My New Fender Stratocaster. Let me explain.

[@MarySpender]

More on the guitar I'm recording with: www.fender.com/en-US/electric-guitars/stratocaster/70th-anniversary-american-vintage-ii-1954-stratocaster/0177002803.html 🎸 *MY TOUR DATES* bit.ly/MarySpenderTour 🥁 *SUPPORT PATREON* www.patreon.com/maryspender

[@SamuelCorvus]

Attitude... I own three American Stratocasters, two American Telecasters, along with Fender amps, and for sure, God forbid, if something happened to them I would be on a search for Fender replacements.

[@Xnake]

Leo's innovations with Fender, Music Man and G&L forever changed music. He literally worked until the last day of his life in his workshop at Fullerton, California.

[@I.am_Groot]

I am a fan of Fender but how is Ms Spender mix into that discussion? Sure I would do a video or two if Fender offered me some gear but then I already play them. This clip reminds me why I don't fw this channel anymore

[@criskatan]

@@I.am_Groot Well, for one; her last name rhymes with Leo's!!

[@criskatan]

@@I.am_Groot She's also a natural. She also seems fairly gifted. What's there not to like??

[@I.am_Groot]

@@criskatan I guess for you a pretty face and some good playing is enough. 0k

[@criskatan]

@@I.am_Groot I get what you're saying. She's probably from the families which is why she's being promoted. It's just that it was my first time seeing and hearing her and also that her last name sounds so similar. Also, the history lesson: I didn't know that Leo had a presence, here, in S.L.O. town, as we like to call it, so that was a nice surprise.

[@TorToroPorco]

I just love the way a Strat sounds when finger played on a low volume.

[@Fm_gray]

I used to have the pleasure of working at the factory in G&L and its wild that leo's old workshop is still in use to this day for the wiring bench. The Fullerton factory holds a special spot in my heart.

[@markmcdonald5711]

I have a 2004 lefty G&L George Fullerton model Strat that I will keep till I die.

[@z4570]

Finally some clean playing and not just overdriven sounds. Thank you, thank you, thank you.!

[@larsmadsen8351]

Mary, thank you for these documentaries/history lessons, they are always a pleasure to watch

[@svbarr]

GREAT DETAIL!!! I studied guitar repair with Doc Kauffman when he was about 70? and I was in my 20's. I'd go to his house in Santa Ana. We'd putz around his garage for an hour or two. He'd show me stuff then at around noonish all work would stop and we'd go to the house where he'd eat lunch (he always offered to feed me but I declined -- he wasn't charging me a penny for the lessons.) He ate off a TV tray and usually had a sandwich or maybe some soup but ALWAYS had a thick slice of raw onion -- which he crunched on like a carrot. He watched "The Newlywed Game" and cackled like a mad crow at jokes that were corny and not that funny.He told me Leo Fender stories -- most were kind and respectful. He also told me that he was the one who showed Leo the value of a good drill press in all kinds of manufacturing processes.It wasn't just a drill, it was a precision sander, a buffer, a punch and all kinds of tools depending on what kind of tool/head you used. Doc had lots of experience from Rickenbacker/Rickenbacher (they had 2 spellings depending on the year -- the first was "Bacher" more Germanic which they changed out of fear of German/Nazi anger) and he taught Leo A LOT about manufacturing. After about 12 weeks I realized I had zero natural skill as a guitar tech. "Ham handed" was an understatement. Doc would have taught me for free forever -- but I was kind of wasting his time. A truly great quirky guy. There is a moving song by Guy Clark "Desperadoes Waitin' For A Train" and our relationship was like that song. A older guy and his young apprentice/pal.I went away to the East Coast for college and we stopped calling each other.Then he passed away, while I was 3000 miles away. I still have a couple guitars we both worked on and I will NEVER sell them.

[@anthonyj.lobreto5544]

What an amazing story 🙌

[@moosey62]

That's a great story. Thanks x

[@svbarr]

@@moosey62 you are welcome - Doc was a hoot.

[@Complicaadd0rock]

awesome!!!!

[@bazzer124]

Big Fender fan here. Love me a Strat and have owned several - from the Mexican to the Corona-made and have never been disappointed! Cheers....

