Clarence Leonidas Fender was born in 1909, and raised in Fullerton, California. As a teenager he developed an interest in electronics, and soon was building and repairing radios for fellow classmates. After high school, Leo Fender became a bookkeeper for employment while he still did radio repair at home. After holding a series of jobs, Fender opened up a full scale radio repair shop in 1939. In addition to service work, Leo's Fender Radio Service store soon became a general electronics retail outlet. However, the forerunner to the Fender Electric Instruments company was a smaller two-man operation that was originally started as the K&F company in 1945. Leo Fender began building small amplifiers and electric lap steels with his partner, Clayton Orr "Doc" Kaufman. Leo and Doc produced their first amplifier and steel guitar in 1945. Kauffman left K&F in early 1946 and Leo Fender took over. Leo then formed the Fender Electric Instrument Company in 1946, located on South Pomona Avenue in Fullerton, California. By 1947, Fender introduced the Model 26 guitar amp and shortly thereafter came the Super. In 1948, the new Fender amps featured a new cabinet construction. The Champion student amplifier was also introduced at this time. With all the increase demand, Fender had not choice but to move to a new building.
Soon Fender's inventive genius began designing new models through the early 1950s and early 1960s. The Fender Bassman Amp was unveiled in 1951, which paved way to an entire line of tweed amplifiers. In 1952, the Twin Amplifier was introduced that consisted of two 12 in. speakers and became the top model of the line. With the success of this line, Fender was forced to move again in 1953. In 1955, Fender developed an amp using the new effect of tremolo that they named the Tremolux. Fender also had a tendency to introduce guitars with corresponding amplifiers. One example was in 1958, the Jazzmaster was released along with the Vibrasonic amp, which was truly an entirely new design. It featured a front facing control panel and its covering was made by the General Tire & Rubber Company. This allowed for these amps to take a lot of abuse and not a lot of wear. The Reverb Unit, Twin Reverb, and the Showman debuted in the early '60s.
By 1964, Fender's line of products included electric guitars, basses, steel guitars, effects units, acoustic guitars, electric pianos, and a variety of accessories. However, Leo's faltering health in the mid-1960s prompted him to put the company up for sale. It was first offerd to Don Randall, the head of Fender Sales, for a million and a half dollars. Randall opened negotiations with the Baldwin Piano & Organ company, but when those negotiations fell through, Fender offered it to the conglomerate CBS (who was looking to diversify the company holdings). Fender (FEIC) was purchased by CBS in December of 1964 for thirteen million dollars. Leo Fender was kept on as a special consultant for five years, and then left when the contract was up in 1970. Due to a ten year no compete clause, the next Leo Fender designed guitars or amplifiers did not show up in the music industry until 1976 (Music Man).
While Fender was just another division of CBS, a number of key figures left the company. Forrest White, the production manager, left in 1967 after a dispute in producing solid-state amplifiers. Don Randall left in 1969, because he was not impressed with corporate life. George Fullerton, one of the people involved with the Stratocaster design, left in 1970. Many people seem to think that quality dropped drastically the day CBS took over. Dale Hyatt, another veteran of the early Fender days, figured that the quality on the products stayed relatively stable until around 1968 (Hyatt left in 1972). But a number of cost-cutting strategies, and attempts to produce more products had a deteriorating effect. This reputation leads right to the classic phrase heard at vintage guitar shows, "Is the amp pre-CBS?"
In the early 1980s, the Fender guitar empire began to crumble. Many cost-cutting factors and management problems forced CBS to try various last ditch efforts to salvage the instrument line. In March of 1982, Fender (with CBS' blessing) negotiated with Kanda Shokai and Yamano Music to establish Fender Japan. After discussions with Tokai (who built a great Fender Strat replica, among other nice guitars), Kawai, and others, Fender finally chose Fuji Gen Gakki (based in Matsumoto, about 130 miles northwest of Tokyo) to build guitars for them. In 1983, the Squier series was built in Japan, earmarked for European distribution. The Squier trademark came from a string-making company in Michigan (V.C. Squier) that CBS had acquired in 1965.
Amplifiers currently produced in Scottsdale, AZ (Amplifier Custom Shop), Corona, CA (U.S.), Indonesia, Mexico, Japan, Tianjin (China), and Korea. Distributed by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation in Scottsdale, AZ. The Fender trademark established circa 1946 in Fullerton, CA.

