The Fender Jaguar

The Fender Jaguar, an excellent addition to the infamous line of Fender guitars. Utilized by such musicians as Kurt Cobain of Nirvana, Johnny Marr of the Smiths, and John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. In the early years it followed many failures, and as time went on it suffered through two reissues. Clearly worth the time and effort however, spawning a whole new generation of Jaguar lovers giving another great fender guitar a secured place in music history. The tale for the Jaguar began way back in the '50's with a guitar known as the Jazzmaster.

Back in the hay days of music, one of the three Fender men Forrest White got the brilliant idea of creating a guitar that could set two completely different tones with the flick of a switch. In submitting this idea to the co-founder Leo Fender (Who couldn't play guitar) he was turned down. Luckily for this generation of musicians, a musician named Alvino Rey was pitched the idea by Forrest and Rey loved the idea. Reinventing the Jazzmaster with all new gimmicks, the guitar to be known as the Jaguar was released in 1962. Featuring a shorter neck, 22 frets, and thinner pickups with a medal shield to reduce the squeal. Also including a muting system which muted the strings automatically when wanted, also the first Fender to include the chunky logo on the headstock. This was a high powered instrument, more complex and full of gimmicks than its predecessor. Sadly it failed in the sails and was discontinued in 1975.

Unfortunately the cardinal rule of guitars is that simplicity is king this was just too much to turn any sort of profit. Something amazing did happen, it gained popularity because of its use by underground alternative bands like Sonic Youth and of course Nirvana because of how cheap it had become. It had been born again, being bought up by many alternative fans. It had begun to be sold for $1200 as apposed to its $200 dollar price. In the 90's Fender released cheap reissues but did not live up to the vintage guitars, so in 1999 they released exact replicas of the vintage guitar to live up to the expectations. The models today are essentially the same, minus the better constructed pick ups. This guitar has come a long way since the 50's, and will always remain a part of history.

If you'd like to pick up your own Fender Jaguar take a look at our collection or come in and play one at our store, The Guitar Lounge - Fender Heaven

The Fender Telecaster: A Signature Sound Never Goes Out Of Style

A lot of words can describe the Fender Telecaster, but the one most fans of the guitar would agree on is “iconic.” Artists as diverse as Muddy Waters and Chrissie Hynde have made the tele their instrument of choice, bringing its characteristic tone to all kinds of musical genres.

The Telecaster was Fender’s first wildly popular guitar, with its rough-around-the-edges quality that both amateurs and professionals rave passionately about. But its workmanlike qualities complement a sound that’s been described as “ringing,” “chiming,” “gritty,” “crisp” and “sparkling.”

The tele’s distinct sound comes from the humbucking pickup patented by Seth Lover -- then, at Gibson -- who was hired by Fender Guitars in 1967. He re-designed the pickup to produce a brighter tone, setting it apart from his earlier efforts. In 1970, a pair of these humbuckers were used on the revamped semi-hollow Telecaster Thinline, and one was used on the solid-body Telecaster Custom in 1972.

Missing was a solid-body tele with dual humbuckers. That changed with the 1973 introduction of the Telecaster Deluxe, billed as the line’s top model, at a list price of $399.50. Though it was definitely a member of the Telecaster family by body shape alone, changes in the model made it an example of great design in the 20th century. The guitar incorporated some of its sibling Stratocaster look, including the addition of a large Strat-style headstock and a Strat-style body contour. It also featured a pair of the Wide Range humbucking pickups developed by Seth Lover, and the pickguard-mounted toggle control switch layout of the Telecaster Custom.

Like the other two Telecaster models equipped with two humbucker pickups, the Deluxe wasn’t embraced by guitarists, and was discontinued in 1981.

But like so many iconic items, the public -- and a new wave of guitarists hungering for a salt-of-the-earth instrument -- once again embraced the Telecaster in the 1990s and 2000s. Fender didn't hesitate to begin manufacturing a new generation of teles, dominated by the Telecaster Deluxe variations, now produced in Mexico. These included Fender’s re-issue of the ‘72 Telecaster Deluxe, rolled out in 2004. Three variations were re-issued in 2009, and Fender’s value brand Squier, also offers Telecasters based on the Deluxe.

Today’s tele popularity is partially due to players who consider it to be one of the few guitars that actually do improve with use. And because the Telecaster fits the human body so well, it’s a top pick for today’s guitarists. The Telecaster might be a gloriously simple, no-frills instrument, but it’s once again regarded as one of the finest electric guitars ever produced.

