Fender has been a household brand for those who play guitar for over half a century. Though the company has changed hands a few times, the quality of its instruments has always been top-notch. Fender Guitars are made all over the world in several different factories. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at where Fender Guitars are made, highlighting those made in the US, and describing company operations and headquarters.
About Fender Guitars:
Fender Guitars was founded by Leo Fender in Fullerton, California in 1946. Leo Fender was a radio repairman and tinkerer who was looking for a way to make playing guitar easier. He designed and built the world’s first mass-produced solid-body electric guitar, which he named the Telecaster. The Telecaster was quickly followed by the Stratocaster, which has become one of the most iconic guitars in history.
Where are Fender Guitars Made?
Fender Guitars are now made in several different factories around the world, including those in the United States, Mexico, China, and Japan. Each factory produces instruments that are carefully crafted to Leo Fender’s original designs. In the US, Fender Guitars are made in Corona, California and Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
Fender Guitars Made in the US: California-made acoustic guitar
In 2019, Reuters reported about Fender’s launch of California-made acoustic guitar called the American Acoustasonic Series Telecaster going for about $2000. Reuters reported that this was ‘its first production of an acoustic guitar built in the United States in nearly 50 years”
The last time Fender made acoustic guitars was when it produced limited models in the 1960s and early 1970s.
The Corona factory is responsible for producing the majority of Fender’s electric guitars, basses, and amplifiers. The Ensenada factory specializes in acoustic guitars. Both factories use state-of-the-art technology to create instruments that are of the highest quality.
AMERICAN ORIGINAL 50 TELECASTER Made in the US by Fender
Fender Guitars Headquarters:
Fender Guitars’ headquarters is located in Los Angeles, California but was founded in Fullerton, Ca. The company has a wide range of products that cater to all levels of guitarists, from beginners to professionals. Fender also offers a wide range of accessories, such as strings, cases, and picks.
How are Fender Guitars Made:
Fender Guitars are made using a variety of different materials, depending on the model. For example, the Stratocaster is made with an alder body and maple neck, while the Telecaster is made with a ash body and maple neck. The necks and bodies are then joined together and finished with a variety of lacquers and stains.
Once the body and neck are assembled, the next step is to add the electronics. This includes wiring the pickups, bridges, and controls. After the electronics are installed, the final step is to string the guitar and tune it to the perfect pitch.
Fender also offers a wide range of custom options for those who want a truly unique instrument. From custom colors and finishes to hand-wound pickups and one-of-a-kind inlays, there are endless possibilities for those who want a bespoke guitar.
Cost Dynamics, US-manufacturing vs guitar manufacturing overseas:
In the early 70s, Fender moved all its manufacturing of guitars overseas closing its California-based factory because of cheaper labor and cheaper materials overseas.
In the 1970s, the inflation in the US was high, and the Japanese yen was low in value as compared to the US dollar. This meant that Japanese manufacturers could sell their products in the US at a much cheaper price than US-based companies.
As a result, many US-based companies, including Fender, moved their manufacturing operations to Japan to take advantage of the cheaper labor and materials.
In the 1980s, the Japanese economy experienced a slowdown and its production costs rose significantly. Fender and other guitar manufacturers shifted their operations to Southeast Asian economies – specifically Taiwan and South Korea. While Fender maintained operations in Japan and later in Mexico, India, Indonesia, Taiwan, and South Korea, Gibson remained adamant and favored the label, “Made in America.”
Read more on this from this research paper on Acoustic guitar manufacturing.
However, in recent years there has been a resurgence in US-based manufacturing, as companies have realized the benefits of producing closer to their customer base. And this is not just in music. There are also more golf bags, for example, made in the US.
Fender is one of these companies, and they have re-opened their factory in Corona, California. While some models are still produced overseas, the majority of Fender’s guitars are now made in the USA.
This has resulted in a higher price point for US-made Fender guitars, but many customers are willing to pay more for an instrument that is made in their home country.
What this means to you as a potential customer of Fender: Should you insist on US-made Fender guitars?