FENDER Guitar Amplifiers Models

FENDER ACOUSTIC PRO Image

FENDER ACOUSTIC PRO

- 200W, 1-12 in. speaker with high-frequency horn, acoustic combo, solid-state chassis, two channels, reverb, top black control panel, two inputs, 12 black knobs (Each Ch.: v, reverb, l, mid level, mid freq., high), phase switch on each cha...

FENDER CHAMPION 20 COMBO Image

FENDER CHAMPION 20 COMBO

- 20W, 1-8 in. speaker, guitar combo, solid-state chassis, single channel, front black control panel, single input, seven black knobs (g, v, voice, t, b, effect level, effect selector) tap tempo button, 1/8 in. stereo aux. input, 1/8 in. he...

FENDER CHAMP 25 S/E (NO. 021-6600-000) Image

FENDER CHAMP 25 S/E (NO. 021-6600-000)

- 25W, 1-10 in. speaker, used new "hybrid" circuitry, which combines tubes with transistors, solid-state preamp, 2 X 5881 / 6L6 power output tubes, black control panel, 11 black knobs (norm, v, t, b, m, drive, gain, overdrive, v, t, b,...

FENDER BASSBREAKER 007 HEAD Image

FENDER BASSBREAKER 007 HEAD

- 7W, guitar head-unit, three-tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 12AX7, power: 1 X EL34, single channel, top black control panel, single input, 5 black knobs (g, b, m, t, MV), treble boost switch, power switch, rear panel: speaker output jack, line...

FENDER BASSMAN 300 PRO (NO. 021-3302-010) Image

FENDER BASSMAN 300 PRO (NO. 021-3302-010)

- 300W, bass head-unit, tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 12AX7, power: 6 X 6550, two channels, compression, front black control panel, single input, eleven black knobs, 10-band graphic equalizer, black covering, black metal grille, 75 lbs., mfg. 2...

FENDER SUPER-SONIC HEAD (NO. 216-0100) Image

FENDER SUPER-SONIC HEAD (NO. 216-0100)

- 60W, head-unit only, tube chassis, preamp: 5 X 12AX7, 2 X 12AT7, power: 2 X 6L6GC, two channels (Vintage/Burn), reverb, blackface or brownface control panel, one input jack, nine black or cream knobs (Ch.1 [Vintage]: v, t, b, Ch.2 [Burn]...

FENDER MUSTANG I (NO. 230-0010) Image

FENDER MUSTANG I (NO. 230-0010)

- 20W, 1-8 in. speaker, guitar combo, solid-state chassis, single channel, 24 presets, top black control panel, single input, five black skirted knobs (g, v, t, b, MV), three black dome knobs (preset select, modulation select, delay/reverb...

FENDER G-DEC (NO. 235-000-000) Image

FENDER G-DEC (NO. 235-000-000)

- 15W, 1-8 in. speaker combo, solid-state chassis, MIDI synthesizer, front black control panel, single input, two knobs (v, tone), digital processor with various buttons and display, headphone jack, MIDI in and out, aux in and out, black to...

FENDER TB-600 HEAD (NO. 224-5800) Image

FENDER TB-600 HEAD (NO. 224-5800)

- 600W @ 4ohms (400W @ 8 ohms), two-space rack-mount head-unit bass amplifier, hybrid chassis with 2 X 12AX7 preamp tubes and a solid state power amp, single channel, front brushed aluminum panel, two inputs (one in front, one in back), 11...

FENDER BASSMAN TV TEN (NO. 224-8100) Image

FENDER BASSMAN TV TEN (NO. 224-8100)

- 150W, 1-10 in. Celestion Green Label Ferrite 200W bass speaker, bass combo, hybrid chassis with 1 X 12AX7 preamp tube and Class D solid-state power amp, single channel, top chrome control panel, two inputs, four chickenhead knobs (v, b, m...

FENDER FRONTMAN 15B (NO. 022-1503-049) Image

FENDER FRONTMAN 15B (NO. 022-1503-049)

- 15W, bass amp, 1-8 in. speaker, solid-state chassis, front black control panel, single input, four black knobs (v, l, m, h), headphone jack, black vinyl covering, black metal grille, 21 lbs., mfg. 1997-2003.