[@harounel-poussah6936]

I'd be curious to know in which context you use it and what do you play... Owned an American Standard bought as new from 1988 to 1997... I wouldn't say I haven't been disappointed. Dumped it for an Excalibur and never regretted doing so...

[@7000ironman]

I agree 100% Fender has never let me down! From Mexico to America!

[@harounel-poussah6936]

@@7000ironman I was happy twice with my Fender American Standard'88 : the day I bought it since, and it's still the case today, I owned the worst electric guitar I ever touched, an East-German Musima DeLuxe25, the when I sold the Stratoaster... There were Japanese Squiers that sounded better, e.g Steve Rothery's (Marillion)... I've not took a look recently at pricings at artisans luthiers, but I shouldn't have issues at having something made as good as a $10,000+ CSMH if not better for about €1500... But I'm not really interested into getting bolt-on or even setneck constructions for next solid-body guitars or basses, thus, it's clear that a bolt-on with a 90/10 neck is damn good, I think Mary (Spender) can confirm, these are likely what she uses the most...Now they might be approaching Mary as they did with me 15 years ago for endorsement purposes while I was in a Pink Floyd tribute band... but, if you're intellectually honest, there's nothing a Strat can do against... EXCALIBUR !!! They couldn't get a real one for the Wayne's World movie, but Excaliburs are absolutely real... And my ex-Strat was, in some ways, as, if not more customised than Dave Murray's Series-L... So, let's review my ex-Stratoaster: 1.) The planimetrics had to be done because guess what happened past 12th fret??? The fret job had been totally botched! I hope they fired the guy named Jesus Contreras who signed the QC... 2.) Since Strats don't stay in tune and the original trem is made to make you break strings so you buy Fender strings, I didn't went Floyd Rose, I'm not that whammy-bar maniac, so I went for the Wilkinson one, added a rolling nut and Spertzel locking tuners... 3.) Then, the electronics wasn't shielded, I could even receive katsap speaking radios in my guitar amp... Had to shield the cavities... Then, the en-80's pickups were just good at doing funk on posn 2/4... Dave Murray uses 3 double rails humbuckers, I went a bit funny: no issue to PU stuffing with the pool-routing, so I kept de Fender set, added a DiMarzio FS-1 in neck posn, and a HS-3 in bridge... You need to notice that the Fender PUs has such a background noise that if you were using a distortion, the powerful Rocktron Hush had to be put to the max while with the Some cretins DiMarzios, you could keep it to the minimum... 4.) First tendinitis signs came when I was practising the Surfing with the Alien songbook, so I had the Strat for about 18 months+... 5.) Tendinitis disappeared within 1 month after I received the Excalibur #1. 6.) Some cretins believed I had great sound with this guitar... Well, NOPE! I have a distinctive sound in the fingers. In clean sound, I sound too close to Knopfler to my taste, In distortion, I'm somewhere in between Santaana, Fripp and Oldfield, note that I use the violin trick like Fripp and Oldfield, caught it while playing the fretless bass... Then, I also was building my own boutique tube amps and my hybrid Mesa/Marshall really became a signature sound... No secret, better have a bad guitar with fingers that really sound ans a super amp rather than a good guitar with a crap amp...

[@PaulHillGuitarist]

Before my dad unexpectedly passed away, we were designing an electric guitar from scratch. He had made quite a few hand carved archtops over the years and we thought it would be an interesting project to design a solid body electric guitar from scratch with my many years of playing experience. Quite a few body prototypes were roughly carved from cheep wood and quite a bit of thought went into the project. The result... the realisation that Leo Fender had got it 100% correct with his designs all those years ago. Who else has designed such an incredible piece of gear and gets it right first time? Genius.

[@KevinMerinoCreations]

Yet another wonderfully rich history lesson! Your gift of entertainment covers a variety of media types! Thank you for all that you do! 👏👏👏

[@almirsantosmusic]

Of course all videos had an amazing quality, but your audio is perfect! It's lovely to listen you speak so calm, and with any noise and só clean sound. You are not just a great music artist. Also a great video producer! Tks so much for all of this!!

