An icon in the world of rock ‘n’ roll music, the Fender guitar company has finally opened the doors of its factory, allowing the public to tour the home of the legendary instrument for the first time in its 65-year history, reports the Los Angeles Times.
The visitor center – which opened on Monday (September 19) – features a small museum, an exhibit on company founder Leo Fender, a showroom filled with guitars and other equipment, and even the chance to design a personalized Fender guitar right on the spot.
"As a brand, [Fender] is a part of all of us who are musicians," said CEO Larry Thomas. "It’s a household brand, and there’s not any guitar player – whether they play Fender or another brand – who doesn’t have something special in their heart for Fender."
Visitors can also book a free tour of the Corona, California factory, where they can watch the guitars being assembled. Thomas revealed that it was the detailed handcrafting – and the fact that the guitars were still being made in the U.S. and not overseas – that inspired him to open to factory to the public.