It would be impossible to imagine the guitar world without mentioning Fender.
This company crossed the big and rocky road of making lap-steel guitars to becoming a true rockstar guitar and electric bass guitar symbol while extending their business ever since.
Let’s find out why they are so important.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Fender Guitars
- OUR TOP PICK: Fender American Performer Stratocaster HSS
- RUNNER-UP: Fender American Performer Telecaster
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Squier Classic Vibe 50's Stratocaster
Table of Contents
- Who is Fender?
- History Of Fender Guitars
- What Makes Fender Guitars Stand Out Against the Competition?
- Types of Fender Guitars
- Comparison of the Best Fender Guitars
- Review of the Best Fender Guitars
- Comparison Overview
- Other Equipment Made By Fender
- How to Tune a Fender Guitar
- Conclusion
- People Also Ask
- Fender Guitar Buyer Guides
Who is Fender?
Fender is a US brand based in California known for their stringed instruments and amplifiers. For the last 70 years, they have been making a huge array of acoustic and electric guitars including some famous electric bass guitars.
Who Owns Fender Guitars?
Fender is owned by four companies with Weston Presidio holding the main 43% of the share along with three other minor investors since 2012.
Where Are Fender Guitars Made?
Fender Guitars are made in several locations and they actually have a shortcut name among guitars players based on it:
- Baja California, Mexico - MIM prefix
- Corona, California, USA - MIA prefix
- Nagano, Japan - MIJ prefix
Japan's production line was used around the same time when CBS decided to sell the company in 1984 and this collaboration ended in 2015. Meanwhile, these facilities have been relocated to other Asian countries such as Korea, China, and Indonesia.
History Of Fender Guitars
Here are some useful facts regarding Fender Guitars history:
How Long Has Fender Been Around?
Fender was founded back in 1946 under the full name of Fender Electric Instrument Company. But, Fender became the company that we know today 4 years later, in 1950 located between Anaheim and Fullerton, California, United States.
Who Invented The Fender Guitar?
Fender Guitar was invented by its maker, Leo Fender based on the design and patents he made in the 1940s. Those designs were based on lap steel guitar models made during World War II as a follow-up of the uprising need for louder, cheaper, and more durable instruments.
Why Did Leo Fender Leave Fender?
In the 1950s, Leo Fender caught a sinus infection that severed his health so much that he had to stop all of his business endeavors and sold the Fender company to CBS in 1965.
The Fender was sold for $13 million which is approximately around $110 million if it was sold today.
Which Fender Guitars Are Made in the USA?
All models with American prefix are made in the USA. You can also tell it by the serial number as it will have a US prefix. You will tell if the model is Mexican if the serial number starts with MX.
What Makes Fender Guitars Stand Out Against the Competition?
First of all, Fender is one of the oldest electric guitar brands in the world. They have designed the sound of the electric guitar from the beginning and played a huge role in promoting this instrument.
Also, Fender Precision is the bass guitar model that even today seems to be an industry standard. While there might be even better sounding instruments out there, people tend to go back to this particular instrument as they simply want exactly that sound on their tracks.
And last but not the least, Fender amps such as Bassman, Tweed Deluxe, or Twin Reverb were recorded on so many records that it would take ages for us to list it out.
Types of Fender Guitars
Fender has made many guitars throughout its history and expanded its field from acoustic and bass guitars. But, this time, we’re going to focus on electric guitar models only.
There are many subtypes based on the price range and skill level it was intended.
It all starts with an entry-level Squier and goes over Player, Vintera, Deluxe, Performer, Professional, and best of all Ultra models. You also have an option to order a Custom Shop model and specify parts you would like to have on your instrument.
But apart from that, all current Fender Guitar models belong to these five types:
Fender Telecaster
It was the one that along with Gibson Les Paul created the guitar world as we know it. Unlike Esquire, it was a huge commercial success. The only thing that defined its name forever was that Gretsch had already a drum model called Broadkaster, so Fender had to change this name, and that’s how Telecaster was invented.
It comes with two single pickups placed closely to the neck and bridge and a simple volume and tone knob along with a three-way switch that controls the pickup position.
Fender Stratocaster
Also known as the model that made Fender famous. For the legendary Strat, just like Tele, it would probably take a whole article to tell just the essentials about this instrument, so let’s just put down that this model is the one that was most copied in history and it has defined a world of modern music in so many genres. The list of the musicians that played this guitar is endless.