[@mikefetterman6782]

My '99 Mexi-Strat (lefty) has been with me 25 years now through moves, lots of hot and cold, lots of nights in, just "noodling" with it, learning thousands of songs and yet still seemingly playing the same thing, writing songs, thousands of hours of abuse, now, the paint is almost all worn off, the action isn't perfect, I have put 5 springs in the bridge, and always play with 12s. She aint pretty anymore, but it is always hanging right here above my desk for a "quickie". Sure, I have dreamed of Les Pauls, 335s, a nice P-bass, or a another amp other than my Fender Champ 20, and G-Dec (built in drum/backing) practice amps, but my Old beat up black Strat is the true love of my life. (well,.........my 1994 Martin Sigma acoustic and Hofner bass play pretty good too)

[@voodoochild1975az]

Anyone that gets snobby or looking down their nose at a MIM Fender simply reveal their ignorance about guitars. It's not exactly an insider secret, but those that know speak no ill of Ensenada. Pros do not even blink when someone takes a MIM on stage. Any stage. A good Mexi Strat is right at home on stage in front of 50k screaming fans.

[@anorexorc1st]

So set it up. It takes 2 min. Measure and adjust your relief and action. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@ButternoteBackingTracks]

Respect to you to be able to even play a Strat strung with 12s.. 😳😂

[@nickk8416]

@@voodoochild1975az Great comments. Right on. I have a 92 MIM Strat, black with a white pick guard and maple neck. It plays like a dream! I bought it by accident by killing time at a guitar shop. I had no intentions of buying a guitar so I picked it up and it fit my hand and played itself. I had to buy the damn thing! :) So glad I did.

[@TheSavagederek]

My US Standard is 25 this year as well . I bought it early 2000 before I got married . It's hands down , the best guitar I've ever owned , and there has been a good few 😂

[@recumbentrocks2929]

Once again another smooth professional documentary Mary. Fender are not daft, this is such a good advert for them. Fascinating story too.

[@JojoFryrocks]

Fender marketing have been knocking it out of the park for years; putting their weight behind a superb independent artist like Mary is the way to ensure that their guitars get in front of a young, cool audience and not associated with boomers and Dad rock like Gibson are 🧐😎🎸❤️✊🏻

[@Tonetwisters]

My very first guitar was a 1954 Fender Stratocaster. Beat up and worn out, I found it under our Christmas tree in 1963, in place of my dad, who had just been divorced by my mother. I started my stint with Fender around 1960, when my brother bought a Jazzmaster and a PRO amp. I sold Fender in the early '70s ... I've seen a lot of Fenders in my day ... I, TOO, fell in love with the Strat because of Buddy Holly. And your new Stratocaster is quite lovely, as are you. Congratulations.

[@chrisjones6496]

The video with the tour of the Fender Factory was amazing and this was an amazing addition to that one. Thanks Mary for making these as they are timeless… and give us an insight into the instrument that has revolutionized the music we all listen to. Much ❤️ Support & Respect from Toronto, 🇨🇦🌹

[@pdbordelon]

I love her voice.

[@a.m.5805]

and her beauty!

[@pkjmfineart1593]

Doesn't matter what a woman who speaks like that looks like. A soothing, kind, but humble voice indeed. :)

[@iliana_b]

Sunburst finish with maple neck - that’s the most legendary Strat ❤

[@somewaresim]

Love these documentaries. Always really interesting and clearly takes a lot of dedication to make. Impressed by the length of your takes. 😀

[@markanderson5077]

Thanks, Mary. Great rundown of Fender's history. My Strat story: circa 1992, I was playing rhythm guitar in a church band. My guitar was an acoustic. The band leader was a musician and piano player. Most of the music was written for piano in challenging keys for guitar. I had to play barre chords all the time and one day I said enough. On the way home from practice I stopped at a local guitar store and picked out a translucent red American Strat and a Deluxe Reverb Twin 10 tube amp and a new world opened up.

[@southernflight1]

Mary, I love your commentary histories on the Fender guitars!! I could listen to you for hours. You are such a great public speaker. God bless and keep up the good work!!

