Fender Factory Tours?

Del Pickup · April 27th, 2008, 05:37 PM

My wife and I have finally got round to discussing the possibility of us taking one of my 'once in a lifetime' dream trips - hiring a motor home and travelling around the US for a couple of months.

From New Zealand, the easiest starting/end point for the trip is LA and it occurred to me that one of the things I would like to do would be to go round the Fender factory if they do tours of the complex. But I can't find any info on the Fender site relating to this.

Does anyone know if they do have organised tours? Also, if I were to order a Masterbuilt instrument in plenty time ahead of when we take the trip would it be possible to collect it from the Custom Shop and meet the builder?

Del Pickup · April 28th, 2008, 07:51 PM

Anyone got any info?

tomi · April 28th, 2008, 08:01 PM

Unfortunately, I don't think Fender offers tours. I've read that they occasionally do special ones for music wholesalers, etc., but not for the public.

vanrrice · April 28th, 2008, 11:43 PM

I am also pretty sure they don't offer a tour. I have been to the Fender musium in Corona, Ca. I grew up in Riverside which is the next town over.

The musium was very cool, but all about Stratocasters when I was there in '04. They had probably 200 strats and 15 telecasters.

Some very cool and historic stuff, but light on the teles.

I think G & L in Fullerton, Ca. offers tours - Fullerton is probably 20 miles west of Corona on the 91 freeway.

Good luck!

Telenator · April 29th, 2008, 08:22 AM

The unofficial word is that, if you show up there and ask nicely, someone will usually take the time to show you around. Fender will neither confirm nor deny this but experience tells me it's a pretty safe bet to go there. And if anyone quotes me on this I'll deny it to the end!!!

TDPRI · April 29th, 2008, 08:38 AM

It sounds like a lovely idea to rent an RV and drive around for a couple of months but the cost is going to be astronomical. 8 years ago we rented a small RV for a long weekend and only went 150 miles and the cost was $900.

It was a small RV (class c) and they charged $125 a day plus $.45 per mile. Maybe longer term rentals cost less. But if there is much mileage charge the US is so large you're talking big bucks.

You'd be better off buying a used RV when you get here and selling it before you leave. But, that would be a huge hassle I realize. Renting would probably cost more than buying a decent used small RV.

Del Pickup · April 29th, 2008, 04:27 PM

I know it's not a cheap way to have a holiday - we've done the basic sums already and the bank account will take a major hit!! But it's something I've wanted to do for many years and the US is such a huge country that to go there and only tour a small area seems a bit pointless cos the cost of getting there is pretty huge from New Zealand so we reckon that if we do it then we've got to plan carefully and make the most of it.

It's a bit disappointing that Fender don't have official tours of the factory but maybe if I was to be collecting a Custom Shop built instrument from them there then I might be able to swing it as telenator has hinted at!!

Let's be honest - if we're spending as much money on the holiday as seems to be necessary then another few thousand on a dream guitar isn't going to add too much to the overall cost!!

That makes me sound like a real spendaholic - I'm not, I'm Scottish so I use my money wisely (as I see it anyway!!)

ThreePlyGuy · April 29th, 2008, 05:55 PM

The tiny museum in downtown Fullerton has a permanent exhibition of early Fender memorabilia. As members, we attended a couple of years ago when Phylis Fender dedicated and Deke Dickerson performed on his '53 Tele. Fullerton is nice University town, my daughter is at Cal State with resteraunts and a dozen or so clubs in the area around the school and the museum.

vintage52 · April 29th, 2008, 08:25 PM

Why hit up Direct Imports and ask them to introduce you.

Surely the guys here should have enough contacts to get you in and if they sell it properly....I would like to consider your chances favourable.

Funnily enough, I've been thinking the same thing. Turning 40 this year and have seriously considered making the Fender visit one of my goals.

Hope you get there....if you do and I don't...I expect piccies.....lots and lots of piccies.

Del Pickup · April 30th, 2008, 03:54 AM

Yes, I'd thought of trying that, using contacts in some of the local shops to see if that would ease the way. But it's early days yet and we're nowhere ready to start the detailed planning yet. I should ask around when I'm next in any of the Wellington or Lower Hutt shops.