This model came with three pickups, the same pot control, and a 5-way switch. It was also the first guitar that came with the revolutionary tremolo bridge,
It might be interesting trivia, but Fender Precision Bass was actually used up for a body design model of the first Fender Stratocasters.
Fender American Performer Stratocaster HSS
Fender Jazzmaster
This model was used widely in the 1960s. It was modeled to be more suitable for musicians who play in seating positions. It has many unique soapbox single coil pickups, less sustain when compared to the Stratocaster but a bigger body than any other Fender guitar.
Odd enough, despite its name jazz musicians didn’t praise this model too much so it found its home at surf rock music instead.
It was also the first model that came with an upgraded floating tremolo system.
And this time, the design of the Jazzmaster was used for another bass guitar model counterpart, the legendary Jazz Bass.
Fender Mustang
If you think about Nirvana, a famous American grunge band, you might know this is the guitar that made their career rolling. It’s also known as the first guitar with Dynamic Vibrato or also known as the Mustang tremolo.
It had two single coil pickups and a short 24 fret fingerboard. It stopped producing in 1982 but started again in 1990. Followed by the success of the short fret guitar model, Fender Mustang Bass was also created.
Fender Jaguar
Jaguar was Fender’s answer to the Gibson Les Paul guitar. It had two individual circuits for lead and rhythm so that the player could switch from one tone to another with volume level memorized in a flash.
It was based on Jazzmaster, but as it was even more expensive than Stratocaster and Telecaster it poorly ended its production in 1975. This increased its popularity, especially with punk and indie rock players so they started manufacturing it again around 1985 in Japan and 1999 in the USA.
Such a decision only increased the price for the original Jaguars on the used market.
Comparison of the Best Fender Guitars
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Review of the Best Fender Guitars
Fender has a guitar for everyone, but for this review, we’re going to focus on to the most interesting selection of the Fender series - mid-range models:
Best Overall:
Fender American Performer Stratocaster HSS
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PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Players are extremely pleased with the pickup behavior and they say it treats all kinds of distortion without becoming muddy. They loved the Satin finish and say it sounds a bit different from a regular Fender Strat in a positive way.
However, more experienced players would advise you to spare a bit more money and go for American Professional if possible.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Stratocasters come with a triple single coil configuration which worked for the era when the Strat was made.
But, the need for a humbucker is more than essential nowadays and that’s why these models, also known as Superstrats, are a perfect balance between the traditional Strat playability and the necessities modern production asks from your guitar work. If needed, a push-pull pot will allow you to go back to the all-single coil configuration.
We believe that if Fender was about to design the first Stratocaster today, it would probably look something like this. And it comes in three different vintage colors plus a modern all-black solution.
Bottom Line
Fender Stratocaster is simply a legendary guitar and every serious guitar player should have one in the collection. If you would like to invest in your guitar in the long run, we believe that this Fender could easily be your only guitar for a long time.
Runner-up:
Fender American Performer Telecaster
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PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This instrument was purchased mostly by older people who already have a Gibson Les Paul in their collection and they find it was meant for professional players who know how to utilize its full potential. The fretboard is reported to be extremely fast and they also justify the price it comes at as the sound quality is more than exceptional.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Whole instrument comes with a nice balance between the modern and vintage world.
This instrument shares all the pros of the classical Telecaster model with premium “made in the USA” build quality. Jumbo frets are installed, and ClassicGear tuners provide you with a very smooth action.
Pickups are alnico single-coil upgraded to the Yosemite models which are specifically voiced for each instrument and position.
Greasebucket tone system is quite an interesting feature. It allows you to cut treble without losing the gain of your sound. A very interesting approach that you may use regularly in your performance.
Bottom Line
Based on the current vintage hype going on in modern music production, Telecaster rises once again to take its rightful place. This is an instrument that you may not use every day, but you would be so glad to have it in the collection.
Best for the Money:
Squier Classic Vibe 50's Stratocaster
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PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most players were satisfied with the purchase and couldn’t complain about action or intonation. They actually praised the neck finish as it appears to be quite smooth.
However, if you’re all about intense and heavy playing, bear in mind that ceramic humbucker may create a lot of unwanted noise when dialed in to the max without any additional tone control.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Stratocaster pickup configuration is all about triple single-coil pickups. If you need that exact sound, you should be very precise about the pickup configuration.
But, as the current music requires more drive, having a humbucker will come quite handy as it will allow you to cover more music genres with a single instrument.