[@realityboost4405]

Mary, I have one of these rare, 70th Anniversary, 54 Strats… And I truly feel privileged to take care of one…Much love to you. X

[@RByrne]

These aren't rare. They were just released. I got one a couple days ago. It's a great guitar, though.

[@firebir11]

@@RByrne can you tell me which production line these are manufactured on? I have one and I'm very curious. thanks

[@jvin248]

One major difference and advantage Leo had was a sweaty dance bar not too far from his shop where displaced Oklahoma Farmers played all night and were willing to test Leo's prototypes and give him feedback. I am certain those practical farmers suggested the replaceable neck, having had experience with trying to get headstocks and necks from other companies repaired by the local guitar tech and taking days or weeks of backlog. A separate neck with screws made them easily user serviceable.

[@flouisbailey]

Farmers want things to last and be replaced if damaged or repaired.

[@blakerbnsn]

I have watched many a doc on Leo Fender and his history, but heard in your words and voice just makes it better. Thanks Mary!!!

[@clintonroushff7068]

I was thinking the same!

[@LXS-ud6yf]

I'd love to see a video where Ms. Spender takes us on a tour of her entire guitar collection. Giving us the story of each guitar - where she acquired it, what she likes about it and so on. That could be really interesting.

[@mark.guitar]

I have too many guitars - said no guitarist ever...

[@bobcole612]

My greatest fear is that someday my wife will sell my guitars for what I told her I paid for them.

[@arto9775]

I had too many guitars, it is possible. I've it whittled down to 7 now I think and still say that's too many. An electric and an acoustic is all you need, you stop being a guitarist and become a collector at some point. My playing suffered the more guitars I had.

[@woofcity6307]

@@bobcole612haha!!!

[@woofcity6307]

After many years of worrying about this, I finally came up with the idea that to stay motivated interested and inspired. You may need to get a different guitar every three or four years. It doesn’t mean you sell your old ones. It just means you get something with a different scale length a different size a different board radius a different pick up configuration something that just gives you a different feel different. Looking inspires you to kind of play a little differently or write music a little differently. I got into old American Harmony and I have a couple of those and they’re completely different from like my couple of martins so I don’t feel bad about it. I build a couple parts casters. I have some less Paws. I have a couple old vintage guitars a pre-war Gibson I don’t know they’re all very different. I like to rotate through them every month. I’ll pick up a new one and work with that. But I’m pretty serious for 40 years so that’s my opinion.

[@mark.guitar]

@@woofcity6307 I agree with your take on this! I currently have over twenty guitars. However, I am a luthier so the cost of restoring the wrecks that most of them were when I got them (apart from a 1986 Gordon Smith GS2 and a Fender Acoustasonic that I got for my 60th) was minimal!

[@wfhaselbarg]

😍Love your enthusiastism about the guitar and especially the Fender's rich history and ther iconic Stratocaster. About a half year ago your enthusiastism about the Highway series inspired me to buy my own guitar and learn to play the guitar as well. I bought a Fender Stratocaster Ultra Luxe Plasma Red Burst, also with an ash body and am now learning to play the guitar. Thank you for your inspiration!!!!!

[@guitarhans]

Well balanced history lesson. I'm as old (1950) as the Telecaster, played it, but never owned one. But I have my strat.

[@musicman0024]

I love guitar documentaries. Although there are many on you KZbin, I love the personal stories of each musician such as yourself as to what guitar speaks to you the most and why. Love seeing how how Fender is treating you! Congrats the new Strat, happy for you!

[@Alleged_Mercenary]

I love everything Fender, thanks for a great video Mary.🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@ronburati257]

Very nicely done, Mary! Refreshingly smooth and concise hitting on all the relevant points. A+

[@Cencio108]

Possibly my favorite video of yours yet, Mary. Your storytelling thoroughness, liveliness combined with your elegant playful diction and timing are beyond marvellous. And dare I say, I have never heard a Strat played more lovingly and warmly. Brava!

[@BlueandBroke]

Bought the same guitar a while ago and I am heavily impressed. I have two vintage '63 Strats and a partscaster that looks seventies, and who are great. This guitar can stand beside those 3 fabulous guitars.

