Hey Guys. I really want to learn more about Fender's history. Not just the basics but in depth stuff like which year certain neck profiles were used and when they stopped, when the first solid combo amp was made, etc . Alot of you are well seasoned veteran near endorsees and I would like to know where I can read, study and learn more about Fender. Websites, books & all are in consideration and all input I'd gladly appreciated . Thank you


P.S. I am a male. I thought I should just put that out there Lol

Two books immediately spring to mind, both by Tom Wheeler. Pick up his "Stratocaster Chronicles" and "The Soul Of Tone". The first tome is a pretty comprehensive look at the Stratocaster while the second volume covers most of Fender's amp designs up through circa 1995.

Richard Smith's "Fender - The Sound Heard Round The World" is also a great read, covering much of the corporate machinations from Leo's early days though the CBS takeover.

Teagle & Sprung's "Fender Amps - The First Fifty Years" is likewise a useful reference.

HTH

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

+1 on the first three. And "Soul of Tone" actually covers up to around 2005 as it discusses the Blues Deluxe/Deville Reissues which came out a few years before that.

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Bill

Duh! Sorry, Bill -- you're right.

I had another uh......"senior moment".



Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

I read those books often,especially Teagle and Sprung's book,I like the layout of that one where the amp models have a section to themselves...it's a great reference.
*to the original poster,it's an ongoing education,some of us have been playing since the '60s and have been using Fender guitars and amps for over 40 years,but speaking for myself,I just played for alot of those years and until I started looking at the internet back in the '90s,little did I realize how much information is out there and I have learned many things about the history of the actual gear I was using....A history I was part of!
Some of the guys here know more than I do about even the smallest capacitor or volume pot,you'll find.
If you're serious,you will have a lifetime of learning to do.

Don't we all.

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Bill

This guy here has killer detailed info:

http://home.provide.net/~cfh/fender.html