Tremolo bar will also allow you to cover more songs, especially those relying on intense lead guitar playing.
This Affinity series is available in various colors but our favorites are those with Black Sparkle pickguard as it balanced out both vintage and the modern elements.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for an electric guitar that will work from the unpacking without any need of setting it up or upgrading pickups or changing strings, consider this Squier because Fender is known for making more than decent entry-level models.
Best Fender Stratocaster Guitar:
Fender Player Stratocaster Plus Top
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PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
While Squier is supposed to be an entry-level Fender, it keeps on surprising musicians a lot in both tone and feels aspects.
Mostly it was purchased for a quick jam and practicing purposes, but they say that if you get the fully functional model you will save a lot of money and get about the same sound when compared to the Mexican models.
Why it Stands Out to Us
There are cheaper Squiers available, but there is some magic going on around Classic Vibe which made us think that it’s worth investing a bit more.
It seems like Fender started minimizing differences between Player and Squier models further. The build quality and the finish is on a match with the Made-in-Mexico (MIM) models and the pickups as they seem to be perfectly matched for this particular instrument. It’s simply done right.
Color wise and the used hardware it definitely matches the era and even the headstock looks just like the one found on the original Fenders.
Bottom Line
Squier models are getting better everyday so while this particular model may not knock you over with its sound possibilities, it will bring you very close to the Fender experience at a much lower price. Definitely our favorite pick for the newbies.
Best Fender Telecaster Guitar:
Fender Player Telecaster
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PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Some users have found a very interesting way to describe the quality of this guitar - you could easily pay four times more and still wouldn’t get enough sound difference that would justify the money you invested.
Pickups are reported to fit the model’s vibe well and the only upgrade they would recommend is to invest into better tuning machines, though.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This model was designed to bring you the authentic look of the 1950’s model.
That’s why it was made from Pine wood just like the first Telecasters and it’s equipped with the original C shape neck profile and 22 jumbo frets along with a vintage-styled through a body bridge system and nickel hardware. The neck even has that authentic gloss finish.
And besides the look, the sound seems to be there as well. The dual single coil Alnico pickup configuration delivers that well-known Tele sound and it seems to be as close as possible to the original Tele regarding playability, too.
Bottom Line
Having a decent Telecaster isn’t so complicated anymore. With Fender’s investment in the Squier sub-brand, it’s becoming more a matter of preference. They are not designed to match the original Tele quality but will be more than great for new players.
Best Fender Electric Guitar:
Fender Player Stratocaster HSH
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PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Fender lovers bought this instrument to get something different from the regular Strat experience. Playability was just like they would expect from the Fender while the sound was a nice change from a typical Stratocaster pickup configuration.
The only complaint we could find is that the tremolo arm isn’t so capable of transferring subtle touch actions.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Unlike other Strats, Fender has made this model for modern rock and metal music specifically thanks to the HSH pickup configuration.
Dual humbuckers will generate that extra grit you need so you may have a hard time explaining you were recording Stratocaster guitar and on the other hand, if needed, positions 2 combined with the bridge pickup tone balance control may sound interesting enough for all the parts where a single coil clean sound is needed.
Tremolo Bridge has a 2-Point locking system with bent-steel saddles that should provide smooth action even after intense and frequent use, sorry, abuse!
Bottom Line
Metal and rock guitarists usually love how the Fender models look. They avoid it mostly because they need more power. Luckily, with models like this one, you will have the best of both worlds at the studio-recording level quality.
Best Fender Bass Guitar:
Fender Deluxe Active Precision Bass Special
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PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
People who want to buy a Precision bass guitar usually know what they want in their life and somehow Fender fails to disappoint them every single time.
They say that a proper Fender Precision is one of the most fail-safe purchases you will make in your whole life and the lack of negative feedback proves their point.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This is a typical Precision looking bass guitar that comes with a 4-saddle HiMass bridge. It’s made of metal so it will have an impact on the sustain, intonation, and tuning stability of the instrument.
Unlike the original Precision, this model has a JP pickup configuration. This way it can deliver to you both Jazz bass sound and the legendary P-Bass sound. Both pickups can be turned to the eleven without any unwanted noise.
Apart from pickup it also provides you with the active 3-band EQ and bypass switch so you can shift from vintage to modern tone on the fly.