[@frankdardano3182]

Brings back good memories. I to am a Gibson SG fan, but my first electric was a sunbust strat, in sixth grade,1964. I WILL NEVER FORGET the smell of the case when opened, like a new car smell. Good video,compact,but salient features and history are covered .

[@GratefulHead1969]

Great video Mary! You deserve that Strat! I love single coils too. I have 3 single coil Strats, different colors, all same set up, just different tunings. Cheers!

[@ststclair]

I quite appreciate these history vids that you do.

[@kenster865]

Nice review!! I may pick up a 70th Anniversary Strat just based on your review, Mary. No stranger to Fender guitars, I've been playing Fenders since a young teen in the mid 60's (I'm an old fart of 72 years). I remember going into a small music shop for my first guitar lesson back in 1961. In the window... I remember this distinctly after all these years... a white Stratocaster was prominently displayed. I had no idea what it was at the time but it sure caught my young eyes. Today many, many years later I own several Strat's and Tele's, along with numerous Gibson's and a few others too. I love them all and it saddens me that I won't be able to take them with me when I die... but that's the way it goes. I pray that there are Fender guitars in Heaven, in some format we can't imagine. For a guitarist to think otherwise is unimaginable!!

[@LapsangTe]

It's lovely to see a beautiful guitar that hasn't been reliced. Nowadays you see all these videos where someone builds a beautiful guitar and then relics it so it looks like something that's been run over by a train, and then he sells it for twice the pirce of a nonreliced one.

[@rockerbuck967]

Great documentary and beautiful playing as well, Mary!!

[@pa4tim]

I have mine, same colour, now for 35 years. Bought it new from my first paycheck

[@Dreyno]

I bought a Les Paul with my first (few) paychecks. We’re the same but different 👋

[@jamesjcaseyjr8535]

I'm a Les Paul guy, but I thoroughly enjoyed the video. Mary did a superlative job guiding us through the history and I have more appreciation for the Fender brand that I did previously.

[@harlanthejester]

Really enjoyed this video and nobody deserves that guitar more than you. Keep up the good work...

[@larryvaught3053]

What a Mastermind ! What an incredible video ! What wonderful information ! I love how well you play your new guitar. The Pure Sound is out of this world ! As always, your speaking voice makes these videos such a pleasure to watch and listen to. Simply Brilliant !! ❤😎

[@olearyml57]

Really enjoyed this episode Mary. I own a 1978 black strat...it weighs a ton but sounds great...I will never own another😊

[@VegetableMan1400]

I still have my 1979 Strat that I bought new in ‘81. Also weighs a ton. These days I also have a ‘73 and a ‘98 USA Voodoo but I’ll always keep the ‘79.

[@jamesfestini]

My dad‘s engineering firm was right on Fender Avenue but we never talked about his proximity since he worked in the building next to them through the 70s and 80s. I still live close enough to go by but I haven’t in a very long time. This video was done so well then I’m inspired. I might go this weekend just to see

[@mikebagley3870]

Thank you for this amazing video!

[@billydworrell8259]

I saw your Fender factory tour, it was magical trip and enjoyed it very much. Keep up the great work.

[@bashdachivo]

Nice addition to your Home, I'm from Corona and took a single music lesson along with my sister as a kid at fender. Welcome to my Hometown Mary Thanks for the upload

[@thehonestguitarist6543]

I came here to hear Mary play her new Strat, and stayed for the lecture. Thank you, Professor Mary.

[@Milehousestudios]

I just enjoyed this welcome lesson with morning coffee in the sun and I have to say, it was wonderful. Thank you for the crispy little video Mary. Great start to the day. All the best

[@jeffreydouglass7112]

What a lovely telling of the Fender story. I play a Pawn Shop Jaguarillo, MIM Tele and MIM Strat. I think I’ll play a little longer tonight.

[@MikeM-Colorado]

Well done. I knew most of this info, but the excellent filming, playing, and presentation of the timeline, made this video a pleasure to watch. Super nice, period-correct strat. Congrats on Fender’s acknowledgment of your work!

[@LMacNeill]

Wow, isn't that neat! You got to see this *exact* guitar when it was on the assembly line, and now it's in your hands playing your music! What a special instrument!

