Leonidas And His Amazing Fender Electric Guitar

The name Fender was like a jolt to the system in the heavy days of the 'Rock 'n Roll' and Jazz eras and became in many instances, household words with millions of fans of this music. This is, however, only a relatively small part of a music legend that is Fender electric guitars.

Clarence Leonidas Fender, generally called 'Leo', started this particular musical ball rolling in 1946 when he founded the Fender Electric Instrument Manufacturing Company in Fullerton in the state of California. This innovative and imaginative man also designed one of the forerunners of the first solid-body electric bass guitars to become a success commercially. This was the Precision Bass, or the 'P-Bass', which made a lasting impression in rock, jazz, country music, Motown, funk and a variety of other music strains.

Commercial Success for 'Leo' Fender

Another name that is recognized instantly by many music addicts is the 'Telecaster', or perhaps by its original identity, the 'Broadcaster', which was the first mass-produced Spanish styled electric guitar with a solid body. Along with this gem, was the highly popular guitar named the 'Stratocaster', usually called the 'Strat'.

Although Fender was not the first manufacturer of electric guitars, they are arguably the most successful from a commercial aspect. Another factor to consider is that while most of the other produced electric guitars were then either produced with a hollow body, Fender created versatile and solid bodied electric guitars. This does not include the more specialized instruments, for example a 'Rickenbacker' Hawaiian guitar, which also boasted a solid body.

These are the Fender electric guitars which are still popular today with a wide variety of musicians. Some musical legends matched their particular talents with the name of 'Fender', including Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Blackmore from Deep Purple, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler and many others who have left an indelible mark on many music lovers.

Fire in Mexico and Rare Fender Guitars

Following a fire on February 11, 1994, the Fender manufacturing plant in Ensenada, Mexico was destroyed. Bill Schultz, the Fender President made the decision to relocate temporarily, the production facility from this plant in Mexico, to its American plant. This particular brand of Fender electric guitars is identified by a unique serial number and is regarded as being relatively rare among collectors.

The company is today a privately owned corporation, with most of its stock controlled by officers and managers of the company. The Chief Executive Officer is Larry Thomas, while James Broenen holds the position of Chief Financial Officer. During March 2012, Fender filed with the SEC, a motion to raise up to $200 million in an initial public offering.