It’s been described as indestructible. Some call it their instrument of choice. That’s because the Fender Telecaster originals and re-issues are responsible for a distinctive sound that still rolls through the diverse styles of country, jazz, blues and rock-and-roll guitarists. Judging by amateurs and pros, Fender Guitars has managed to re-invent an object that doesn’t look or sound outdated. The Telecaster, despite a temporary dip in sales during the 1980s, has once again proven why it’s a musical icon. Its beautiful sound is music to players’ -- and listeners’ ears.

If you're looking to pick up your own Fender Telecaster Deluxe why not contact the Guitar Lounge for more information, its Fender heaven

The Telecaster Custom

In the late 1950's and early 1960's the twangy single-coil sound produced by Fender guitars enjoyed a considerable amount of popularity. However as the 60's progressed this popularity began to fade as guitarist's began to seek a creamier sound that the standard Fender Telecaster did not deliver, this was a result of artists such as Eric Clapton and Mike Bloomfield plugging their humbucker equipped Gibsons into over-driven Marshall Amps. In order to replicate this sound Fender player began to replace the single coil standard pickup on their Telecasters with after market humbuckers.

In order to establish a foothold in this emerging market, Fender hired Seth Lover in 1967 the designer of the Gibson Humbucker, however as the patent hadn't quite expired on the Gibson Humbucker, he designed one that was similar but produced a more "brilliant" sound that he felt Fender was known for. Lover perfected this new pickup called the Wide Range Humbucking Pickup by late 1970, and in 1971 they were offered for the first time on a redesigned version of the semi-hollow Telecaster Thinline model, with two of them replacing the Thinline’s two single-coil pickups.

Many of the Telecaster lovers in the late 60’s and early 70’s loved the thinline because of the famously bright and snappy sound of the guitar’s single coil bridge pickup, consequently, an common modification of the era was to retrofit Telecasters with humbucking pickups, but only in the neck position. This didn't go unnoticed by Fender either and in 1972 they introduced a solid body Telecaster with a Humbucking pickup in the neck position whilst placing the single coil pickup in the bridge position, this became the Telecaster Custom.

The 1972 Telecaster Custom bore little resemblance to any previous Telecaster model apart from the bridge pickup and body. It had an elongated pickgaurd that encompassed both pickups, and unlike any previous Telecaster Model the Custom had four skirted black control knobs (volume and tone for each pickup) and a toggle-type pickup selector switch mounted on the upper bout, all of which were also encompassed by the pickguard.

With recent interest in the Telecaster Custom, the 1972 Telecaster Custom has been re-released in 1999 and the cheaper Fender brand Squier also introduced two models the Vintage Modified Telecaster Custom (2003) and the Vintage Modified Tele Custom II (2004), although the former has two humbucking pickups and the latter has two single-coil pickups.

Looking to pick up your own '72 Custom Telecaster? Head to the Guitar Lounge to try one out for yourself, if not try one of our many other Fender guitars! The Guitar Lounge, Fender heaven.

The Gretsch Duojet

The Gretsch Duo Jet has been manufactured since the 1950's and has a semi-solid body, it is the Gretsch Duo Jet 6128 model that is the most sought after.

All Gretsch Jet guitars are virtually identical apart from their colours, the Duo Jet was black, the FireBird was a deep red, and the SilverJet was, of course, capped in silver sparkle plastic drum material. Some Duo-Jets were finished in Cadillac Green, but they're pretty rare. Even more rare - the Bigsby B-3 tremolo that was an extra-cost option.

The Duo and Silver were both first released in 1954. Jets are unique due to the nature of their bodies that have been heavily routed which makes them in essence semi solid guitars. In 1961 big change came and the Jets became double cutaways, the first double cutaways are roughly equivalent to the earlier Jets, but shortly after the change-over Gretsch began to change the Jets.

In 1962 Vibrato tailpieces became standard other changes to '62 included gold hardware replacing chrome and other sparkle finishes, including gold, champagne, burgundy and tangerine being offered, a few Jets were made with the special sparkle finishes, and they're quite rare today.

These changes last till 1970 when Gretsch, urged on by Duke Kramer and plant manager Bill Hagner, switched back to a single-cutaway body, hoping to rekindle past glories.

If your looking to pick up your own Gretsch Duo Jet why not swing by our store and try one out yourself.

Fender Black Top Guitars

The new Fender Black Tops have arrived, these long awaited guitars are now available at The Guitar Lounge. The Black Top features 4 different models of the Telecaster, Stratocaster, Jazzmaster and the Jaguar HH which is said to broaden the sonic horizon of this classic guitar by powering it with high – gain humbucking pickups.