FENDER '68 CUSTOM DELUXE REVERB (NO. 227-4000) Image

FENDER '68 CUSTOM DELUXE REVERB (NO. 227-4000)

- 22W, guitar combo, 1-12 in. Celestion G12V-70 speaker, eight-tube chassis, preamp: 4 X 12AX7, 2 X 12AT7, power: 2 X 6V6, two channels (Vintage for traditional Silverface tonality and Custom for tweed-era Bassman), reverb, tremolo, front s...

FENDER B-DEC 30 (NO. 235-4200) Image

FENDER B-DEC 30 (NO. 235-4200)

- 30W, bass combo, 1-10 in. speaker, 1 high frequency piezo horn, solid-state chassis, single channel, MIDI synthesizer, front black control panel, single input, four knobs (v, b, m, t), digital processor with various buttons, data wheel, a...

FENDER MH-500 METALHEAD (NO. 228-2000-000) Image

FENDER MH-500 METALHEAD (NO. 228-2000-000)

- 550W into 2 ohms (400W into 4 ohms), head-unit only, solid-state chassis, three channels, front black control panel, single input, 19 chrome knobs (Clean: v, t, m, b, Tight Drive: drive, v, p, t, m, b, Loose Drive: drive, v, p, t, m, b, b...

FENDER 400 PRO HEAD (NO. 224-5600-010) Image

FENDER 400 PRO HEAD (NO. 224-5600-010)

- 500W @ 2 Ohms, 350W @ 4 Ohms, head-unit only, solid-state chassis, single channel, front silver control panel, single input, 12 black knobs (room balance, b, t, 2 lows, 2 mids, 2 highs, g, compressor, MV), black carpet covering, space for...

FENDER SIDEKICK 10 Image

FENDER SIDEKICK 10

- 10W, 1-8 in. speaker, solid-state chassis, front black control panel, single input, five black knobs (v, MV, t, m, b), black tolex covering, silver grille, mfg. 1983-85.

FENDER H.O.T. (NO. 022-6100-010)  Image

FENDER H.O.T. (NO. 022-6100-010)

- 25W, 1-10 in. speaker, solid-state chassis, reverb, front black control panel, two inputs, four preprogrammed sounds, three black knobs (contour, v, r), tape/CD input, effects loop, headphone jack, gray carpet covering, black grille, 23 l...

FENDER BRONCO (NO. 022-3104-000) Image

FENDER BRONCO (NO. 022-3104-000)

- 15W, 1-8 in. speaker, top chrome control panel, single input, six black chickenhead knobs (v1, g, v2, t, m, b), overdrive switch, headphone jack, tweed covering, brown grille, 14 lbs., mfg. 1994-2001.

FENDER ROC PRO 700 (NO. 022-6806-000) Image

FENDER ROC PRO 700 (NO. 022-6806-000)

- 70W, 1-12 in. speaker, hybrid design, 12AX7 preamp, solid-state power, two switchable channels, front chrome control panel, single input, 10 black knobs (Ch. 1: v, t, m, b, Ch. 2: g, t, m, b, v, master r), effects loop, two-button footswi...

FENDER CYBER-TWIN (NO. 022-9000-000)  Image

FENDER CYBER-TWIN (NO. 022-9000-000)

- 130W, 2-12 in. Celestion G12 T-100 speakers, 2 X 12AX7 preamp tubes, solid-state power amp, new blackface control panel with digital display, one input, nine black knobs (trim, gain, v, t, m, b, presence, reverb, master), various but...

FENDER BLUES DELUXE (NO. 021-3102-000) Image

FENDER BLUES DELUXE (NO. 021-3102-000)

- 40W, 1-12 in. Eminence speaker, tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7, power: 2 X GT 6L6, two channels, reverb, top chrome control panel, two inputs, eight black chickenhead knobs (v, drive, t, b, m, MV, r, p), channel select switches, effects...

FENDER 30 Image

FENDER 30

- 30W, 2-10 in. or 1-12 in. speakers, tube chassis, preamp: 4 X 7025, 2 X 12AT7, power: 2 X 6L6, 5U4 rectifier, two channels, reverb, front black control panel, two inputs, nine silver-top knobs (Ch. 1: v, t, b, Ch. 2: g, t, m, b, r, v), so...

FENDER VIBROVERB (BROWNFACE) Image

FENDER VIBROVERB (BROWNFACE)

- 35W, 2-10 in. Oxford speakers, tube chassis, preamp: 4 X 7025, 2 X 12AX7, power: 2 X 6L6GC, 5U4 rectifier, two channels, reverb, vibrato, brownface control panel, four input jacks (two normal, two bright), nine brown knobs (Norm...

