy reference guide in the back as an assist to help one determine the manufacture period of his or her fender guitar. These pages are dedicated to the greatest amplifiers ever made. Custom shop nocaster reissues are very popular among players today due to their vintage styling and attempt to recreate a unique time in the instruments history. How fenders highend original went from forgotten to fundamental. From surf to shoegaze, a history of the jaguar fender.
For fender fans and collectors, guitar enthusiasts, and lovers of popular musica complete guide to fender electric guitars, from the 1950s to the present. Reference materials for dating fender instruments if youre unable to identify the approximate production year of your instrument using the above charts, several excellent books are available that contain invaluable and reliable information on the history of fender instruments. The first half of the book is about the origins of the electric guitar and how fender. A complete history of fender electric guitars by tony bacon, paul day online at alibris. Fullerton, california, 1951 leo fender is alone in the workshop, bathed in a pool of light from his lamp. The early days of the fender precision bass disc makers blog. The fender jazz bass or j bass is the second model of electric bass created by leo fender. Learn about leo fender s revolutionary guitar creation. Duchossoir published a very short book only 64 pages, the fender stratocaster. I reckon the richard smith book, fender the sound heard round the world, is the best book on the telecaster. Over the last 30 years, the fender custom shop has rewritten the rules of highend guitars and blurred the line between big name brands and boutique instruments. Fender timeline the history of fender guitars soundunlimited. The book links here are amazon affiliate links and i get a small piece to help support the channel if you buy one via the link. Anyone that is familiar with tony bacon already knows he is at the top of his game telling the stories of many famous guitars such as fenders telecaster and gibsons les paul.
Find the current blue book value and worth of your new and used guitars, both acoustic, electric and amplifier. This is the story of the fender mustang electric guitar. Fender produces acoustic guitars, bass amplifiers and public. The fender stratocaster history started in 1954, when leo fender, george fullerton and freddie tavares designed the double cutaway guitar body that would change the history of music forever. The stratocaster guitar book a complete history of fender. The book begins with the early history of electric guitars and the impact of les paul and leo fender on the music industry. Fender produces acoustic guitars, bass amplifiers and public address equipment, but is best known for its solidbody electric guitars and bass guitars, particularly the stratocaster, telecaster, precision bass, and the jazz bass.
I would imagine all those years ago, possibly before tony bacon was born, leo came up with the name tremolo, probably from the italian word tremulant, latin based,read up on it, make your own mind up. It also covers the other model guitars, steels and amps, but the stuff on the telecaster is particularly good and very extensive. The fender stratocaster is the quintessential electric guitara worldwide archetype. Basically the book is, as the subtitle suggests, a complete history. Buy a cheap copy of the fender book a complete history of. This is not a bad book by means, but any fender book written by mr. A complete history of fender electric guitars by paul day.
Much of the history of modern popular music owes a great deal of its sound to the telecaster. Very nice combination, found in tom wheelers book american guitars. He is author of the ultimate guitar book and the recent backbeat title, six decades of the fender telecaster, coauthor of. The number one source of guitar and amplifier pricing and information so you can find the. The fender custom shop produces specialorder guitars for customers through a custom shop dealer network, creates limited edition high end quality guitars, builds limited edition. Hal leonard the telecaster guitar book a complete history. The stratocaster guitar book is a glorious compendium of beautiful pictures, a gripping history. A complete history of fender telecaster guitars by tony bacon 2012, paperback, revised at the best online. Hardcover the fender book a complete history of the. Owing some roots to the jazzmaster, it was introduced in 1962 as fender. When leo fender added a bass to his growing family of instruments 50 years ago, he created a new world for musicians and revolutionized an industry in the process. A history of the fender champ amplifier fender guitars.
To mark the 60th anniversary of fender, backbeat introduced a new, completely revised third edition of this bestseller. They are detailed reference resources with a wealth of information on determining the production years of various amplifiers and on fender history in general. Now in its second edition, the fender book has become the definitive story of the worldos bestknown solidbody electric guitars. Bacon, always seems to have a reference to the tremolo system invented by leo fender, and how he chose the name in error. Shop fender electric guitars, acoustics, bass, amps and more. Even the mighty gibson company cannot boast such a successful instrument, a true icon for generations of guitar players.
A complete history of fender stratocaster guitars a bit of a niche book but probably a must read if you own, or inspire to own, a fender strat. After the release of the telecaster in 1952, from the early esquire and broadcaster models, leo fender received a lot of feedback from guitar players on how the design of his solidbody guitar could be improved. The fender jaguar is an electric guitar by fender musical instruments characterized by an offsetwaist body, a relatively unusual switching system with two separate circuits for lead and rhythm, and a mediumscale 24 neck. Since this is a short history this is in no way meant to be a guide for collectors, we just try to hit the major portions in the. Mar 26, 2020 the book links here are amazon affiliate links and i get a small piece to help support the channel if you buy one via the link. In mid1962, with the instrumental rock and roll blooming into surf and becoming hip in california and elsewhere, fender introduced the jaguar model.