But as I'm definitely going to use the opportunity of the trip to buy another guitar anyway it would be nice to be able to collect it direct from the Custom Shop if I decide to go down that route (I really fancy a thin skin 3 tone S/B double bound tele body with a maple strat neck, 6105 frets, 9.5in radius and some additional wiring options rather than just a 3 way switch! Bit of a Blind Faith tele/strat hybrid with some extras, I suppose).

But then again, I could be swayed by hanging on and just seeing what might catch my eye when I'm going round stores in the US. There just seems to be so much more choice and the prices are so much better over there.

I've got plenty time to decide as it'll be next year anyway before we're able to do this trip.

Are you the same vintage 52 as on Trade Me, by any chance??

CharlieO · April 30th, 2008, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDPRI

It sounds like a lovely idea to rent an RV and drive around for a couple of months but the cost is going to be astronomical. 8 years ago we rented a small RV for a long weekend and only went 150 miles and the cost was $900.

You'd be better off buying a used RV when you get here and selling it before you leave. But, that would be a huge hassle I realize. Renting would probably cost more than buying a decent used small RV.

I agree with Paul's comments. but I would also like to add another suggestion. You'd be better off renting a car than an RV. The savings in rental and fuel cost would probably pay for a decent motel room every night, and you'd have the option of camping occasionally if that appeals to you. Driving an RV requires more advance planning than staying in motels, unless you are happy staying overnight in Wal-Mart parking lots. With a car, you'll have less hassle in city traffic and parking lots. If you rent a convertible, the drive will be more enjoyable and you can work on your suntan.

Bring a laptop computer along for the trip. You'll use it a lot, for making online motel reservations and researching various destinations.

Del Pickup · April 30th, 2008, 07:59 AM

We had thought of the cost aspect of the motor home but came to the conclusion that, with 4 adults and 2 teenage boys - we've been talking about going with some close friends - it would be cheaper than motels for everyone and give a bit more flexibility.

But the idea of taking a laptop is certainly a good one.

vintage52 · April 30th, 2008, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Del Pickup

Are you the same vintage 52 as on Trade Me, by any chance??

Yeah, that's me.

Like the sound of the hybrid.

April 27th, 2008, 05:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
Del Pickup Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 210 5 Photos	Fender Factory Tours? My wife and I have finally got round to discussing the possibility of us taking one of my 'once in a lifetime' dream trips - hiring a motor home and travelling around the US for a couple of months. From New Zealand, the easiest starting/end point for the trip is LA and it occurred to me that one of the things I would like to do would be to go round the Fender factory if they do tours of the complex. But I can't find any info on the Fender site relating to this. Does anyone know if they do have organised tours? Also, if I were to order a Masterbuilt instrument in plenty time ahead of when we take the trip would it be possible to collect it from the Custom Shop and meet the builder?

April 28th, 2008, 11:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
vanrrice Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Plano, Texas Posts: 149 6 Photos	I am also pretty sure they don't offer a tour. I have been to the Fender musium in Corona, Ca. I grew up in Riverside which is the next town over. The musium was very cool, but all about Stratocasters when I was there in '04. They had probably 200 strats and 15 telecasters. Some very cool and historic stuff, but light on the teles. I think G & L in Fullerton, Ca. offers tours - Fullerton is probably 20 miles west of Corona on the 91 freeway. Good luck! __________________ “My mind is aglow with whirling, transient nodes of thought careening through a cosmic vapor of invention” Buttterscotch Blonde Partscaster, Mahogay Partscaster, Gooddall Concert Jumbo MhCJc, Larrivee OM-02

April 29th, 2008, 08:22 AM	#5 (permalink)
Telenator Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 4,174	The unofficial word is that, if you show up there and ask nicely, someone will usually take the time to show you around. Fender will neither confirm nor deny this but experience tells me it's a pretty safe bet to go there. And if anyone quotes me on this I'll deny it to the end!!! __________________ Dogs have the right idea!

