Welcome…
2020 may just be a new golden age for Fender. Despite the effects of Covid-19 on the world economy, company CEO Andy Mooney recently reported that this year will represent the “biggest year of sales volume in Fender history”. Maybe guitarists are seeking six-string retail therapy during the pandemic; or perhaps new players have found new musical pastimes. Whatever the reason, Fender’s guitars and amps seems to be connecting with vintage purists and newcomers alike. Is there a Fender for every guitarist? Well, perhaps not quite, but add Fender-owned Jackson, EVH and Gretsch into the equation and the company is covering most bases.
Of course, countless icons have played Fenders over the years and they need no introduction, but the company has an eye on the future with its Fender Next artist development programme. This month we caught up with several acts backed by the Big F: IDLES, girl in red, Black Pumas, Yola, Ashley Mcbryde and Fontaines D.C. all talk gear, tone and songwriting.
Elsewhere, we speak with surely the hardest-working, Strat-wielding man in modern funk, Cory Wong, who takes us through his guitar highlights of the five (yes, five!) albums he’s released in the last 12 months. And it wouldn’t be TG without a raft of guitar lessons for you to get your teeth into. Songs by Sam Fender and Dire Straits continue the Fender theme, and we’ve produced a seven-page lesson profiling the styles of over 20 Fender icons.
Finally, make sure to come back next month when we’ll be reviewing the very guitar you see on the cover – Squier’s super-cool offset, the Paranormal Super-sonic. Enjoy the issue!