Fender Lead Series
The Fender Lead Series is electric guitar models of the Fender company. They were designed primarily for use by beginners and novices.
History
The electric guitar models Fender Lead I and Lead II were introduced in 1979 as an inexpensive entry-level models in order, its time to replace the Bronco, Mustang and Musicmaster the cheapest models in the Fender price list. At least the Mustang remained for some time still on offer. Although planned for beginners, the lead was certainly not a low price model. The guitars cost when it was introduced in the Federal Republic between 850, - and 900, - DM (including guitar case ). A Stratocaster was then for about 1.300, - to 1.400, - to have DM. As cheap and quality Japanese guitars at that time for about 500, - to 700 - DM were available, the sales of lead models was limited. With the introduction of the Fender Squier own models made in Japan in 1982 ended the production of lead series.
Construction
The guitars were burgundy in color (transparent ) and black available, each with one-piece maple neck or rosewood fingerboard. Fender typically passed the opaque painted models made of alder wood, which are provided with transparent finish guitars from Ash ( "heavy northern ash" ). The strings were pulled from the cabinet rear side through the body and fastened with insert sleeves. A tremolo was not on offer. With the Lead Series Fender first time since 1965, returned back to the narrow headstock.
While the lead was I equipped with a humbucking pick-up, which lead II had two single-coil pickups. It includes a three -way switch that individually the two coils of the pickup or left turn together, the Lead I with an additional button for switching possessed serial to parallel operation of both coils. The Lead II had except the three-way switch has a phase reverse switch ( phase reversal switch). The two additional switches generated, a somewhat thinner, height richer sound.
Further developments
In 1981, Fender Lead III as another model on the market. She had two humbucking pick ups and possessed in addition to the usual three -way switch with a coil selector switch, with which the respective front coil of each humbucker left off. In the middle position neither of the two coils is switched off, ie both pickups worked as a humbucker in series operation. This circuit allowed at least seven different sound settings. During this period, the color palette to the sounds became white, cherry sunburst and sienna sunburst expanded while wine red disappeared from the list. The guitars were also offered with a white pickguard and corresponding pickup covers. By the way: also a lead bass was planned. Equipped with two single-coil pickups - long scale- model, however, never made it into production.
Special
A widespread " disease " of the early lead models were extensive paint damage, which often einstellten after just a few months. This was due to attempts by the manufacturer with novel coatings may also use poorly deposited wood. Frequently showed very soon extensive cracks on the body, which eventually led to a blue- gray discoloration. For this reason, many cars Lead models are available today in the unpainted state in a so-called " Natural Finish ".
The lead in music
As a beginner or middle price range model, the lead never reached the recognition by professional guitarists like the Stratocaster or Telecaster. Among the musicians who travel regularly or at least occasionally publicly played the lead belonged Moon Martin, Elliot Easton ( The Cars ), Steve Morse ( Dixie Dreggs, later, Deep Purple ) and Bono of U2.