Fender Prodigy
Encyclopedia
The Fender Prodigy is a discontinued model of electric guitar
produced by Fender from 1991 to 1993. It is one of Fender's attempts to compete with the superstrat-style guitars produced by Ibanez
, Jackson
/Charvel
, Carvin Corporation and Yamaha
. Since the Prodigy series was discontinued after about two and half years of production without a clear reason, it is considered one of Fender's rare models because of its limited production. Fender also produced a Prodigy bass based on the Precision Bass Plus Deluxe
featuring a P/J pickup layout, 2-band active circuitry and a "fine-tuner" Schaller Elite bridge assembly.
The Prodigy series featured two single coil pickups and one humbucker at bridge position. The body shape was similar to that of the Stratocaster; however, it featured an offset body, sharper body edges, and a smaller headstock. The Prodigy was relatively different from Fender's HM Stratocaster since it used Leo Fender
's classic Synchronized tremolo system. The Prodigy II was introduced in 1992 with the Kahler
locking tremolo & nut system instead; this model also featured Fender/Schaller tuners and black hardware.
The headstock is imprinted with "Made in U.S.A." which has led many people to believe the Prodigy had been manufactured entirely in the United States, when it had not. The Prodigy necks and bodies were cut and sanded at the Fender factory in Ensenada, Mexico, but they then were shipped to the Fender factory in Corona, California
to have the finish applied and were then subsequently assembled into finished guitars with American made components and stamps.
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
produced by Fender from 1991 to 1993. It is one of Fender's attempts to compete with the superstrat-style guitars produced by Ibanez
Ibanez
is a Japanese guitar brand owned by Hoshino Gakki. Based in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan, Hoshino Gakki were one of the first Japanese musical instrument companies to gain a significant foothold in import guitar sales in the United States and Europe, as well as the first brand of guitars to mass produce...
, Jackson
Jackson Guitars
__FORCETOC__Jackson is a renowned brand of electric guitar that bears the name of its founder, Grover Jackson.-Early years:Grover Jackson obtained ownership in Charvel's Guitar Repair of Glendora, California in the 1970s with a promise to bolster Charvel's business...
/Charvel
Charvel
Charvel is a brand of guitar originally founded in the 1970s by Wayne Charvel in Azusa, California and then later, Glendora, California. Charvel guitars became popular in the 1980s due to their association with famous rock guitarists such as Edward Van Halen , Richie Sambora , Warren DeMartini ,...
, Carvin Corporation and Yamaha
Yamaha
Yamaha may refer to:* Yamaha Corporation, a Japanese company with a wide range of products and services** Yamaha Motor Company, a Japanese motorized vehicle-producing company...
. Since the Prodigy series was discontinued after about two and half years of production without a clear reason, it is considered one of Fender's rare models because of its limited production. Fender also produced a Prodigy bass based on the Precision Bass Plus Deluxe
Fender Precision Bass Plus
The Precision Bass Plus is an electric bass made by Fender Musical Instruments Corporation and designed by George Blanda in 1989. Usually known as the "Boner P-Bass", it was one of the first American-made Fender basses to feature a 22-fret neck, requiring the company to slightly oversize the body...
featuring a P/J pickup layout, 2-band active circuitry and a "fine-tuner" Schaller Elite bridge assembly.
The Prodigy series featured two single coil pickups and one humbucker at bridge position. The body shape was similar to that of the Stratocaster; however, it featured an offset body, sharper body edges, and a smaller headstock. The Prodigy was relatively different from Fender's HM Stratocaster since it used Leo Fender
Leo Fender
Clarence Leonidas "Leo" Fender was an American inventor who founded Fender Electric Instrument Manufacturing Company, or "Fender" for short...
's classic Synchronized tremolo system. The Prodigy II was introduced in 1992 with the Kahler
Kahler Tremolo System
The Kahler Tremolo System is an electric guitar bridge with a cam operated vibrato arm system. It was invented in 1979 by Gary Kahler and Dave Storey...
locking tremolo & nut system instead; this model also featured Fender/Schaller tuners and black hardware.
The headstock is imprinted with "Made in U.S.A." which has led many people to believe the Prodigy had been manufactured entirely in the United States, when it had not. The Prodigy necks and bodies were cut and sanded at the Fender factory in Ensenada, Mexico, but they then were shipped to the Fender factory in Corona, California
Corona, California
Corona is a city in Riverside County, California, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 152,374, up from 124,966 at the 2000 census...
to have the finish applied and were then subsequently assembled into finished guitars with American made components and stamps.