Ubiquitous in the music world, Fender guitars and amplifiers are also icons in popular culture, their shapes and sounds instantly recognizable. Authoritatively written and lavishly illustrated, "Fender 75 Years" (Motorbooks, September 21, 2021) is the officially licensed anniversary celebration of the company and its legendary instruments.
From Fender's first instrument — a lap steel guitar produced in 1946 — to founder Leo Fender's groundbreaking early six-string "Spanish-style" guitar designs like the Esquire that set the standard for the electric guitar explosion to follow, author Dave Hunter traces Fender's entire history to the present. All the innovations and landmark models are here, as well as legendary players who became synonymous with Fender instruments across musical genres.
In addition to the instantly recognizable Telecaster and Stratocaster, Hunter examines Fender's line of legendary offset guitars like the Mustang, Jazzmaster, and Jaguar, and bygone models such as the Marauder, Coronado, Bronco, and more. The Jazz Bass and Precision Bass also feature, as do Fender's acoustic guitars and workhorse tube amplifiers like the Bassman, Twin Reverb, and Princeton, to name a few.
Along the way, readers will get in-depth scoops on the relationships dozens of players have enjoyed with Fender: rock 'n' roll pioneers like Hank Marvin and James Burton; classic-rock icons like Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmour and Eric Clapton; blues legends Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Buddy Guy; alt-rock gods J Mascis and Kurt Cobain…the list goes on. In addition, Hunter explores the work of the award-winning Fender Custom Shop and the wares produced there.
Illustrated throughout with rare images from company archives, "Fender 75 Years" treats readers to rare behind-the-scenes views of the shop floor throughout the years, as well as studio imagery of the guitars, rare period advertising and brochures, and performance images of Fender players.
In addition, a Deluxe Collector's Edition of "Fender 75 Years" will be available October 19, 2021. Limited to 500 copies, this stunning collector's edition is packaged in a Fender-inspired presentation case that also includes a custom envelope featuring five pieces of exclusive flat art from the Fender archives: a reproduction vinyl decal, a photo pin-up, and three 12 × 18–inch posters.
"Fender 75 Years" is the definitive look at the Fender's first three-quarters of a century and a must-have for any guitar enthusiast.
Hunter is an author, musician, and journalist. He is the author of several popular books about guitars, amps, and effects, including Voyageur Press's "Star Guitars", "The Fender Stratocaster", "The Gibson Les Paul" and "365 Guitars, Amps & Effects You Must Play". A regular contributor to Guitar Player and Vintage Guitar magazines, he resides in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
Where is the section on those Jack Pearson custom Squire Stratocasters made in Singapore?
Leo's Stratocaster is the best selling electric guitar of all brands and types. But it was made for western swing and rockabilly in 1954 well before loud rock bands.
I like Strats for dirty blues and Hendrix type stuff but every hot sounding Strat I've ever heard has been doctored. Different pickups and other things.
The best one I've heard so far is Jimmy Herring's Fender custom shop Stratocaster with two humbuckers instead of three single coils. It maybe be the best sounding electric I've ever heard.
And many Stratocasters have souped single coils by different manufacturers. .
The Telecaster is another big seller for Fender. You can't rent an apartment in Nashville unless you own a Tele they use to say:)
The prettiest guitar and a hot tone to me is a sunburst Les Paul. I also like SGs, ES-335s and some of those old Gretch guitars are cool for a Chet Atkins, Stray Cats thing.
Hard to believe it's coming up on 75 years for Fender.
I've always liked this company and the many products that they have. My collection includes both Electric and Electric/ Acoustic guitars and a few smaller amps. However, low end as they may be they sure do a bang up job. I have one of the Squire Strat 1950 's version and it cant be beat for sound as well. I highly recommend them if your budget is tight.
For those interested in more in depth reading about the Strat, I would suggest finding a copy of "The Stratocaster Chronicles, Celebrating 50 years of the Fender Strat," by Tom Wheeler with Forward by Eric Clapton. 2004 by The Hal Leonard Corporation. The book includes a CD, which has some of the greatest Strat players and of course Leo Fender discussing his prize guitar.
There are so many choices for guitar players thee days, but it's nice to know that Fender has long endured and remains as popular today as it did some 75 years ago...
Looks like an interesting book and even though I am a Gibson fan may have to ask Santa for this for Christmas.
I second RCgp2020 on his recommendation for "The Stratocaster Chronicles" book as it is a large coffee table book with great details on the history and beautiful photos.
There is also a companion book for Fender amps which is just as nice.
