Fernandes Strats

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Sigmania

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Just wanting to put together a collection of Fernandes Strats, and look at build quality and try to sort out which ones are definitely Tokai built.

It looks like the serial numbers are stamped on the fretboard through 1976. By 1977 they are then ink stamped on the neck inside the neck pocket. The first digit seems to be the year.

Fernandes "CBS Fender" Style Logo Gallery 1973-1975
Fernandes "Spaghetti Logo" Gallery 1975-1976
Fernandes "Stone Logo" Gallery 1977-1981
Fernandes "The Revival" Gallery 1982-1990
Fernandes "The Function" Gallery
Fernandes "Limited Edition" Gallery
Fernandes "Electric Sound Research Group" Logo Gallery
Fernandes "Love Driver" Larc en ciel Ken Kitamura Model Gallery
Fernandes LA-85KK Ken Kitamura (L'arc En Ciel) Signature Model


Fernandes Timeline Cool Japanese Video
 
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Logos over time.

1973--1974
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1975-1976
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1977-1981
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1982-1990
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Interesting Fernandes history from music-trade.co.jp site.

History of Fernandes (Burny) Guitar

Fernandes (and Burny) were brand names of Saito Musical Instruments. The company was founded in 1969 and registered as Fernandes in 1972. Originally selling the flamenco guitars, the company expanded production over the years to include different acoustic models, electric guitars, bass guitars, amplifiers and accessories and is today one of the most famous Japanese guitar Manufacturers.

They didn't officially announce, but Mr. Saito asked both Mr. Katsumi Omote (He was a staff of Fernandes, transferring employee, conducted Kawai manufacturing, He was a guitar player but knew much knowledge of electric guitars already.) I'm not sure but Mr. Saito also asked Mr. Hidesato Shiino to support the Fernandes electric guitars line in the early 1970’s. Probably, both Mr. Omote and Mr. Shiino conducted early time Fernandes Guitar.

They made 2 brands such as Fernandes and Burny. Fernandes line is replica of Fender, Burny was replica of Gibson line.

These were a very good replica. The price was 1/3-1/4 of original guitars. Also, the quality was much better than earlier GRECO, (Matsumoku era) MORRIS, Guyatone and others.

FST (Strat) and FTE (Tele) were early time line-up with Fernandes Logo on the head. The hardware size was metric instead of fractional. So, the bridge was made slightly narrow. The body was made by the silver heart wood which was used at many bowling alley. After bowling booming at early 70's, many bowling alley were bankrupted. They use the wood from those scrap. They made the body from these woods. (Well, H.S.Anderson used it too). That's why early Fernandes body is bonded wood! The weak point of this wood was really heavy weight. So you could feel the weight more compare with other replica.

The early catalogs featured TV, SG and Firebird replica. Burny brand was used for these Gibson replicas. it was unique that most Japanese manufacturers were using bolt-on neck bodies but BURNY was very good at set-neck construction for upper class. (ELK did set-in neck a bit earlier). In addition, the SG copy included the vibro-tremolo unit.

As an interesting side note, the Burny name was supposed to be Bunny (as in rabbits) but was misspelled. On learning of the error and the English meaning of burn, they decided to stick with the original BURNY brand name.

The actual manufacturer is Kawai Gakki. They made all Fernandes guitars as OEM contract. Kawai has many knowledge from Teisco production. However, they didn't know well about Fender and Gibson originals.

Fernandes offered the big size Guitar Amplifiers at the same type of guitars. These Amplifiers were named "Royal", look like Orange Amplifier. These are also conducted by Mr. Omote and Mr. Shiino. Well, 2 gentlemen started ESP a bit later. They were original member of ESP foundation (a bit later, 2 gentlemen left ESP, they have internal argument and it became court battle with current ESP owner).

The sale of Fernandes was increased a lot. They sent Mr. Omote to the States to investigate more guitars. He bought back many second hand guitars (well, these are now vintage guitars). Then, they started to make more detailed replica.

In 1975, Fernandes introduced replica of the Gibson Les Paul Standard and Custom. They used the solid mahogany back and 2 piece solid wood top like Gibson. Also made closely matched the set-neck construction of the Gibson originals.

Probably, in 75-76, Fernandes has started to discussion with Tokai Gakki to start the OEM production.

In 1977-80, Fernandes started the new logo mark guitars (We called it as Stone <in Japanese "Ishi" --- The mark is very closed to Japanese Chinese character "Stone") logo. Tokai use very good wood materials for this OEM contract. Tokai received many manufacturing and construction knowledge from Mr. Omote and guitars which he brought from the States.

In 1981, under intense legal pressure from Gibson and Fender, Fernandes introduced "The Revival" series. Fernandes was forced to change the design of the logo mark and inlay on the head peg board to distance themselves from the Gibson and Fender designs. Many different logo and head designs mark this era. However, the guitars were developed very much. They checked the Gibson/Fender Vintage guitars, and analyze them. The body cavities, PU, Tremolo units and others..., They completely made clone guitars. These are incredible nice quality guitars as price listed.

The following are short explanation of Fernandes Strat Replica history

1973-74 Traditional Type "Fernandes" Logo --- Kawai --- conducted by Mr. Omote and Mr. Shiino
1975-77 Spaghetti Type "Fernandes" Logo --- Kawai/Tokai --- conducted by Mr. Omote
1978-79 Stone Type "Fernandes" Logo --- Tokai
1980-81 Stone Type "Fernandes" Logo --- Changed to 22F --- Tokai ??? (Not verified)
1981-90 Revival Series Logo --- Probably Tokai ??? (Not verified)
2003 Revival Second Generation --- No idea about the MFG

FERNANDES is also well known in the United States for its Sustainer system which uses electromagnetism to vibrate a string for an indefinite period? as long as the user continues to fret the note. This was a huge leap forward in electric guitar technology and the custom shop at FERNANDES and dealers worldwide installed Sustainers on many manufacturers’ guitars.