Tony bacon has specialized in music journalism for over 20 years. A complete history of fender electric guitars hardcover november, 1992 by tony bacon author. Hardcover the fender book a complete history of the electric guitar. A complete history of fender instruments by tony bacon 2007, paperback, revised at the best online. This book is thoroughly researched, and the photographs of amazing vintage instruments are top notch and highly artistic. Fullerton, california, 1951 leo fender is alone in the. Maybe thats because it was so well designed to start with that it has existed. The history of the fender stratocaster guitar masterclass. This book by tony bacon recaptures the complete history of that ultimate axe, and its creator, the reverend leo fender. A brief history of squier and the origins of fender mij.
There is writing on the first page and the dust cover has a rip by the binding that has been taped. We were brought in to kind of turn the reputation of fender around, and to get it so it was making money again, smith said, as quoted in the fender book, by tony bacon and paul day. Fender guitars have long been the instruments of choice for artists such as jeff beck, eric clapton, jimi hendrix and stevie ray vaughan. A complete history of fender electric guitars 9781871547542 by bacon. Shop fender guitars, basses, amplifiers, audio equipment, accessories, apparel and more. The full story on the strats initial groundbreaking years.
Nearly seven decades since founder leo fender built his first electric guitar, fenders reach transcends instruments and accessories, encompassing a range of innovative digital experiences that fuel musical expression and serve players at every stageon every stage. Excellent book full of information for fender lovers and amp information in general. Discover the sound of fender, the spirit of rocknroll since 1946. This is our short history video of the fender jazz bass. Useful as well as entertaining, the fender book also provides a meticulous reference section of model specifications for identifying and dating fenders made in the u. An abridged history of the fender telecaster reverb news. Fender guitars have long been the instruments of choice for artists such as jeff beck eric clapton jimi hendrix and stevie ray vaughan.
This is the complete story of the stratocaster and the fender company, from the struggles of the 1950s to the new models, retro reissues, and luscious collectibles of the 21st century. Nov 28, 2016 excerpted from the bass book, heres a brief history of the fender precision bass an instrument that revolutionized rock n roll. Fender timeline the history of fender guitars 1909 august 10th, clarence leonidas fender is born. A complete history of fender electric guitars bacon, tony, day, paul on. The fender telecaster was developed by leo fender in fullerton, california in 1950. To mark the 60th anniversary of fender backbeats introduced a new completely revised third edition of this bestseller.
Indeed, we use these same books here at fender when researching historical and daterelated issues. As with the rest of fender s amp lineup, the champ and vibro champ were outfitted with the silverface look in 1968, and that existed until 1982, a year thtat birthed the champ ii with 18 watts of power, a 10. The success story of a legendary guitar born in california. The number one source of guitar and amplifier pricing and information so you can find the price and value of your used guitars and amplifier. Tony bacon this new version of tony bacons six decades of the fender telecaster shows how the worlds first commercially successful. Basically the book is, as the subtitle suggests, a complete. The stratocaster guitar book a complete history of.
Not being a guitarist himself, fender benefited from the working knowledge that he received and put it to practical use in his designs. The fender book is the first to tell the story of all fender s electric guitars, starting with the impact of their innovative 1950s classics and culminating with the establishment in 1985 of the presentday fender. It was starting to lose money, and at that point in time everybody hated fender. In mid1962, with the instrumental rock and roll blooming into surf and becoming hip in california and elsewhere, fender. A bit of a niche book but probably a must read if you own, or inspire to own, a fender strat. Anyone that is familiar with tony bacon already knows he is at the top of his game telling the stories of many famous guitars such as fenders. Its an interesting part of fender lore, and if you find one of these in your grandmas attic or basement, cling to it with all your might.
Fender history books fender stratocaster guitar forum. The fender custom shop is a division of fender musical instruments corporation, housed within their headquarters complex in corona, riverside county, california. When leo fender added a bass to his growing family of instruments 50 years. It doesnt just cover the history of fender in words and dates, but through amazing photography which brings to life the ascent of fender from humble beginnings to an american icon. Sep 21, 1992 this is an excellent book about fender guitars and the history of the companys founding. Fender musical instruments corporation fmic, or simply fender is an american manufacturer of stringed instruments and amplifiers.
Day and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Tony bacon a copy that has been read, but remains in excellent condition. The stratocaster guitar book is a glorious compendium of beautiful pictures, a gripping history, and a detailed guide to all strat models. The story behind the versatile guitar that conquered.
A complete history of fender instruments by tony bacon 2007, paperback, revised at the best online prices at ebay. Sounds stuffy but tony bacon makes it enjoyable and an easy read, bringing out the characters involved. The telecaster guitar book a complete history of fender. The book also details many other basses including the mustang bass, telecaster bass and fender vi bass eadgbe. For anyone trying to identify the differences in fender bass models over the years, this book. This story was compiled from many articles with information about the fender mustang guitar, contributions from readers like you, and my ownership of various fender. Excerpted from the bass book, heres a brief history of the fender precision bass an instrument that revolutionized rock n roll. Another excellent book dedicated to making rope fenders.
For anyone trying to identify the differences in fender bass models over the years, this book is a must have. There is little mention of fender v bass eadgc but a few pictures. Whether or not you want to make fullsize benders or small fenders, then this book is a. In august the fender mustang was introduced 1965 on january 5th 1965, fender was sold to a subsidiary of cbs columbia broadcasting systems called columbia records distribution corp. No other company has produced so many great sounding, well built and reliable amps.