The Fender Black Top Jaguar HH features a solid Alder body, maple neck and a Rosewood fret board, both the neck and bridge pickups are a Hot Vintage Alnico and both have nickel covered humbucking pickups with black skirting. The Fretboard Radius is 9.5? and has 22 Medium Jumbo frets, and the body also features a 3 position pickup switch. The Jaguar HH can be purchased in either silver or black.

Like the Jaguar, the Stratocaster Black Top features an Alder body, maple neck, and a rosewood or maple fretboard. It also features Hot Vintage Alnico bridge and neck pickups that are both nickel covered with humbuckers. The fretboard radius is 9.5” and features 22 medium jumbo frets. The guitar also features a 5 position pickup switch; Position 1 is just the bridge humbucker, position 2 is both pickups, but just the inner single coils. Position 3 is both humbuckers in full. Position 4 is just the outer single coil in the neck. Position 5 is the neck humbucker. Available in Black, Candy Apple Red, and Sonic Blue with either a Black or Mint Green pick guard.

The Black Top The Jazzmaster features an Alder body, maple neck, and a Rosewood fretboard. The bridge pickup is a Ducan Designed Humbucker, and the neck pickup is a Jazzmaster Single coil pickup. The fretboard Radius is 9.5? and has 21 Medium Jumbo frets, the body features a 3 position pickup switch.

Finally the Black Top Telecaster also features an Alder body, with a maple neck and Rosewood or maple fretboard. Both the bridge and neck pikcups are Hot Vintage Alnico, the fretboard Radius is 9.5" and has 22 Medium Jumbo frets. The body also features a 3 position pickup switch, and is available in Black, Candy Apple Red, and Silver, with Black pick guard.

If you’d like to own your own Fender Black Top be sure to come into The Guitar Lounge to try one out or take a look at our website

The Fender Jazzmaster

The Jazzmaster is an electric that was introduced in 1958 at the NAMM Show, designed as a more upmarket instrument than the Fender Stratocaster which was originally to replace the Telecaster model. The name suggests that the guitar was aimed at Jazz guitarists but it was more commonly played by surf rock guitarists during the early 1960’s and more recently indie rock artists.

The Jazzmaster features a contoured “offset-waist” body design which was intended to the guitar more comfortable to play in a seated position as many Jazz player were known to do. With a full 25-1/2” scale length, lead and rhythm circuit switching with independent volume and tone controls these were some of the key features of the Jazzmaster’s character. The guitar also featured a floating tremolo with a tremolo lock which could be manually activated to prevent the guitar from going out of tune should a string break. As the body was larger than most other Fender guitars, it also required a larger guitar case.

In 1980 the Jazzmaster was officially discontinued, however there are some reports that say that no more guitars were made after 1977 and that those guitars sold from 1978 to 1980 were old stock. However in 1986 the Jazzmaster was re-introduced as a 1962 re-issue from Fender’s Japanese factory. Fender introduced the Jazzmaster as a solid body alternative to the hollow body archtop guitars that were common amongst Jazz guitarists at the time, the guitar never really caught on amongst its intended audience however it found success with California based surf music and the instrumental rock scene.

In 2007 Fender released the J-Masics signature Jazzmaster, in honour of the Dinosaur Jr frontman, in 2008 the Elvis Costello Jazzmaster was released and was the 2nd signature guitar released. In 2009 it was announced by Fender that they would produce Lee Ranaldo and Thurston Moore Jazzmasters in honour of the Sonic Youth guitarists.

If you are interested in getting your hands on your own Jazzmaster why not swing by The Guitar Lounge in Sydney and try one out?

Fender Amps

Leo Fender began building guitar amps before he started manufacturing guitars. The first of these amps were the K&F models, which were produced between 1945 and 1946. The original Fender amps were tube powered, and the company also started producing solidstate models in the late 1960s.

The first amps that Leo made himself were the K&F amplifiers. They were made by the K&F Manufacturing Corporation, which was run by Leo Fender and Doc Kauffman. Most of the amps were finished in a "gray crinkle" finish. The finishes were baked in the Kauffman family oven. They were made in three different sizes, 1x8", 1x10", and 1x15", these amps are extremely rare as very few have survived to today. From 1946 to 1947 Fender began making the Woodie, it was the first amp that he made himself.

After the Woodie, came the Tweed amplifiers, they were known as Tweed amps due to them being made in a Tweed finish. The tweed was first used on Fender amps in 1948 on the Champion, the Fender company stopped using the tweed covering on all amplifiers, except the Champ, in 1960. From 1960 till 1964, the Fender company produced the Blonde amplifier, there after they produced the Blackface.

