Monday, Jan. 9th 2012 9:51 PM
The Fender Custom Shop in Scottsdale, Arizona is famed for producing some of the finest quality guitars in the world, with their success story stretching back to the 1950’s. And now, this classic guitar manufacturer is heading back in time with the 2012 Fender vintage and custom guitar collection. The collection is made up of nine custom guitars and a custom bass, with six designs styled on classic Fender models while the other four are the latest designs from the legendary guitar makers.
The new 2012 Fender vintage and custom guitar collection features guitar designs of both past and present. These ten limited edition custom guitars are some of the finest instruments to be found, made using the most sought after materials and built at the Fender Custom Shop by time-served guitar builders.
Read the rest of this entry »
Monday, Oct. 10th 2011 9:36 AM
Over the years there have been many vintage guitars built and played, some better known than others. But what makes famous vintage guitars so iconic, so desirable and so famous? Some vintage guitars make their way into history for being the very first of their kind, with their makers being known as pioneers of their field, while others are the weapon of choice for some of the world’s biggest stars.
When you think of classic vintage electric guitars there are one or two names that spring to mind every time. Names like Fender, Gibson, Vox and Rickenbacker are all synonymous with vintage guitars and can be found at vintage guitar auctions around the world, where enthusiastic bidders can pay a small, or not so small, fortune for rare and desirable vintage guitars.
Read the rest of this entry »
Monday, Oct. 3rd 2011 5:23 PM
We’d all like to be the owner of a Fender Telecaster but just how far would you go to get your hands on one? Well, it is alleged that a Wisconsin man stole a guitar from the arms of a dead body that had been laid to rest in a crypt and, as a defence the accused is quoted as saying that he did it because he had “a respect for fine musical instruments.”
Allouez Catholic Cemetery employee Steven Conard saw the custom Fender Telecaster, which is worth in the region of $2,000, while working a shift and said to a fellow co-worker “I have to have that guitar, it’s too expensive to be in a crypt”, and it is alleged that he took the guitar from the deceased man’s casket.
Read the rest of this entry »
Tuesday, Sep. 20th 2011 9:35 AM
The name ‘Fender’ has been synonymous with custom guitars for generations and now, as a tribute, the Fender-styled VW Beetle has been displayed as a concept car at the 2011 Volkswagen Frankfurt Motor Show. The stylish vehicle has been modelled in many of the features that make Fender guitars so iconic.
Even though it’s clear to see that this car is a VW Beetle, the references to Fender and their guitar and amp designs are also obvious. From the two-tone wood design pattern to the high-end audio system that allows you to plug in your guitar and play on the move, the custom Beetle screams ‘Fender’!
Read the rest of this entry »
Monday, Sep. 12th 2011 4:16 PM
None of us can have possibly forgotten the tragedy of September 11th 2001, when many lives were lost as they World Trade Centre was attacked, and there have been many heart-felt tributes paid over the last few days to remember those who lost their lives. One such display is the creation of three tribute 9/11 Fender custom guitars, which will be played by guitar legend Eric Clapton then donated to 9/11 first-responder organizations.
There are three uniquely designed Fender Stratocaster custom guitars, each commemorating a New York City agency; New York Fire Department Stratocaster, New York Police Department Stratocaster and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Stratocaster. Each of the tribute 9/11 Fender custom guitars is decorated with custom artwork and a selection of pins, badges and medals to commemorate the many lives that were lost or affected by the disaster.
Read the rest of this entry »
Monday, Sep. 5th 2011 10:15 AM
Hollywood actor Richard Gere is to sell his vintage guitar collection on October 11th to raise funds for humanitarian charities. The task of auctioning the collection of guitars has been given to Christie’s auction house in New York, with the 110-strong lot of vintage and custom guitars, along with a selection of amps expected to achieve $1 million or more when they go under the hammer.
Gere, a self-taught pianist and guitarist, originally started his musical enthusiasm as a youngster, studying the trumpet before turning his hand to the guitar and other instruments. Gere has been building his collection of guitars for over the last 20 years but, the movie star didn’t intend to build a collection, saying “I just bought ones that I liked, the ones that sounded good and played well. Some are very special.” But a collection of guitars is exactly what he has assembled and, with reluctance, he is auctioning the lot.
Read the rest of this entry »
Monday, Jul. 4th 2011 10:31 AM
When discussing famous electric guitars that have stood the test of time there’s one particular piece that comes up time and time again – the legendary Fender Telecaster. This celebrated iconic guitar is famed for its simplicity and its solid sound and now the time-served guitar has reached another significant milestone in its history with the production of the Fender 60th Anniversary Telecaster.
It’s been 60 years since the first Fender Telecaster left the workshop. Well, actually it’s 62 years as the Telecaster was originally launched as the Fender Broadcaster in 1949 but it didn’t adopt the Telecaster title for another two years. Even though Les Paul is credited with being possibly the most influential pioneer of the solid body electric guitar, Leo Fender and his Telecaster can claim the majority if the credit for putting solid body guitars into popular mainstream music.
Read the rest of this entry »
