You don’t mess with an icon. It was half a century ago that the curvaceous instrument, recently named by What Guitar? magazine as the world's greatest electric guitar, debuted in a career that would change the sound of music forever. In the pages of Fender: The Sound Heard 'Round the World, you will watch this complex, dedicated man gain success as a true innovator of the new. You will also follow the team of energetic, creative people who steered Fender to fame, men like Don Randall of Fender Sales, Forrest White and George Fullerton of Fender Electric Instruments, and Dale Hyatt and Tommy Walker, two of Randall's growing cadre of savvy, high-powered salesmen spreading Leo's ideas worldwide. All information is based on Gibson's own documents and literature. * The different stages of evolution of the electric guitar, with detailed speci fications of all models introduced up to 1961. For the Gibson lovers, I'd consider a '54 to '56 Les Paul Gold Top (I think you might be lucky to pick up a '57) or a Custom. If you have $5,000 or $6,000 left, then a good Fender Tweed Bassman or Twin would fit the bill nicely. A catholic choice, I know, but these guitars have consistently been in demand, and I see no change to this in the near or far-off future. J.W. Black was a leading guitar repairman in New York City at the time. He recalled: “In the early ’80s, Fender was pretty much off the radar as far as my clients and players were concerned, at least in New York. Always in demand, the Strat has to be one of the most popular collectors' items. When I started, even though it was still a relatively expensive guitar, it was still within the price range of most collectors and/or players who were looking for something to keep into their old age. Classical Guitar Sales.