Fender Guitar Factory Tour

The other day I took the opportunity to tour the Fender Guitar Factory in Corona, CA.  Growing up in Fullerton, CA Fender guitars are a thing of legend.  The greatest players ever from Eric Clapton to James Burton rely on Fender Guitars to create signature music that stands the test of time.  Fender Guitar grew out of a small radio repair shop in 1950's Fullerton before being being sold to CBS music in the early 60's and bouncing around a few So Cal locations eventually setting up shop in its present home of Corona, CA.  Corona is home to the world famous Fender Custom Shop and newly opened Fender Visitor Center.  There you can join factory tours, experience the Custom Shop and visualize the history that created the largest music manufacturing company in the world.  Fender Corona produces 500 guitars a day while still nurturing the craft of creating one guitar at a time. 

Much of Fender's history is preserved in the Custom Shop where half a century year old practices are still created daily.  The best Fender Guitar Pickups are "Hand Wound" one at a time by Abigail Ybarra who has been building them since the early 50's.  We met her on our tour and she hand signs every pickup she creates.

Here are a rack of Custom Guitars waiting to be completed by Fender Master Builders.

In the Visitor Center you can create the guitar of your dreams and learn as much as you want about Fender Guitar's fabulous history.  Call ahead to make a reservation for your tour, I guarantee you will have a personal connection to Fender Guitars the next time you see one being played!

Healthy Gut Buster: Drink two glasses of water before you sit down to a meal to help fill your stomach and assist in portion control!
(I am trying to get healthier in my old age, and will share a quick & easy tip with you at the end of every post)!