Fender Stratocaster

Billy Carson was listed in the Guinness book of world records for growing the largest watermelon ever weighed. And if you think that is something, consider the fact that Billy also worked with Leo Fender in streamlining the Stratocaster electric guitar in the early 1950s. As a country player in Southern California in the late 1940s, Billy became close friends with Leo. At the time, Leo was a radio repair man who helped musicians on the side fixing their amplifiers. Over the years, Billy related his frustration over the way the sharp edge of his guitar would cut into his ribs. Leo designed the Stratocaster to fit nicely against the body and added other ideas of Billy’s over the years.

Dale Hyatt was hired by Leo Fender while the iconic guitar building was still a radio repairman in Fullerton, CA. The year was 1948. Dale recalls all of the major landmarks that helped establish the development of the Stratocaster and the birth of rock and roll. Dale remained with Leo as he established The Music Man and with Fender when it was sold to CBS Musical Instruments. Dale worked with Leo and George Fullerton to create G&L Guitars. In fact, Dale retired from G&L, Leo’s last guitar company, six months after Leo’s passing in 1991.  

Yngwie Malmsteen is a ferociously talented guitar player, composer, and producer from Sweden. He first gained notoriety in the mid 1980’s when he exploded onto the music scene blending his mastery of neoclassical guitar technique with the heavy metal music genre. Building upon the fame from the bands Steeler and Alcatrazz, Malmsteen soon grabbed the reigns of his fame and started his lucrative and very productive solo career that still sends would-be guitar players back to the woodshed. His signature Fender guitar, which incorporates a scalloped neck combined with 70’s styling, is still one of the most popular signature guitars in production.  

Don Randall met Leo Fender before World War II when both men worked in radio repairs. After the war they decided to form a business together that would allow Leo to focus on developing a line of guitars. Don’s history of radio amplifiers and his business education made for a perfect match. The Fender Guitar Company began work on a series of electric guitars and Don named all of the products Leo designed.

Babe Simoni began working for the Fender Guitar Company in 1953. He was a teenager when George Fullerton hired him to work on the factory floor. Babe’s father had worked in the plant just the year before but had suffered a stroke and left the company. Babe worked on nearly every style of guitar the company produced in those early days and he remained on staff until several years after CBS purchased the company. He then followed Leo Fender, who by that time had already established Music Man, where Babe remained until his retirement from the industry in the early 1980s.  

Dan Smith was inducted into Fender’s Hall of Fame for good reason. Dan designed the re-launching of the famous guitar company after it was sold by CBS. Dan’s vision was to bring the product back to the early concepts that originally made the Fender name famous. His success led to a long career with Fender including his role with artist relations and marketing. All of this is but one of many sides to Dan Smith, a true industry innovator!