April 29th, 2008, 05:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
ThreePlyGuy Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Southern California/Arizona Age: 59 Posts: 302	The tiny museum in downtown Fullerton has a permanent exhibition of early Fender memorabilia. As members, we attended a couple of years ago when Phylis Fender dedicated and Deke Dickerson performed on his '53 Tele. Fullerton is nice University town, my daughter is at Cal State with resteraunts and a dozen or so clubs in the area around the school and the museum. __________________ Good luck with your projects!

April 29th, 2008, 08:25 PM	#9 (permalink)
vintage52 Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2003 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Age: 40 Posts: 258	As a thought.... Why hit up Direct Imports and ask them to introduce you. Surely the guys here should have enough contacts to get you in and if they sell it properly....I would like to consider your chances favourable. Funnily enough, I've been thinking the same thing. Turning 40 this year and have seriously considered making the Fender visit one of my goals. Hope you get there....if you do and I don't...I expect piccies.....lots and lots of piccies.

April 28th, 2008, 07:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
Del Pickup Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 210 5 Photos	Anyone got any info?

April 28th, 2008, 08:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
tomi Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 353	Unfortunately, I don't think Fender offers tours. I've read that they occasionally do special ones for music wholesalers, etc., but not for the public.

April 29th, 2008, 08:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
TDPRI Administrator Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: TDPRILAND Posts: 4,922 36 Photos	It sounds like a lovely idea to rent an RV and drive around for a couple of months but the cost is going to be astronomical. 8 years ago we rented a small RV for a long weekend and only went 150 miles and the cost was $900. It was a small RV (class c) and they charged $125 a day plus $.45 per mile. Maybe longer term rentals cost less. But if there is much mileage charge the US is so large you're talking big bucks. You'd be better off buying a used RV when you get here and selling it before you leave. But, that would be a huge hassle I realize. Renting would probably cost more than buying a decent used small RV.

April 29th, 2008, 04:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
Del Pickup Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 210 5 Photos	I know it's not a cheap way to have a holiday - we've done the basic sums already and the bank account will take a major hit!! But it's something I've wanted to do for many years and the US is such a huge country that to go there and only tour a small area seems a bit pointless cos the cost of getting there is pretty huge from New Zealand so we reckon that if we do it then we've got to plan carefully and make the most of it. It's a bit disappointing that Fender don't have official tours of the factory but maybe if I was to be collecting a Custom Shop built instrument from them there then I might be able to swing it as telenator has hinted at!! Let's be honest - if we're spending as much money on the holiday as seems to be necessary then another few thousand on a dream guitar isn't going to add too much to the overall cost!! That makes me sound like a real spendaholic - I'm not, I'm Scottish so I use my money wisely (as I see it anyway!!)

April 30th, 2008, 03:54 AM	#10 (permalink)
Del Pickup Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 210 5 Photos	Yes, I'd thought of trying that, using contacts in some of the local shops to see if that would ease the way. But it's early days yet and we're nowhere ready to start the detailed planning yet. I should ask around when I'm next in any of the Wellington or Lower Hutt shops. But as I'm definitely going to use the opportunity of the trip to buy another guitar anyway it would be nice to be able to collect it direct from the Custom Shop if I decide to go down that route (I really fancy a thin skin 3 tone S/B double bound tele body with a maple strat neck, 6105 frets, 9.5in radius and some additional wiring options rather than just a 3 way switch! Bit of a Blind Faith tele/strat hybrid with some extras, I suppose). But then again, I could be swayed by hanging on and just seeing what might catch my eye when I'm going round stores in the US. There just seems to be so much more choice and the prices are so much better over there. I've got plenty time to decide as it'll be next year anyway before we're able to do this trip. Are you the same vintage 52 as on Trade Me, by any chance??

April 30th, 2008, 07:59 AM	#12 (permalink)
Del Pickup Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 210 5 Photos	We had thought of the cost aspect of the motor home but came to the conclusion that, with 4 adults and 2 teenage boys - we've been talking about going with some close friends - it would be cheaper than motels for everyone and give a bit more flexibility. But the idea of taking a laptop is certainly a good one.