If you’re looking for the best quality, then yes, you should definitely consider US-made Fender guitars. These instruments are made with high-quality materials and using state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques.
However, if you’re on a budget, then you may want to consider guitars that are made overseas. While these instruments are not of the same quality as US-made guitars, they are still very good instruments that will provide you with years of enjoyment.
Types of Fender Guitars and where they are made:
There are many different types of Fender Guitars, from the iconic Stratocaster and Telecaster to the more modern Jaguar and Mustang. Each guitar is made in a different factory, depending on the model. For example, the Stratocaster is made in the US, Mexico, and China, while the Telecaster is made in Mexico and China.
The majority of Fender Guitars are made in the Corona, California factory, with some models also being made in the Ensenada, Baja California factory. The Corona factory is responsible for producing the majority of Fender’s electric guitars, basses, and amplifiers. The Ensenada factory specializes in acoustic guitars.
Other Guitar Brands and where they are made:
Fender is not the only guitar company that has factories in different countries. Gibson, another iconic guitar brand, also has factories in the US, Mexico, and China. Epiphone, a subsidiary of Gibson, also has factories in China and Indonesia. Ibanez, another popular guitar brand, has factories in Japan, Indonesia, and China.
As you can see, there are many different brands of guitars that are made in a variety of countries. Each company has its own reasons for choosing to manufacture its instruments in certain locations. For example, Fender’s US-made guitars are considered to be of the highest quality, while its Mexican-made guitars are more affordable.
In conclusion, there are many different factors to consider when choosing a guitar. From the brand to the country of origin, there are a lot of options to choose from. Ultimately, it is up to the individual player to decide what is best for them.
Where are Gibson Guitars Made:
Gibson Guitars is an American company that was founded in 1902. The company is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee and has factories in the United States, Canada, and China. Gibson Guitars are made from a variety of materials, including mahogany, maple, and rosewood.
Acoustic guitars are made in Bozeman, Montana and electric guitars are made in Nashville, Tennessee. Gibson Guitars has a wide range of products that cater to all levels of guitarists, from beginners to professionals.
The company also offers a wide range of accessories, such as strings, cases, and picks.
Fender vs Gibson:
Fender and Gibson are two of the most popular guitar brands in the world. Both companies have a long history of making high-quality instruments. Fender Guitars are typically more affordable than Gibson Guitars, but both companies offer a wide range of products that cater to all levels of guitarists.
Fender Guitars are made in the United States, Mexico, China, and Japan, while Gibson Guitars are made in the United States, Canada, and China. When it comes to choosing between these two brands, it ultimately comes down to personal preference.
FAQs
Q: Where are Fender Guitars made?
A: Fender Guitars are made in the United States, Mexico, and China.
Q: Where are Gibson Guitars made?
A: Gibson Guitars are made in the United States, Canada, and China.
Q: What is the difference between these two brands?
A: Fender Guitars are typically more affordable than Gibson Guitars, but both companies offer a wide range of products that cater to all levels of guitarists.
Q: Are Fender guitars good?
A: Fender guitars are known for their quality and durability. They are used by many professional musicians all over the world. Go for Fender guitar brand if you are looking for a quality product.
Q: What are the different types of guitars made by Gibson?
A: Gibson makes a variety of guitars, including acoustic and electric. They also offer a wide range of accessories, such as strings, cases, and picks.
Sources other resources:
- Gibson Guitar Wikipedia Page
- Fender Guitar Wikipedia Page
- Why Fender Pulled its IPO
- Best Fender Guitar Amps
- Fender Amp Settings to Use
- Electric guitar maker Fender launches U.S.-made acoustic guitar
- About the electric guitar: a cross-disciplinary context for an acoustical study
Hi there! I am Jack Musau, the founder of this Best Guitar Amp Review site. I am an avid musician with several years using both traditional and electric guitars and created this site to assist others looking to find the best guitar amplifiers in the market today. I also offer private coaching and training on how to use guitars and guitars amps of all kinds. You can reach out to me using my email, jack@soundspros.com.