As far back as 1946, when it evolved from the K&F lap-steel/amp company, Fender was aiming products at music students. Prior to the 1950 launch of their game-changing “electric Spanish” guitars, the Esquire and Broadcaster, the firm continued to focus on lap-steel guitars and amps, branding products with aspirational names such as Champion and Princeton. However, by the mid-50s, the solidbody electric guitar had gained traction, with the Telecaster and Stratocaster
