Press Release
Source: Fender Musical Instruments Corporation
George Blanda, one of the original Fender Custom Shop founding members, is set to retire from Fender on Friday, April 3, 2020. – Photo courtesy of FMIC.
Today we would like to share with you that George Blanda, one of the original Fender Custom Shop founding members and most currently Chief Design Engineer for guitars, is officially retiring on April 3, 2020 after a remarkable career with the company spanning 35 years.
“It’s hard to believe how much time has gone by,” said George Blanda. “I’m going to miss the people the most, but I’m grateful to take all the memories with me.”
Blanda joined Fender in 1985 as Senior Design Engineer in the newly created Fender Custom Shop. He was initially tasked with making artist signature models, but less than a year in, his role changed to meet a growing demand for U.S.-made products.
George was recruited by then Director of Marketing, Dan Smith, a pivotal figure in Fender history who was tasked with overhauling Fender’s ailing product line after years of decline under CBS.
Throughout his 35 years, Blanda worked on a variety of different projects. He began making artist signature models but pivoted to meet a growing demand for U.S.-made products.
Enter the American Standard series, Blanda’s first gargantuan project – and one of the most significant launches in all Fender history – was working alongside Smith on the introduction of that line. The American Standard series single-handedly helped restore quality, performance, value, and credibility to the Fender name at a time when the brand was in dire need of being revitalized.
Blanda never lost his passion for artist signature models, spearheading the Yngwie Malmsteen, James Burton, Muddy Water and Jimi Hendrix models along with the Eric Clapton relationship from the start.
From left to right, then-Senior Design Engineer, George Blanda; early Fender innovator, Freddie Tavares; and then-Senior Design Engineer, John Page, circa 1985. – Photo courtesy of FMIC.
“Fender’s Custom Shop has earned the title ‘Dream Factory,’ and for 35 years, George Blanda has made the dreams of thousands of players come true,” said Fender CEO Andy Mooney. “We will miss seeing George in Corona every day, but George’s legacy at Fender will last forever. I wish George the very best for his retirement and want to thank him for the enormous contribution he has made to Fender.”
Throughout his tenure, he worked with Fender legends including Bill Schultz, Dan Smith, Bill Carson, Freddy Tavares, and countless others.
He worked under five CEOs, including Schultz, Bill Mendello, Larry Thomas, Scott Gilbertson, and Andy Mooney.
He worked in three Fender locations, including Brea, and two of our locations in Corona.
And he touched hundreds of thousands of lives – both inside and outside of Fender.
We thank and celebrate George Blanda as he begins an exciting new chapter in his life!
Cross-functional team dubbed the Synergy Group, featuring employees from Marketing, Sales, Artist Relations, R&D, and Custom Shop. Left to right, top row: Larry Brooks, Custom Shop Artist Builder; Mark Wittenberg, Artist Relations; Bruce Bolen, QA, former VP of Gibson R&D, Gibson Marketing, Gibson Artist Relations, Gibson Custom Shop; Dan Smith, VP of Marketing (then, later VP of R&D); John Page, VP Custom Shop; Jay Black, Master Builder; Fred Stuart, Master Builder. Bottom row; Yasuhico Iwanade, Master Builder and Author; Jack Shelton, VP Sales; George Blanda, Chief Engineer, Guitar R&D. – Photo courtesy of FMIC.
From left to right: Dan Smith and George Blanda working on the 2004 50th Anniversary Strat, circa late 2003. Photo courtesy of FMIC.
