
In 1950 and 1951, electronics and instrument amplifier maker Leo Fender through his company, designed the first commercially successful solid-body electric guitar with a single magnetic pickup, which was initially named the “Esquire”. The two-pickup version of the Esquire was called the “Broadcaster”. The bolt-on neck was consistent with Leo Fender’s belief that the instrument design should be modular to allow cost-effective and consistent manufacture and assembly, as well as simple repair or replacement.
In 1954, Fender introduced the Fender Stratocaster, or “Strat”. It was positioned as a deluxe model and offered various product improvements and innovations over the Telecaster. These innovations included an ash or alder double-cutaway body design for badge assembly with an integrated vibrato mechanism (called a synchronized tremolo by Fender, thus beginning a confusion of the terms that still continues), three single-coil pickups, and body comfort contours. Leo Fender is also credited with developing the first commercially-successful electric bass called the Fender Precision Bass, introduced in 1951.
| | Fender American Vintage 57 Reissue Stratocaster 1957 RI Strat 50th Ann Mary Kay $1,599.99 |
| | ’07 FENDER Closet Clasic 50th George Fullerton 1957 STRATOCASTER 316121406 $6,179.99 |
| | VINTAGE 1957 CTS FENDER STRATOCASTER GUITAR POTS 250K 50′S TELECASTER TONE VOL $99.00 |



