LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Fender: Guitars
built 659 days ago
At Sam Ash, the second-biggest guitar retailer in the U.S. and a major Fender dealer, Chief Operating Officer David Ash said he doubted small shops would fold without use of the designs in question. "I find that hard to believe," he said. "It's not like there aren't plenty of shapes."
Source:
The Esquire was Fender's first electric spanish guitar. Originally introduced in June of 1950 as a black (and later blond), one or two pickup model, it was discontinued by Fender's marketing arm in September 1950. Only about 50 of these original Esquires were shipped, though Fender had a backorder of hundreds of units. And many came back to Fender to have the neck (and body!) replaced because of neck warpage, from the lack of a truss rod. In October 1950, the Broadcaster replaced the Esquire as their two pickup electric spanish guitar, with a truss rod! The Esquire was re-introduced in early 1951 as a single pickup version of the Broadcaster.
Source:
The guitar, which was donated by Fender, was auctioned off earlier this year for more than $150,000. It was re-auctioned this week and bought for more than $1.6 million. All proceeds will go towards the Reach Out To Asia Foundation.
Source:
From the first solidbody guitars to 1976, Fender dated their instruments at the "butt" of the detachable neck. Here is a timeline of the format the dates, and how they were printed:
Source:
The Relic guitars were originally made because Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones told Fender that he did not like new guitars. He asked Fender if they could make him an old guitar. Fender made him 2 and he loved them!
Source:
A first rate site with lots of info about vintage Fender guitars and amps. Includes serial number dating info, documentation on accessories on vintage Fender equipment, and more. Page layout is a tad awkward.
Source:
MORE ABOUT
Guitars