[@C_Dana]

As always love Ms Spender's videos, but this one is especially special! Always been a Strat guy and loved Mary's presentation of the early history of the iconic Stratocaster. The trials and tribulations concerning the tremelo bridge aka vibrato tail piece showed that you don't always get it right but perseverance and a lot of seat and tears prevails. Just got a link to Mary's first album and looking forward to getting it in vinyl soon! Beautiful necklace by the way! Almost as beautiful as a '54 Strat!

[@judih.8754]

Mary your documentary videos are top notch. Thanks!

[@mikecrean8849]

Great video Mary. Love strats. Interestingly if you read Hank Marvin’s bio. He reports that Cliff sent off to California for their first strat. When it arrived they were totally knocked out by its beautiful red appearance. However it proved difficult to play. It came fitted with very heavy 13-56 strings and a highish action. Eventually managed to get lighter strings and a better setup. Then went on to feature on many big Cliff and The Shadows hits plus inspiring many of the big name guitarists. Bruce Welch still has this iconic guitar. 🙋‍♂️👏👏🇬🇧

[@Edmond347]

Nice work, Mary. Never saw your channel until this video, but with a voice like this, I'd watch you read a phone book.

[@jjfalstaff]

The best short history of Fender I've ever come across. Well done. And that guitar is beautiful.

[@Laguy211]

Amazing video on Fender's rich history and congrats on the new Fender. ❤❤

[@ImYourOverlord]

The Strat's vibrato system is genius :)

[@yankeexpress]

Like hearing and watching you play your Strat.

[@thedave2429]

Yet another wonderful video from Mary. Love your gear videos, even if this one is basically an ad for Fender. Considering I own a half dozen Fender guitars and a half dozen tee-shirts, hats, etc, this was a truly heartwarming presentation. That 70th Anniversary Strat is a work of art.

[@nickk8416]

Well done and congratulations Mary on your new Strat! It's beautiful. I really enjoyed the video. I've been a Tele, Strat guy for many years ever since Clapton with Derek and the Dominos. I have a '92 Mexican Strat that plays like a dream and love those maple necks. Best Regards!

[@jamesonpace726]

Really nicely done Fender shorty history....

[@TheSurfRyder]

Beautiful guitars. Well done video on a company with such great simple history

[@synthverkstad2093]

Love the storytelling! One of my favourite instruments is my Fender American Performer Bass, you can feel the craftsmanship when playing it.

[@MichaelMuilenburg]

That anniversary model strat suits you well Mary.

[@tonywalkingstick8883]

Absolutely awesomely presented, Mary. I could listen to you describe these topics all day. Lap top steel, a hammer dulcimer, a xylophone, and my native American flute are some of my favorite instruments. Cheers.😊

[@garymcaleer6112]

Beautiful sound intro, Mary. To my ear, the cleaner the sweeter. Great history post too.

[@barnaclerusty]

I love the Fender history, the birth of the So Cal Surf rock scene, and the many innovative artists of that time. Leo nailed it back then, but I like the refinements he made with G&L guitars… the tremolo is rock solid 🥰

[@markmcdonald5711]

Fender is a Corporation, G&L is a guitar company. If you want a handmade Tele or Strat buy a G&L. Made in Fullerton CA. on Fender Ave.

[@sbai4319]

Mary, I have listened to your channel for a long time! Just got my first two Fender Guitars! A Black and White MexicanTelecaster and a White Stratocaster! I couldn’t let both get away from me! Excellent condition. Now to learn! 🇦🇺

[@stevennaismith6289]

I got a 70th anniversary strat yesterday. I love it. What a great guitar.