The Blackface was produced from 1964 till 1967 and during their production CBS took over Fender, and after the buyout the only thing that changed on the amp was the front panel, which was changed from "Fender Electric Instruments" to "Fender Musical Instruments".Fender Silverface amplifiers were built between 1967 and 1981. They are often referred to as Silverface (or Chromeface) because of their brushed aluminum face plate. The first Silverface amps, manufactured between 1967 and 1969, had an aluminum frame around the grillcloth. All of the Silverface amps had blue labels on the face plate, with the exception on the Bronco, which had a red label.

If you're looking to pick up your ownFender Amp, to go with your Fender Guitar look no further than the Guitar Lounge

The Fender Stratocaster

As we only stock Fender Guitars at the Guitar Lounge we thought it was important that all the fans of the Strat get a quick history lesson here!

An icon in the musical industry and one of the big 3 enduring guitars models, the Fender Strat was designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton and Freddie Tavares in 1954 and has been manufactured since The Stratocaster is noted for its bright, clean and 'twangy' sounds. The neck pickup has a mellower, fuller and louder sound compared to the brighter and sharper tone of the bridge pickup. The Fender Strat’s design was radically sleek and its contoured body shape marked a significant difference to the more solid design of the Telecaster. With Double cutaways it allowed players easier access to higher positions on the neck, combined with a single knob to control the volume on all 3 pickups it allowed for easier sound manipulation with the right hand whilst playing. Early finishes on the guitar on generally sunburst however in during the 70’s there was a switch towards more natural finishes on the guitar.

The Strat features 3 single coil pickups, the output was originally selected by a 3-way switch, however guitarists were quick to discover that if you jammed the switch between the first and second position the bridge and middle pickups could be selected, and similarly, the middle and neck pickups could be selected between the 2nd and 3rd position. As this trick became widespread responded with their own 5 way pickup selector that has now been a standard feature since 1977.

Buddy Holly was one of the first users of the Strat and used it in almost all of his songs with The Crickets. During Peggy Sue Crickets rhythm guitarist Niki Sullivan wasn’t required so he would stand by Buddy and switch the selector switch from the neck pickup to the bridge pickup for the guitar solo.

Since 1998, many high-end US-made Fender Stratocasters such as the American Deluxe, American, Hot Rodded American, American Special and American Standard series came with an HSH pickup rout instead of a "swimming pool" (or "bath tub") cavity to increase the total amount of wood that actually can resonate, producing a more complex tone.

When Fender was taken over by CBS in 1965 players noted a loss in quality of the guitars and they fell out of fashion for a period, however blues-influenced artists of the late 60’s adopted the Stratocaster as their main instrument which helped to revive the guitars popularity. In recent times, some Stratocasters manufactured from 1954 to 1958 have sold for more than US$175,000.

Since 2007 Fender has offered a wide line of Stratocasters alongside vintage re-issues, as well as maintaining a custom shop that allows you to build custom guitars to order, but if you’re looking for something sooner why no take a look at our collection of Strats here.

Also if you're looking for an interesting read on the Fender Strat we recommend this book called 'The Fender Stratocaster' it can be found at Google books by following this link

Jimi Hendrix was known for moving the switch across the settings while sustaining a note, creating a characteristic 'wobbly' sound

Meeting Leo Fender

I met Clarence ''Leo" Fender in 1984 at the USA summer NAMM show. I saw him sitting alone and thought this was my chance and I would regret it all my life if I didn't. He was getting on by then but still took the time to answer my many eager questions about the early Fender days in the '50's and 60's. Questions that few people were interested in (back then) like ''how many pieces of wood the Strat bodies were made of'' and ''how many guitars a day they made''. He kindly answered to the best of his recollection but I quickly got the impression that Leo was first and foremost an engineer and a designer. He couldnt wait to take one of the pens from his shirt pocket (complete with plastic protector) and start sketching a new tremelo system or a new tube amp. He was soft spoken and humble. I was on a high for the whole 20 minutes.

He never played but he loved the guitar and the people who played it. This was the man who created the Telecaster and the Stratocaster but couldn't play them. Designs of such importance they are still studied today. By 1965 he had sold Fender to CBS (yes, that CBS) for a cool $13 million dollars....thats about $200 million in todays money. He said he tried retiring but didn't like it. I think he mentioned he came deep sea fishing once in Cairns. I don't think he was ever motivated by or that interested in money. I got someone to take a photo of us both, we shook hands and parted company. He died a few years later but it was a meeting that shaped my life from that day forward, and has led me to this point where I now stock nothing but Fender Guitars, and my store the Guitar Lounge.

Leo and myself in 1984