Clarence Leonidas “Leo” Fender he invented a genre of electric guitar that more than any other has represented for generations of guitarists an inexhaustible source of creativity, giving music new sounds hitherto unknown.
Leo was born on August 10, 1909 and has produced guitars throughout his long life, which ended March 21, 1991.
After an electronic repairer's apprenticeship, with his own Fender Radio Service, during the World War II knew Doc Kauffman, inventor of the Lap Steel Guitar and designer of Rickenbacker guitars. Together they founded the K&F company which produced Hawaiian amplified guitars. It was the basis of the first Fender pickups.
The guitar solidbody, as we know it, is an intuition of mr. Fender. In 1951, after two years of preparation, Leo produced an electric guitar unlike any other! At the time there were Live-Tone, the Rickenbacker and Slingerland ... but this is there telecaster!
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| Live-Tone | Rickenbacker | slingerland |
Ingeniously designed the telecaster it is a rare pearl of elegance, simple, with practical and reliable functions. It does not struggle to stand out and, as proof of so much genius, just remember that since then, over 60 years ago, it has almost never been changed!
The guitar is durable, nearly indestructible, revolutionary in distinctive design, with a unique sound destined to change the music of guitarists to come.
Three characteristics of the telecaster:
- the cutaway
- Dual single coil pickups that give it an intense and bright sound
- comfortable keyboard and unmistakable headstock
But Leo Fender doesn't stop there. After just three years, after having also invented the electric bass Fender Precision Bass, the market sees the birth of what will be universally recognized as the guitar par excellence, the Stratocaster!
It's 1954, the world of rock will have no other god!
Two horn case, comfortable to hold- Three single coil pickups, often modified with humbucking pickup combinations and different switching configurations. From crystal clear and bright sounds to screaming and more, unmatched voice.
- The tremolo lever appears on the bridge!
- Comfortable handle and unmistakable headstock.
Leo arrived and gave the music its true sound! (Quincy Jones)
Fender had a vision, and as is often the case with such men, nothing could stand in the way. Legends about his character preceded him. He saved on food to buy resistances, dressed essentially, was a living example of the successful man devoted to his work.
Look boy, do your job well and I'll do mine right! (L.Fender)
It is curious that ...
… In the 50s he got a strep infection that convinced him he was so sick that he had to give up the company. In 1965 the Fender was sold to CBS but Leo wasn't out of the game yet. Shortly after the sale he changed doctor and was treated! He rejoined the company first as a consultant and then, after considerable funding, as president in 1975.
... man of few words, he did not drink, did not smoke and frequented few friends. Widower in 1979 he remarried the following year but never had children, basses and guitars were his only children! For many he was a kind of recluse obsessed with his job and maybe that was the truth, but that job was also his most beloved hobby.
Leo Fender could NOT play the guitar !!!!
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