[@SydneyDrums]

Now that you have the 54 reissue a new video all about Buddy Holly would be fantastic. The guy wrote a truckload of hit songs and died all by the age of 22. Phenomenal

[@voodoochild1975az]

Strat addict here. Look, Iove lots of guitars, but at the end of the day, for my taste in sound and feel ... Nothing beats a good a Strat. Specifically an HSS for me. I've owned MIA and MIM. Loved them all. Funnily enough my favorite is a Mexi I got used for cheap. 2nd fav was an MIA Lonestar.... At 4x the price. Shrug. Good guitar is good guitar. They are ubiquitous. Nearly cliche... But I can't help it. A good Stratocaster scratches the itch better than any other guitar I've played. Ymmv, but for me, guitar design basically peaked 70 years ago when this amazing piece of functional art was unleashed on the world. I am a meat and potatoes guy. If it's going to be one electric, gimme a Strat, HSS preferably. One acoustic? Gimme a Martin. Some classics are classics for damned good reasons. My Strat is easy to play, comically comfortable, sounds incredible (I have swapped pickups), and looks gorgeous... Best of all, I can get 95% of all the electric guitar sounds I love out of this HSS. One guitar, nearly every sound I ever want. And it's my best playing/best action. And it's my prettiest. Everything I could dream of asking a single electric guitar to be, she doesn't just do, but does incredibly well. I simply can't ask more of an electric guitar than she gladly gives me daily with a smile. This is what defines a player's Number One. Mine is a cheap modded MIM Strat. Funny how that works. Shrug. Fwiw, Fender being as cool as they were to you? I have actually had some business to business dealings with FMIC. I actually taught some computer classes at corp hq in AZ and some other dealings. Honest opinion? Easily one of the coolest corporations I have ever dealt with. Everyone I met was cool. Everyone seemed passionate about music. I have nothing but good things to say about them. Never got to tour a factory though....

[@stephenbarnes8817]

I have a 60th anniversary custom shop. They had special pickups that only came in that model, which I love. My go to guitar.

[@johnbruno6868]

Point of trivia: Bill Carson was the name of the dying soldier who informed "Blondie" as to the location of the cache of gold in the movie:"The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly"

[@larrydrozd2740]

I have a 1979 25th anniversary model. Bought it from a friend in 1981. Granted, my 2012 Mexican strat totally outplays it but it was my work horse guitar for the first ten years of my music journey.

[@ThePreciousguitar87]

A very nice retrospektiv video about the man, who brought the sound to us all, that we love so much! From Hank Marvin, Mark Knopfler, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Blackmore; to Yngwie Malmsteen and Eric Johnson! It would not exist without Leo Fender! A true pioneer and inventer! 💎🤘❤

[@TucsonBillD]

I ran across this video shortly after these came out, maybe four months ago. It’s interesting to note that this guitar sells today for almost exactly ten times its original price in 1954. For some cosmic reason I watched it again today which was exactly one day after taking one home. While I’ve owned a number of various incarnations of Strats over the last 40 or so years, and still have four here, this one is definitely the best one I’ve ever owned.

[@TucsonBillD]

Mary, this was a nice succinct report on the history of Fender… speaking of the Broadcaster/Broadkaster kerfukle, I was in a guitar store some years ago and noticed that they had a Gretch Guitar amplifier that Gretch called a “Twin Reverb”. Hmmm… Actually it no longer matters in that Fender now builds Gretch guitars under license from the Fred Gretch Company.

[@davidleinweber]

I love, love my 70th Anniversary Esquire, and it’s a true limited edition. Such a superb instrument - almost a custom shop for all practical purposes. If the 70th Anniversary Stratocaster is as good as the 70th Anniversary Esquire, you definitely have a keeper. The 7.25 radius is also a really nice spec, especially for those of us who want to play actual guitar chords on occasion, lol. Congrats!!!

[@michaelolz]

I never get tired of hearing about the history of Fender.

[@MrPlayerPerson]

Great Video! I own about 10 guitars; the guitar I use most in my band is a Fender Stratocaster. My Fender Strat is a Ferrari Red 2002 Set Neck with Lace Sensor pickups. The guitar is a tank, it has reliable tuning and sounds amazing through my 1998 Fender Vibrolux amp. Although my electric guitar collection includes Gibson, Paul Reed Smith and Aria, the Strat is my go-to guitar, always in tune and ready to whether I'm playing live, in the studio, or songwriting. The 70th-anniversary guitar looks amazing, I am quite happy with my Ferrari Red Strat! Rock on Mary!!!

