Fender Guitars: An Overview

Posted on Oct 28th 2009 5:46PM by Spinner

Fender guitars could arguably be considered the quintessential American axe. The iconic instruments have been graced by the fingers of such legends as Eric Clapton, Eddie Van Halen and Jimi Hendrix. Signature Fender guitars such as the Stratocaster and the Telecaster are among the most recognizable, as well as the most popular instruments produced today.

Founded in 1946 by Leonidas "Leo" Fender, the company boasted the Telecaster, which was the first mass-produced, solid-body, Spanish-style electric guitar. Although Fender did not invent the electric guitar, they were responsible for the first commercially successful model, as well as popularizing solid-body electric guitars (most electric guitars before then had been hollow-bodied).

Though not exclusively used for one genre, Fender guitars played a crucial part in the birth of rock 'n' roll, as well as it's various stages of evolution. Buddy Holly was known as "the first Strat hero," and Bob Dylan used a Telecaster to develop his controversial electric sound. Pete Townshend of the Who was famous for smashing Telecasters in the '60s, but spared his personal favorite, a '52 vintage Tele.

Flip through our gallery for photos of notable Fender guitars.

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Fender Guitars

The famed guitar company produces some of the world's most iconic instruments.

Matt Dunham, AP

Richard Drew, AP

Fender Guitars

A security guard unloads Rory Gallagher's signature 1961 Fender Stratocaster that forms part of the Born to Rock electric guitar exhibition, during the show's launch at the Harrods department store in London, Thursday Feb. 1, 2007. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Matt Dunham, AP

Hold on to your whammy bars: In one of the most anticipated events in electric guitar history, Eddie Van Halen and the master builders of the Fender Custom Shop in Corona, Calif., have teamed up to introduce EVH brand guitars, amps and musical products, beginning with a painstaking recreation of one of the most recognized guitars in the world: the red-black-and-white striped Frankenstein guitar played by Eddie throughout his remarkable career.

Fender / AP

Lee Dixon, who has been Eric Clapton's guitar technician for the past 20 years, plays Clapton's "Blackie," a composite Fender Stratocaster which served as Eric Clapton's sole stage and studio guitar for 15 years of his career, from late 1970 to 1985, during a pre-auction preview at Christies auctioneers in London, Friday May 21, 2004. (AP Photo/Richard Lewis)

Richard Lewis, AP

In this photo released by Fender, musicians AJ, left, and Aly pose with their custom made Fender Stratocaster guitars featuring Hello Kitty, on their tour bus Thursday, July 12, 2007, in Irvine, Calif. (AP Photo/Fender, Stephanie Moore)

Stephanie Moore, Fender / AP

Brownie - A 1956 Sunburst Fender Stratocaster represents one of Clapton's favorite guitars. He played this guitar on his most famous love songs, 'Layla.' Estimate: $75,000-$120,000. (Photo By Getty Images)

Getty Images

The partly burnt 1965 Fender Stratocaster guitar which the late Jimi Hendrix set alight during a concert at the London Astoria in 1967, is displayed in London Thursday July 24, 2008. (AP Photo / Max Nash)

Max Nash, AP

Musician John Mayer performs with a Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2006 at Glendale Arena in Glendale, Ariz. Mayer, an endorser of Fender guitars, is one of the countless musicians who rely on Fender Musical Instrument Corp's guitars and amplifiers to achieve their signature sound. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Matt York, AP

Leo Nocentelli, guitarist for the the Meters, carries a signed Fender Starcaster guitar he retired in 2000, after playing it for over 25 years, to be placed in the Hard Rock Cafe Monday, May 23, 2005, in New Orleans. Nocentelli purchased the guitar from the now closed Wereleins music store in New Orleans in 1976, and the guitar was used on numerous recordings and live shows. (AP Photo/Judi Bottoni)

Judi Bottoni, AP

Songwriter and Dire Straits lead guitarist Mark Knopfler, right, holds a bat, gifted by Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, center, as Anjali Tendulkar, left, looks on in Bombay, India, Friday, March 4, 2005. Knopfler, 55, has written a series of hit songs, including 'Love Over Gold,' 'Sultans of Swing,' 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'Brothers in Arms' that have won Dire Straits an ardent international following. Knolfler gifted his signature guitar Fender Stratocaster to Tendulkar. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

Aijaz Rahi, AP