FENDER VIBROLUX (NARROW PANEL) Image

FENDER VIBROLUX (NARROW PANEL)

- 10W, 1-10 in. Jensen, tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 12AX7, power: 2 X 6V6, 5Y3 rectifier, tremolo, top black control panel, three inputs, four pointer knobs (v, tone, s, d), diagonal tweed covering, brown tweed-era grille, mfg. 1954-1961.

FENDER VIBRASONIC (BROWNFACE) Image

FENDER VIBRASONIC (BROWNFACE)

- 25W, 1-15 in. JBL speaker, tube chassis, preamp: 5 X 7025, power: 2 X 6L6GC, two channels, tremolo, brownface control panel, four inputs (two normal, two vibrato), nine brown knobs (Norm: v, t, b, Vibrato: v, t, b, s, i, Both: p), br...

FENDER TWIN (WIDE PANEL) Image

FENDER TWIN (WIDE PANEL)

- 15W, 2-12 in. Jensen Concert Series speakers, tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 6SC7, 6J5, power: 2 X 6L6, 5U4 rectifier, top numbered control panel, four input jacks, four pointer knobs (mic v, inst. v, b, t), diagonal tweed covering,...

FENDER BANDMASTER (TV FRONT) Image

FENDER BANDMASTER (TV FRONT)

- 15W, 1-15 in. Jensen, tube chassis: 2 X 6SJ7,6SN7 or 6SL7, 2 X 6L6, top control panel, two pointer knobs (v, tone), early tweed covering, cloth grille, mfg. 1952 only.

FENDER TREMOLUX (NARROW PANEL) Image

FENDER TREMOLUX (NARROW PANEL)

- 15W, 1-12 in. Jensen speaker, tube chassis, preamp: 12AY7, 2 X 7025, power: 2 X 6L6, 5AR4 rectifier, tremolo, top numbered control panel, four input jacks, five pointer knobs (mic v, inst. v, tone, s, d), tremolo foot control switch,...

FENDER DUAL PROFESSIONAL (SUPER) Image

FENDER DUAL PROFESSIONAL (SUPER)

- 16W, 2-10 in. Jensen speakers, tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 6SJ7, power: 2 X 6L6, 5U4 rectifier, top numbered control panel, four inputs (two instruments, one mic, one lo-gain), three pointer knobs (mic v, inst. v, tone), fuse holder, a...

FENDER SHOWMAN (BROWNFACE) Image

FENDER SHOWMAN (BROWNFACE)

- 85W, 1-12 in. or 1-15 in. JBL speaker in separate cabinet, tube chassis, preamp: 4 X 7025, 2 X 12AX7, power: 4 X 5881, two channels, tremolo, brownface control panel, four inputs, (two normal, two vibrato), nine white or brown knobs (Norm...

FENDER CONCERT (NO. 021-4802-000) Image

FENDER CONCERT (NO. 021-4802-000)

- 60W, 1-12 in. speaker, tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 12AT7, 4 X 12AX7, power: 2 X 6L6, two-selectable channels, new blackface control panel, two inputs, 12 silver-top knobs (Ch.1: v, t, m, b, Ch. 2: g1, g2, v, t, b, m, Both: mix, r), effects...

FENDER BASSMAN (T.V. FRONT) Image

FENDER BASSMAN (T.V. FRONT)

- 26W, 1-15 in. Jensen speaker, tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 6SJ7, 6SL7, power: 2 X 6L6, top chrome control panel, two pointer knobs (v, tone), closed back with circle ports, chassis is on the bottom of the cabinet, early tweed covering,...

FENDER PROFESSIONAL (MODEL 26) Image

FENDER PROFESSIONAL (MODEL 26)

- 15W, 1-15 in. Jensen speaker, tube chassis, preamp: 6SC7/6N7, power: 2 X 6L6, 5Y3 rectifier, two channels, back control panel, three inputs, (one mic, two inst.), three pointer knobs (mic. v, inst. v, tone), polished wood cabinet, re...

FENDER PRINCETON (MODEL 26) Image

FENDER PRINCETON (MODEL 26)

- 4.5W, 1-8 in. Jensen or Utah speaker, tube chassis, preamp: 6SL7, power: 6V6, 5Y3 rectifier, no control panel, only two jacks in the back, no on/off switch, polished wood cabinet, colored cloth grille with vertical chrome strips, mfg...