I personally do not like the Fernandes guitars after 1990. They made the guitar in Korea? China? I think ZO-3 was made in Korea, no doubt.

The quality of this brand was great in 1975-early time 80's. These are golden time guitars. Well, revival series were really good even compare with real Fender line. And if you are lucky, please check the Burny line which Mr. Omote involved. These were very good construction and tone. Maybe. Tokai LS series was the influenced by these lines.

Fernandes didn't have their own factory. Well, Greco didn't too, without factory, the companies became the marketing, whole sales and money oriented. They have the good sales network and brand name but they left the manufacturing spirits.

(updated April 24, 2012)
 
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I've done Tokai, done Greco, do Aria next time, so it's Fernandes this time!
I'm going to talk about Fernandes.

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Fernandes is "Saito Musical Instruments" established in 1969 is the predecessor Originally, the business was the purchase and wholesale of classical guitars. Is it the influence of Greco's EG series hits? Changed business to a manufacturer of LM musical instruments.

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In October 1972, the company name was changed to Fernandes Co., Ltd., produced by Hidetoshi Shiino. It started selling electric guitars

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Every company has key people. Fernandez was also present. While changing from a classical guitar to an electric guitar A person responsible for product planning and development joins the company. I was a musician at the time. Later founded MOON Corporation My name is Katsumi Omote.

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At that time, even guitar manufacturers It is natural that there is no one who can play the guitar, I don't know the peripheral devices. I think he was the right person for the development. (Users at that time had little knowledge of LM instruments. It was the form that the manufacturer sent. )
 
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Mr. Omote, '72, import size.
The development child of Kuichi Toyoshu, a craftsman of Shikawai musical instruments

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The main electric guitar in the early days was Greco's EG series, which was a hit at the time Rather than against a Les Paul copy A copy of the Strat that Greco was short of at the time Higher quality construction than Greco It penetrated Fernandez's high quality.

Screen Shot 2023-01-02 at 8.41.12 AM.png'73 Catalog

Is this Fernandes' first catalog?


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The rod adjustment is not attached to the head yet, but even the logo looks like the real thing. Also, the tremolo unit is different from Greco's weird Reco with plastic tops at the time. I am using the exact copy. The Greco at the time had a maple 3P neck and a nut like a folk guitar. Fel is not a complete one-piece neck, It is made like a fender properly.
 
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'74 Catalog
At that time, I was dealing with Rickenbacker. Listed in the catalog.

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Rod adjustment is attached to the head, If you look at it from a distance, including the logo It's a Strat from the 70's. FST these days is a maple body It's **** heavy. Lasts from 1973 to 1977 The joint plate of this strange-shaped Kawai musical instrument It's a little disappointing, isn't it?

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'75 Catalog
It was distributed at the musical instrument fair held this year.

IMG_7237.jpeg



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Small head FST-80 will be added, but it hasn't become a spa logo yet, The neck is also not a complete one-piece. The body is silver heart with cashew paint. Is it from reflection that the maple body was **** heavy? FST-60 became FST-65 with a 5,000 yen increase in natural price.

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The long-awaited Les Paul series from this catalog FLG is announced. Lineup of FLG-65, FLG-85, FLG-100 85 and 100 are grover pegs, It had a cashew finish. Machined top for all models maho back without ply was.
 
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'76 catalog
Although it is described as a catalog in 1977 on the Fernandes site, acoustic version of Hayashi Gakki OEM. Headway to BJ Model. Former Mr. Momose's autograph.
'76 I think.

FST-70,75N
It's been three years since we made a Stratocaster model. I never imagined that the Strat model would become so popular. The FST series has not undergone any major specification changes since its launch, but in order to make the most of our three years of technology, we have upgraded this model in a form that is close to a full model change

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Maple one-piece necks were adopted from the middle of 1976. Along with that, FST-60 was changed to 70, 65N to 75N, and FST-80 to 85. 85N became 90N.
Added FST-100OYS and FST-105VOB.
The small head model has been changed to the spa logo.

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FLG-65 was raised to FLG-70. The lineup will be FLG-70, 85, 90, 100, There is FLG-120 as the highest grade model, It was antique specification with Glover 102.
 
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'77 Catalog.
FERNANDES ELECTRIC GUITARS ELECTRIC BASS GUITARS CATALOGUE. FERNANDES CORPORATION SE Fernandes Electric Sound Research Group. FST-SERIES FTE-SERIES FLC-SERIES FLG-SERIES FPB-SERIES FJB-SERIES ORANGE-GUITARS

I believe this was at the musical instrument fair in 1977. I got it. Fernandez's site.I don't ride. From this year, Fender guitars became the stone logo.

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The lineup of FLG and FST has not changed from the previous year. A more advanced model has been added. They are FST-120 and FLG-140. Is it because the Fernandez brand has become expensive? The low-priced brand ORANGE was listed.

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This year's orange single catalog. the Orange news Fernandes pricing structure because it has become too expensive Updating the guitar There is a meaning of digesting old parts electric, round. research group I thought it was a cheap brand. I personally think.

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Small talk.
 
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Katsumi Omote retired from Fernandez in 1975. With Mr. Hidetoshi Shiino and Mr. Naotake Shibuya Founded ESP.

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This time around here and in the next video
 
It sure looks like some of the Function FST models in 1984/85 are very very similar to Tokai Super, Limited and Custom Editions at the same time.

1985 catalog

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