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. Marshall amps have defined the sound of rock for a generation, boasting such notable users as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Ritchie Blackmore, and Jimmy Page. The Stratocaster was first produced in early 1954 by Los Angeles engineer Leo Fender, who had tinkered with improving amplified hollow-body instruments since the 1940s. This model also utilizes the “Delta Tone” system, which includes a high output bridge pickup and special no-load tone control for the middle and bridge pickups. Shown in 2-Color Sunburst. You could say that the vintage-guitar market in the England is similar to that in the States, only smaller. In the time I’ve been selling guitars, values of vintage American makes have risen at a very steady rate. Introduced in 1954 and now recognized as the best electric guitar ever designed, Leo Fender's Stratocaster is one of the 20th century's most influential inventions. Great guitars new and used Gibson, Fender, Ovation, Gretsch and Rickenbacker available via the website. No one changed the sound of guitar music more than Leo Fender. 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. Guide Guitar Price Vintage.