FENDER HARVARD Image

FENDER HARVARD

- 10W, 1-8 or 1-10 in. speaker, tube chassis, preamp: 6AT6, 12AX7, power: 2 X 6V6, 5Y3 rectifier, top numbered chrome control panel, three inputs, two pointer knobs (v, tone), diagonal tweed covering, brown tweed-era grille, mfg. 1955-...

FENDER DELUXE (MODEL 26) Image

FENDER DELUXE (MODEL 26)

- 10W, 1-10 in. Jensen speaker, tube chassis, preamp: 6SC7, 6N7, power: 2 X 6F6, 5Y3 rectifier, top black control panel with white lettering, three pointer knobs (inst. v, mic. v, tone), polished wood cabinet, colored felt with vertica...

FENDER CONCERT (BROWNFACE) Image

FENDER CONCERT (BROWNFACE)

- 40W, 4-10 in. Jensen speakers, seven-tube chassis, preamp: 5 X 7025, power: 2 X 6L6GC, two channels, vibrato, brownface control panel, four inputs, (two normal, two vibrato), nine brown knobs (Norm: v, t, b, Vibrato: v, t, b, s, i, Both:...

FENDER CHAMPION 600 (TV FRONT) Image

FENDER CHAMPION 600 (TV FRONT)

- 4W, 1-6 in. Jensen, tube chassis, preamp: 6SJ7, power: 6V6, 5Y3 rectifier, two inputs one volume pointer knob, two-tone brown and white textured vinyl covering, brown clothe grille, mfg. 1949-1953.

FENDER BRONCO Image

FENDER BRONCO

- 5W, 1-8 in. speaker, tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 12AX7A, power: 6V6GTA, solid-state rectifier, single channel, vibrato, silverface control panel, two inputs, five pointer knobs (v, b, t, s, i), black tolex covering, silver grille, mfg....

FENDER FM 15DSP (NO. 231-8000-003) Image

FENDER FM 15DSP (NO. 231-8000-003)

- 15W, 1-8 in. Special Design speaker, solid-state chassis, DSP effects, two channels, front black control panel, single input, eight black knobs (Ch. 1 v, g, Ch. 2 v, amp type, t, m, b, FX), headphone jack, RCA inputs, black covering, blac...

FENDER AUTOMATIC SE (NO. 022-6400-000) Image

FENDER AUTOMATIC SE (NO. 022-6400-000)

- 25W, 1-12 in. speaker, solid-state chassis, five programmed sounds classic Fender sound, front black control panel, single input, seven white push buttons, five black knobs (v, t, b, r, chorus), tape/CD inputs, footswitch, black tolex cov...

FENDER CYBER-CHAMP (NO. 229-0300-000) Image

FENDER CYBER-CHAMP (NO. 229-0300-000)

- 65W, 1-12 in. Celestion G12T-100 speaker, 21 presets, digital tuner, programmable noise gate and compressor, new blackface control panel, one input, nine silver-top knobs (g, v, t, m, b, MV, r, mod f/x), black tolex covering, silver grill...

FENDER BULLET REVERB (NO. 022-6706-049) Image

FENDER BULLET REVERB (NO. 022-6706-049)

- 15W, 1-8" speaker, solid-state chassis, two selectable channels, reverb, front black control panel, single input, seven silver-top knobs (v, g, v, t, m, b, r), headphone jack, external speaker jack, black vinyl covering, silver grille, 15...

FENDER BASSMAN 25 (NO. 022-4501-000) Image

FENDER BASSMAN 25 (NO. 022-4501-000)

- 25W, 1-10 in. Eminence speaker, solid-state combo, active and passive inputs, FX loop, headphone jack, aux. input, black control panel, five silver-top knobs (v, t, m, b, aux level), tuner out jack, tuner mute switch with indicator,...

FENDER B-300 Image

FENDER B-300

- 300W, head only, solid-state chassis, black control panel, 10 black knobs (v, b, low mid, mid, effects, 3-way equalizer, compressor), rack-mountable, built-in compressor, variable crossover, balanced line out, no covering just a metal cas...

FENDER CAPRICORN Image

FENDER CAPRICORN

- 105W, 3-12 in. JBL speakers, solid-state chassis (28 transistors, 13 diodes), two channels, reverb, vibrato, black/aluminum control panel, four inputs, two for each channel, bright switches, ten numbered black knobs with silver skirts (No...