The Fender Archives
Everyone loves a good behind the scenes look into how amazing things came to be. This book is one of my favorites.
I own and play Fender Stratocasters, Fender Telecasters, Fender Precision Basses and Fender Amplifiers. I have always been fascinated by their tone, feel and look.
While there is always a debate about exactly how these iconic instruments came into being, I think we can all agree that Leo Fender and his company came up with some amazing electric guitars and were pioneers and pure innovators.
If you are a history buff like me, prepare to take an archaeological journey into the past world of Fender Guitars.
This book digs deep and sheds new light on the inspiration behind these revolutionary guitars and amplifiers, the personalities and motivations of the key players at Fender and the environment in which they were created and brought forth to all of us to enjoy.
The Source Material is the Thing
The author was given access to a lot of incredible source materials to tell this incredible story, including:
Handwritten Notes
Don Randall's Archives
Fender File Storage Near Corona
Photo Galleries
Leo Fender's Drawing-Board Sketches
Personal Logbooks
In-House Memos
Production Totals
True Guitar Archaeology
This book is really part history, part archive, part scrapbook and part treasure chest. Great pains were taken to give all of us an inside glimpse into the inner workings of the Fender Company. A company that truly changed not just guitar and instrument making, but in my opinion, largely contributed to changing music and inspiring the generations of guitarists who have showed us all what was possible with these amazing guitar innovations.
An Older Account of the Inner Workings of Fender
Another book on the subject may be of interest to all of you fellow Fender history buffs written about 20 years ago.
This book is called "Fender: The Inside Story"
While less of an Archaeological dig, it is more the account of Fender's former General Manager of many years. Also worth checking out!
MORE GREAT GUITAR BOOKS
A few years back, I created a page that has links to some of what I believe to be "Must Have" Guitar Books for the guitarist, guitar enthusiast and guitar collector.
Some of these awesome books are historical in nature and some are just excellent photo collections of some of the most iconic electric guitars ever made.
To view that page just CLICK HERE =>
"MUST HAVE BOOKS FOR GUITAR PLAYERS"
To View More Great Gifts for Guitar Players, click the Image Below to return to our Guitar Player Gift Guide.





Pleased to offer this 1962 Gibson Les Paul (SG). This wonderful player’s grade ‘62 LPSG has had some knocks but some recent refreshing has yielded a ‘62 Les with new life and a great player.
Just refretted and with a new Gibson aged “vintage” sideway vibrola tailpiece, this old Gibson is feeling good on the fretboard but now with improved intonation with the updated tailpiece.
The electronics (pots, wiring, switch, jack) are original. A modern ‘57 Classic bridge pickup but in the neck is the original Patent number sticker PAF.
The neck thin taper with a wide nut but has had a headstock repair. It also appears to have a very thin heel repair and there is overspray over both areas. These appear to be very old and stable repairs.
Priced as a quality player’s grade 1962 Les Paul that has an amazing sound and feel…and it looks pretty cool too. Included original yellow lined case.
📞 Call Rick at 407-801-1925 to discuss the details.