The Fender Stratocaster is one of the most iconic electric guitars in history, known for its distinctive sound and sleek design. However, not many people know that the ownership of the brand has changed hands multiple times and that one of the most significant changes in its production came when CBS purchased Fender in 1965. Before the CBS acquisition, Fender was owned by Leo Fender, who founded the company in 1946. He was a brilliant inventor and a passionate musician who developed a number of groundbreaking designs that revolutionized the music industry. He was known for his commitment to quality and attention to detail, and his guitars quickly became the go-to choice for many of the world's most famous musicians. However, in the early 1960s, Leo's health began to deteriorate, and he started to consider selling his company. CBS, which was a major player in the media industry at the time, saw an opportunity to diversify its portfolio and acquire a brand with a strong reputation and a loyal customer base. At first, the CBS acquisition did not have a significant impact on Fender's production. However, as time went on, CBS began to implement changes that would ultimately have a profound effect on the quality and reputation of the brand.
One of the most notable changes that CBS made was to cut costs wherever possible. This led to a decrease in the quality of materials used in the production of Fender guitars. For example, the company started using cheaper woods for the bodies and necks of their guitars, which had an impact on the overall sound and feel of the instruments. Another significant change that CBS implemented was to introduce new manufacturing processes that emphasized efficiency over quality. This resulted in a decrease in the attention to detail that had previously been a hallmark of Fender's production, as well as an increase in the number of mistakes and defects in the guitars that were being produced.
Despite these changes, the Fender Stratocaster remains a popular guitar, and many musicians continue to use and love them. However, some purists argue that the CBS-era guitars do not match the quality and sound of the original Fender designs and that the changes made compromised the integrity of the brand.
In the years since the CBS acquisition, Fender has changed ownership multiple times, and the brand has gone through many ups and downs. However, it is clear that the changes that were made during the CBS era had a lasting impact on the reputation and quality of the Fender Stratocaster. Today, Fender continues to be a beloved brand among guitarists, and the Stratocaster remains one of the most iconic and recognizable guitars in the world.
Works Cited
Orkin, Dan. “Fender and the CBS Takeover.” Reverb.com, 14 Jan. 2013, reverb.com/news/fender-and-the-cbs-takeover.
Stoner, Brandon. “A Brief History of Fender Guitars.” Guitar.com | All Things Guitar, 13 June 2022, guitar.com/features/brief-history-of-fender-guitars/.