FENDER GUITARS

WHAT MAKES THEM WELL DESIGNED?

I’ve been trying to learn how to play the bass guitar recently, with little success. I’ve been using it as an excuse to procrastinate mostly. In an industry with so many different designs and sounds, what makes a guitar well designed? Obviously, all guitars sound different, and many differ purely on sound alone. I (try) to play a Squier Jazz Bass that I found on Facebook marketplace. This is the cheaper budget version of the Fender offerings and follow essentially the same body design. This is a body design that was perfected with the Fender Stratocaster first released in 1954. Not much has changed since then, being adopted across a range of Fender products. The staple of form and ergonomics for guitars for years to come.

So, what’s so great about this design? Why hasn’t it changed much in 70 years? It all starts with the Fender Telecaster, released in 1951. Similar electric guitars had existed in many forms since around the 20s, but the Tele was really the first mass produced solid body guitar of its kind.

Fender Telecaster, 1951

While a very successful product for Fender and adored by many this was not the perfect guitar by any means. When it released Fender were already looking for a successor, a new guitar that could compete with more high-end manufacturers such as Gibson’s Les Paul. The main issue was with the ergonomics of the Telecaster with its squared off edged design, like that of traditional acoustic guitars. This made it uncomfortable hold for some people, almost feeling like it was digging into your sides. So, this lead to the creation of the Fender Stratocaster in 1954.

Fender Stratocaster, 1954

What I find interesting about the Stratocaster is that Leo Fender wasn’t trying to create something new and revolutionary. He simply wanted to create a better guitar. Alongside guitarist Rex Gallion and a team at Fender, they crafted what became the Stratocaster.

So, what did the Stratocaster change and why would I consider it great design? The most important feature was the shift to a more contoured design. As electric guitars had no requirement for the boxy design anymore, the body was refined and the harsh edges were changed to be more smooth in all of the right places. Most notably the top of the guitar at the back. This area allows it to blend into your body and be less intrusive than the previous boxy design.

Telecaster Back

Statocaster Back with Contours

Stratocaster Curved Edges

The design also features a second cutaway, this is mostly for aesthetics, but it does make it slightly easier access to the upper frets. Ultimately this design shares many similarities with the Telecaster predecessor. Minor upgrades to an already simple design, with a focus on functionality and form as opposed to flashy aesthetics.

Stratocaster Side View of Contours

This image illustrates this change in form well. The left arrow pointing to the contour designed to fit to your body. You can see how the curve follows the natural curve of the body it is meant to sit against. The right arrow points to the taper towards the edge of the guitar designed to be more comfortable for your arm to lean against. This design means the guitar can be held for long periods of time without ever becoming uncomfortable. It’s these almost subtle but necessary changes that basically perfected the already simple and effective design of the earlier Fender guitars.

Left to Right: Telecaster, Stratocaster, Jaguar, Precision Bass, Jazz Bass

When you look at this current range of Fender guitars, not much has changed since they were introduced in the 1950s. Another example of great timeless design. As shifts in culture and music have changed through the years, Fender guitars have remained a staple to so many. I’m pretty new to this and I’m sure many people would disagree and choose different guitars as their favourite for whatever reason. When it comes to pure functionality and comfort, the Fender range is arguably one of the best. Simple and effective. When you think guitars, you probably think Fender and I think that makes it difficult to argue that this isn’t great design.