Bottom Line
If we had to pick only one bass guitar under $1,000, this Fender model would definitely come into our shortlist. Fender knows how to make a guitar and has 70 years of successful history to prove it.
Best Fender Acoustic Guitar:
Fender CP-60S Dreadnought
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PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers say that the neck is extremely playable and the build quality is top-notch. They feel like it has at least double the value when compared with the price and they believe they won’t need any upgrade for a while.
But, they do recommend changing strings upon arrival as those that are coming from the factory appear to be mediocre at the best.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Acoustic guitars can get really expensive if you’re looking for a professional model and luckily Fender decided to go for an all-around approach with this instrument at quite a reasonable price. It has a nice vintage design with quartersawn scalloped X-bracing which makes the top more responsive.
It will be an ideal instrument for either beginners or intermediate players. It has a really comfortable neck with the new Fender’s Easy-to-Play profile that has rolled fretboard edges. Walnut is used for both fretboard and bridge parts and it will be a bit softer to perform on than a Rosewood.
Bottom Line
This acoustic guitar might be ideal for all those players who would like to get a bit of studio sound at an affordable price. Scalloped frets will provide you with extra playability that both newbies and professional players will enjoy.
Comparison Overview
Let’s compare Fender models in between and see how they stand against the rest of the competition. Bear in mind that this is just a general comparison and that specific models may be quite different:
Fender Stratocaster vs Fender Telecaster Guitar
They both share the tonewood and Deep C Shape neck profile, but the body design is a bit different - Strat comes with a double cutaway and a bit larger headstock.
However, the main difference lies in the pickup systems. Tele comes with the dual single-coil setup and 3-way switch while Strat has a triple pickup configuration and 5-way switch. Also, Strat has a tremolo bridge system that seems irreplaceable for any lead guitar virtuoso while the Tele seems to be a more all-around guitar that has a unique ability to marvelously blend in all genres.
Fender Guitars vs Gibson Guitars
Probably the toughest battle of all. It would be best to state obvious facts. Build quality, brand influence on guitar players, popularity, iconic models, it’s like comparing Coca-Cola with Pepsi.
Gibson has better acoustic guitar models while Fender bass guitars are industry standard for almost 70 years.
But, the main battleground, the electric guitar, is not even a bit so clear.
It depends on the music genre and your playing style. If you like clean guitars, funk grooves, and jazzy licks we’ll tell you to go with the Fender. Floyd Rose will come in handy with wild and fast-paced guitar solos, too.
Names such as Jimi Hendrix, Richie Blackmoore, Yngwie Malmsteen, Nile Rodger probably ring you some bells.
But if you’re all into heavy riffs and sound that can be used in both vintage and modern music, Gibson guitars are definitely your pick.
The main difference lies in pickup systems. While Fender can fit rock and blues music, their single pickups can’t compete with the humbucker setup of a typical Gibson Les Paul. Gibson is much louder as well and has no match regarding the duration of the sustained tone. When you think of Gibson guitar, the infamous Slash has a signature Gibson sound all over his Guns N’ Roses work.
In the end, if we had to pick one winner, we would go for Fender just because it seems to be more genre versatile than Gibson.
Yamaha Guitar vs Fender
While Yamaha can’t compete in the electric guitar or bass guitar world with Fender, their acoustic guitars may take a lead in specific clashes.
Yamaha's build quality is exceptional, and soundwise, it seems they have consistent success with their models in all tiers when compared to Fender acoustic line and tonewood seems to have a much more premium feel.
G&L Guitars vs Fender
G&L Guitars are not a “mainstream” guitar brand, but they are quite interesting as they were founded by Leo Fender after he sold Fender back in 1965. That’s why they are similar to classic Fender models and are built in the same place in California.
So, if you don’t care too much about the headstock logo, you may get the same sound and build quality at a lower price. Players are thrilled with the stock G&L pickups and because of the smaller production line, you can order modifications for your specific instrument without paying an additional fee.
Nash Guitars vs Fender
Nash Guitars are excellent clones of Fender Telecaster and Stratocaster models.
They don’t build their instrument from scratch. Instead, they order parts from the Fender official suppliers, and that’s why they are called Partocasters. So, while you may be happy with the sound you get for the money with Nash Guitars, you won’t get a lot of money if you decide to sell it at some point.
Other Equipment Made By Fender
Besides various guitar models and spare parts for them, Fender is also known for making guitar amplifiers such as Rumble combo amp series for bass guitar or Hot Rod and Twin Reverb amps for electric guitar. There are even some amps optimized for acoustic guitars.
