This is Oda!
Lately, I’ve been posting fun facts about electric guitars on X (Twitter) almost every day!
Since I’m limited to a certain number of characters on X, I’d like to use this update to share even more detailed tidbits!
Knowing these things won’t necessarily make you a better guitarist, but I’d be happy if they just made you go, “Oh, really?”
(Though, knowing more about the guitar = liking it more = practicing more = you might actually get better at playing. Haha.)
I’m writing these while thinking “Huh, that’s interesting” myself, so let’s say “Huh, that’s interesting” together!!
First up is some trivia about Fender.
I’ll mainly be focusing on Stratocasters from various eras.
This time, we’ll cover “logos,” “inlays,” “binding,” and “tuners”!
I’ve been focusing on them in order starting from the headstock, but I didn’t even make it to the body this time!! We’ve got a long way to go!!
Spaghetti Logo
To identify a guitar’s manufacturer, the first thing you look at is the logo on the headstock, right?
You can often determine the era based on the various manufacturers and how their logos have evolved over time.
Take Fender’s original logo, for example: the “Spaghetti Logo” (commonly known as the “Spa-Logo”), used from the ’50s through ’64, is characterized by its thin, spaghetti-like lettering.
Even among Spalogos, there are variations—such as the presence of a patent number (the sequence of numbers below the logo; these are actually patent numbers).
While models from the ’70s are now considered vintage, back in the day, “vintage Fender” was synonymous with the Spalogo.
For example, even current Fender models are listed as “XX Year Model,” and they feature the logo specific to that era!
The photo shows a 1992 Fender USA American Vintage 1957 Stratocaster!
Transition Logo
When people talk about the Fender “Tora Logo,” they’re referring to the Transition Logo!
People often use the word “traditional” when referring to “Tra,” so it’s easy to get confused, but “Transition” actually means “transitional period”! (I used to get that wrong myself.)
The "Tra-Logo" began replacing the Spaghetti Logo in the mid-’60s, though the timing of the change varies by model.
The Jazz Bass adopted it in 1961 (right from the start of production!), the Precision Bass in mid-1964, the Stratocaster in late 1964, and the Telecaster in early 1966—so the timing varies, which really gives it that “transitional period” feel, doesn’t it?
Compared to the Spaghetti logo, the lettering is bolder and more striking!
The photo shows a ’66 Stratocaster.
CBS Logo
In 1965, Fender was acquired by CBS, marking a turning point for the company.
There were various specification changes across different models, and the logo was one of them.
It’s commonly called the CBS logo, but it’s also known as the Black Logo or the Modern Logo!
The black lettering with a gold outline really improves visibility, doesn’t it? 👀
The photo shows a ’74 Stratocaster.
Clay Dots
On vintage Fender guitars, there are two types of dot position markers on rosewood fingerboards.
One is the clay dot, and the other is the pearloid dot.
Clay dots have a matte, slightly brownish, clay-like color!
The photo shows clay dots. One of their distinctive features is that the width of the 12th-fret position mark became narrower starting around 1963. (Stratocaster, Telecaster)
Parloid Dots
Around 1965, the Stratocaster switched from clay dots to pearloid dots for its fret markers.
Compared to Clay Dots, they have a translucent quality and appear whiter.
By the way, “Parloid” is a synthetic material designed to mimic the appearance of pearl.
Parloid is also used for pickguards, and it’s used for inlays and other decorative elements not only by Fender but also by Gibson.
Block Inlays
After being acquired by CBS, Fender reached a turning point around 1965, with changes made to specifications such as the logo and inlays.
Block inlays began to be used on the Jazzmaster, Jaguar, and Jazz Bass starting in 1966, and were also featured on rare models such as the Coronado and Bass VI!
The photo shows a ’66 Jazzmaster!
Neck Binding
From 1965 to 1966, marking the beginning of the Fender CBS era, binding was added to the neck side, and the position marks gradually shifted from dot inlays to block inlays.
Incidentally, the Jazzmaster, Jaguar, and Jazz Bass all followed the same evolution!
During this period—particularly in late ’65 and mid-’66—the visual changes were quite noticeable, and it’s fascinating how specifications could vary even among models from the same year.
Kluson Tuners
Fender guitars manufactured before 1967 used tuners made by Kluson.
While the structural design of Kluson tuners remained largely unchanged over the years, their appearance evolved slightly.
The difference lies in the lettering for “KLUSON DELUXE”!
① No lettering (1954–1956)
② Single line (1957–1963)
③ Double line (1964–1967).
*The years in parentheses refer to Stratocasters.
Each version comes with either chrome knobs or white knobs.
White knobs are used on the Duo-Sonic, Musicmaster, Mustang, and Swinger models!
The photo shows the tuning pegs from a ’57 Music Master and a ’65 Stratocaster!
F-Key
During the CBS era, Fender developed its own tuners, known as “F-Keys,” completely replacing the Kluson tuners that had been used up until then.
The F-Key features six tuners of the same design; by simply swapping the covers, they can be easily configured for right- or left-handed use. While Kluson tuners required machining the baseplate during installation, the F-Key eliminated this need, demonstrating a significant improvement in efficiency.
There are three distinct types of F-Keys.
① The early model, manufactured by Reese & Omsted. The tuning knobs are slightly rounded, and the shafts are chrome-plated.
② The second version from the early 1970s. The knobs are slightly more angular than the early model, and the shafts were changed to nickel.
③ The Schaller version, which began to be adopted in the late ’70s. All exposed parts are now chrome-plated.
The photo shows a 1977 Mustang!
By the way!
Since Kluson’s Deluxe tuners weren’t originally designed for Fender’s six-on-one configuration, it appears that Fender would purchase the pegs from Kluson and then trim the base plates to fit before installing them.
There are also accounts stating that one of the first projects Fender undertook after being acquired by CBS was the development of the F key, so it’s clear they were striving to improve efficiency as a company through their products.
Except for the top plate for the 1st string and the bottom plate for the 6th string, they used a method where they cut away the adjacent Bass plates at the center of the screw holes.
↑This is the base plate that was cut and modified (the photo shows a recent Gibson model)
↓This!
What did you think?
It turned out to be quite a long post, but thank you for reading all the way to the end.
I post daily on X (Twitter), so please follow me! ♪
See you next time—let’s say “Wow!” together!
Oda