1. Telecaster: The name "Telecaster" is a combination of "television" and "caster." Leo Fender was inspired to create the Telecaster after seeing the growing popularity of television in the 1950s. He wanted to create a guitar that could be heard clearly over the sound of a television, hence the name "Telecaster."
2. Stratocaster: The name "Stratocaster" is a combination of "strato," meaning "atmosphere" or "layer," and "caster," which is a reference to the guitar's ability to "broadcast" sound. Leo Fender wanted to create a guitar that could produce a wide range of tones and sounds, hence the name "Stratocaster."
3. Esquire: The Esquire was the first solid-body electric guitar produced by Fender. It was originally called the "Broadcaster," but Fender was forced to change the name after Gretsch threatened legal action, claiming that the name "Broadkaster" was too similar to their own "Broadkaster" drum kit. The guitar was then renamed "Esquire" after a popular magazine at the time.
4. Jazzmaster: The Jazzmaster was originally designed for jazz musicians, hence its name. However, it quickly gained popularity among rock and blues guitarists as well, due to its warm, mellow tone and unique vibrato system.
5. Precision Bass: The Precision Bass was the first mass-produced electric bass guitar. It was named "Precision" because of its accurate intonation and consistent sound quality, which made it a favorite among professional bassists.
6. Mustang: The Mustang was named after the popular Ford Mustang car, which was introduced in 1964. The Mustang guitar was Fender's attempt to capture a younger audience, and it quickly became a popular choice for budget-minded guitarists.
7. Jaguar: The Jaguar was introduced in 1962 and was designed to be a more luxurious and versatile guitar than the Jazzmaster. It was named after the Jaguar sports car, which was known for its speed and elegance.
8. Starcaster: The Starcaster was introduced in 1976 as Fender's first semi-hollow body electric guitar. It was named after the Starcaster brand of cars that was produced by Ford in the 1960s.