[@stoneysdead689]

I've played guitar for over 40 years- but I've never been a very wealthy person, always had other priorities- so the nicest guitar I've ever had is my Classic Vibe Squire- and I was playing it through a Headrush MX5 modeler. Well- I finally splurged and got a UAFX Lion 68 and today our bass player brought in his real Strat- which he said was called a Texas something or another- kind of made for that SRV style of blues. Man- I fell in love immediately- like everything just lined up and the guitar melted away and- there it is, all that stuff inside me I'm always trying to pour into my playing- it's just flowing out like water. And there's just enough fight- just enough back pressure from the guitar- to clean everything up- perfect. I finally understand what guitarist mean when they say they like for a guitar to fight them just a little. It keeps you from slurring notes and like over playing- it's hard to explain but- ppl who have experienced it know what I mean. I'm kicking myself now for not making it a priority, for all those times I told ppl how a classic vibe was just as good, blah, blah, blah- it not guys, it's really not. If you ever get your hands on a good Strat that's setup properly and get to play it through some kind of higher end system- whether it's a real tube amp or a really good modeler like the UAFX stuff- you'll hear and feel what I mean. It's guitar heaven. I'm saving my pennies...

[@synonyx]

I recently got one of these 54's and I must say I was rather impressed. I unboxed it on my channel.

[@firebir11]

can you tell me which production line these are manufactured on? I have one and I'm very curious. thanks

[@jasonl1942]

I just got my hands on a near mint early 90s richie sambora USA stratocaster, my holy grail I've been chasing for over thirty years. Of all the struts I own, this one is the prized favourite.

[@wa1ufo]

Leo had a form of innate genius I think. When I hold my candy apple red Precision Bass it integrates with my soul. Fender instruments will last almost forever if they get proper maintenance and care. They are easy to repair and the bolt on neck design makes the most sense. I won't mention that popular guitar from that other company but it can be a nightmare to work on and it has a weakness which was never corrected as far as I know. It is where the neck meets the headstock. Beautiful axe Mary and thanks for the history! 🌝🎵🌈🇺🇸

[@george.vasilev.reyner1916]

As a musician, I always look for inspiration. Videos like this are that inspiration. Love being reminded why i love doing this.

[@visualist6x6]

I recently bought a 70th Anniversary American Vintage II 1954 Stratocaster and LOVE it!

[@michaeleastes1705]

I was given a Fender acoustic/electric bass by a close friend. It’s the fifth bass that I’ve owned, and the tone is the best of them all.

[@thesjkexperience]

I was lucky to meet Leo at the 1987 NAMM show. I thanked him for his influence on how I design things (Im an Artist/Engineer) and the Stratocaster lol. Ive been building my own guitars the last 15 years.

[@Telewest792]

I am fortunate to have bought the 60th anniversary 54 strat which they made 1954 of them it is a great guitar and Mary you did a great job showcasing yours thanks

[@greyseal53]

Mary - very nice! I have a '93 Floyd Rose Strat, an American Std that I've modded with new p'ups and locking tuners, and a Strat Elite in cherry burst that I adore, along with a couple of Teles. Great instruments - you'll enjoy them!

[@ghflcity]

Beautiful guitar, the story was very interesting & I am going to watch a few more times because your playing was so enjoyable.

[@Dragon_rls]

I own several strats, and I have to say, they knocked it out of the park with the player 2. I absolutely love it.

[@geraldponce8336]

Congratulations on your new Strat. Thanks for the history lesson. I still have my 83 telecaster I have been playing since I was 13. Have a few teles and Strats. Including my AVii Blonde 57 strat

[@gabrielperrymusic]

Yeah, Mary! Great video and congrats on receiving that beautiful 70th Anniversary Strat from Fender. How cool is that? Strats are the best.

[@stefanpetersen9249]

Mary , such a great video, keep up your excellent job , your videos are real quality and educational, Greetings from Thailand and thank you 🙏🏻❤

[@beautifuldaymusic]

I really love your videos, they are always so informative!

[@djgraish]

Amazing production value and very informative. Well done Mary!

[@BonzoKilbourn]

Electric guitar is nothing but a fad. It'll never last. Thanks for another great video Mary. Wishing you all the best on the tour. Also if it's not too much trouble can you do a Freebird cover?

[@InventorZahran]

A fad that lasts 70+ years is still just a fad.