In the last decade, they have significantly expanded their accessories program as well, so besides tuners, cables, strings, stands, and straps, you can even buy a harmonica or mini amp replica of their most famous models, too.
Combined with various effects pedals, PA speakers, IEM headphones, and even Ukuleles, it’s pretty much safe to say that Fender has covered all the guitar needs you could imagine.
How to Tune a Fender Guitar
Regardless of being an acoustic or electric guitar or bass guitar, all guitars are tuned in pretty much the same way, so, for this purpose, we’re going to show you how to tune a guitar.
Most guitars have six strings tuned in the notes from top to below E, A, D, G, B, and another E which is an octave higher than the first string. For the regular four-string bass those notes are E, A, D, and G with additional low B note on the top for five-string models.
You can tune your guitar in so many ways - by ear, using various tuner accessories in the form of clip-on or a pedal, but Fender went a step further and provided you with an app so you can tune it up by using your cellphone or computer.
First, select the instrument type, and switch to automatic mode if you would like to tune to the standard tuning. In case you would need a different tuning select Manual mode.
Play the first string and turn the pegs until your orange circle gets to the center and becomes green. Then repeat the process with the rest of the strings. Once you’re done play all the notes again just to check if some note may have fallen out of tune meanwhile.
However, there is one useful trick that will significantly minimize such string behavior. If your string is above the note before you start tuning, tune it intentionally down so that you miss the correct note and then tune it upwards. This way, you’ll secure the tension which will prevent making your string too loose so it will remain in tune for a longer time.
Bookmark the next video if you want to watch it at some point again:
Conclusion
Hopefully, you have a better picture now of how important Fender was for modern music history. We would be
People Also Ask
Let’s take time and answer to some interesting trivia regarding Fender guitars. You’ll find out the price range for the Fender Guitars, how to tell a date when it was built, and even what was the most expensive Fender guitar ever made and what made it so expensive.
Are Fender Guitars Good?
Fender guitars have definitely written a lot of rock music history. While they may not excel in modern rock/metal genres so much, many legendary guitar heroes used Fender as their signature sound.
How Much is a Fender Guitar?
If we talk only about new models, based on the targeted audience, Fender guitars can cost around $100 with their specific Squire by Fender sub-brand or even up to a couple of thousands. Those prices go significantly up if you’re looking for an older used model.
Are American Fenders Better Than Mexican Made Models?
American Fenders have a much improved quality control service and use premium hardware and wood parts. While there is nothing wrong with the Mexican models, American Fenders are simply considered as the Fender flagship series.
Bear in mind that price also goes up while the sound might be just good enough with the Mexican model.
How To Date a Fender Guitar
Fender has a very complicated dating system that seems to be impossible to explain shortly as it’s different based on the origin and the decade when it was made.
Luckily, there are some useful links with all the info you may need for determining the age of your instrument.
Squier Classic Vibe 50's Stratocaster
When Does Fender Release New Guitars?
Fender is an active company so you can expect them to release new guitars at least on a biannual basis oriented around the music events known as NAMM in January and July. Besides that, they tend to put some signature models every year as well.
What is the Most Expensive Fender Guitar?
The older they are, the more they cost. And the price goes up if the owner is a music celebrity.
But even Jimi Hendrix Woodstock model isn’t the most expensive model anymore. That $2 million was beaten with $2.7 million in 2015 with “Reach Out To Asia” Fender Stratocaster, Bryan Adams project to gather help for the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
When Did Leo Fender Introduce the First Mass-produced Solid-body Electric Guitar?
If you would bet on the Fender Telecaster, we’re sorry to say that you would be wrong. There was a model that came out right before - Fender Esquire. It hit the market back in the 1950s and it’s probably best known by the song Born to be Wild by Steppenwolf.
What Kind of Warranty Does Fender Offer?
Currently, Fender offers a 2-year warranty program on all guitar, basses, and pro audio equipment, including the Squire series. This range extends for their PA Fortis models and shortens for IEM headphones, bluetooth speakers, and other accessories.
Cables, on the other hand, have a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Fender Guitar Buyer Guides
In the market for a new Fender guitar? Luckily, we've compiled all of our buyer guides related to Fender guitars and related content. Feel free to review each guide and find the one that fits exactly what you're looking for. Be sure to check back soon as we'll be updating this page frequently.
