Leo Fender and "Quality"

Roy Ayres · From: Riverview, Florida, USA, R.I.P.

In a recent thread started by Andy Alford captioned “Fender Hawaiian Guitars” Andy Volk spoke of Leo Fender’s penchant for quality. It reminded me of an incident that happened just before I went to work for Fender in the 60’s. The story was told as the truth – although I can’t personally confirm its validity. Maybe Jody Carver can add something.

Leo was having a new house built, and often sent people who worked for the company out to work on it. That wouldn’t be possible in today’s world, but there’s nothing wrong with having your company employees work on your personal property when you own the company.

The concrete slab had been poured, but Leo didn’t want to have to walk on carpet underlain with concrete, so he wanted plywood attached to the concrete. He sent Ray Renfro, head of the Finish Department, out to install the plywood. He told Ray to anchor the plywood down with a lag screw every four inches. When Ray got the job finished, he called Leo out to inspect and approve it. When Leo saw it he became upset with Ray, saying, “I told you to put a lag screw every four inches.” Ray responded, “I did.” Leo said, “Yes, but you only put them around the edges of the sheets; I want them four inches apart over the entire sheets.”

So, was he quality conscious – or what?

Ken Lang · From: Simi Valley, Ca

I have the utmost respect for Leo Fender, but in this case it's called a failure to communicate.

Giving incomple instructions and expecting someone to know what you mean is a formula for failure. To a degree, so is not asking the right questions to learn what is expected.

Sorry, I can't see this as an example of being quality conscious. Quality means an explicit goal set forth in terms all can understand.

However, it is obvious in all the fender equipment I have owned over the years, he had no problem explaining what he expected from his instruments.

The best.

Tom Olson · From: Spokane, WA

It seems to me that putting lag screws in the middle of the sheets is not necessarily overly quality conscious, although maybe every four inches could be considered a bit over-board.

If you put the lag screws only around the outside of the sheets, then when you walk on the floor, the middle of the sheet is going to flex down against the concrete and it's going to feel, look, and sound like crap.

In other words, I would consider doing what Leo wanted to do as doing the job in a normal workman-like manner. Putting the screws only around the outside of the sheet would be (in my opinion) sub-standard quality of work.

Jim Smith · From: Midlothian, TX, USA

The last time I helped lay plywood over a subfloor, which was probably 40 years ago, I was told to put screw nails every 4" on a 4" grid. Maybe that was/is the standard way to do it.

D Schubert · From: Columbia, MO, USA

I heard that Leo used to test Telecaster neck blanks by placing the ends on two concrete blocks and walking across them. If the wood snapped, it wasn't good enough for one of his guitars. This is a pretty tough test for a little ol' piece of maple. It's also another indicator of Leo's practical approach to quality.

Roy Ayres · From: Riverview, Florida, USA, R.I.P.

The story about Leo’s method of testing neck blanks is true. There was a man responsible for checking the maple 2 x 4’s who was a huge guy – probably weighed at least 250 pounds. He would lay the ends of a board on two blocks and jump up on the board. The board didn’t have to break to be rejected; if it made a cracking noise it was history.

Jody Carver · From: KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED

Roy
That chubby guy weighed a bit more tham 250 lbs,I know he stepped on my foot one time years ago.

I heard that story about Ray working on Leo's house.

Here's one for you guys. When Leo started up MusicMan,he asked Forrest White to set up the employee's cafeteria with tables and benches,this was common during the Fender days,so Forrest went to a resturant supply outfit and ordered benches and tables etc,the same type they use in diners.

In comes the delivery of the furniture,the delivery man says OK,where do you want this setup??

Out comes Leo and says,,"what in sam hill is this??" the guy says,I have to get a check before I empty the truck.

Leo by this time asks me,Hey Jody did you see Forrest? I said yeah Leo,he went over to the sales office (a few blocks away from Leo's faclility of CLF research)Leo tells the driver,take that back,it aint coming in here.

I ran down to the sales office and told Forrest Leo wanted him,he says what for? I said well that furniture you ordered in on the way back to the place it came from.

So this is what Leo did. He had some of the fellows along with himself make up benches and tables with "lock jointed" tables and benches and to add to that,he has the MusicMan logo engraved in the benches and tables.

He then said to me,dad gum,ya just have ta do every dern thing yerself around here.And
with that familiar Leo smile said to me,,c'mon Jody,,set your self down on some real furniture. Poor Forrest just stood there and shook his head in disbelief and laughed and said,well thats Leo.

All the furniture was made of 1 inch Marine
plywood and finished just as shiny as those Music Man guitars and basses.

I know,,I had one of the benches shipped to my home after Musicman was sold to Ernie Ball,Leo wanted me to have it.

Its here in my family room.

true story.

Hey,I'm giving away my stories here and I need to write a book."

you guys dont mind if I add my signature copyright to this do ya? I learned from Leo

ya dont take the biscuits out of the oven till their done

"quote Leo Fender

There will NEVER BE ANOTHER LIKE LEO FENDER.
edited to tell you,,,that heavy boy weighed
over 325 lbs and thats no bull but he weighed as much as one. A Brama Bull.

[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 21 February 2003 at 11:12 PM.]

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