All those guitarists in the great beyond must have needed a guitar manufacturer. So long Bill, and thanks.
For those who care / a personal view:
I am innermost shocked.
Bill Schultz the president of Fender died.
Bill Schultz has been my boss for a very long time and he was a great person. He was one of the few persons who were able to motivate people in a very personal way. The best example is the phenomenal rise of the quality of Mexican Fender guitars - When everybody was frustrated and did no longer believe that Mexican Guitars get better, he was the first to see the people behind the work and to see their personal situation. With family meetings, barbecues and soccer tournaments ( Fender Mexico Team ), he opened their hearts for the company and the product we all love to play. He made you understand why a musician loves his instrument with only speaking a few sentences. During my early years with Fender at the tradefair in Frankfurt/Germany I really get to know Bill and his wife. You won't imagine, but he was the motor behind many signature guitars of young players (as long as the Fender remained a Fender in its character). I was surprised hearing him speak about persons like the guitarist of Blink182. He was highly interested in new music. When I decided to leave Fender, he said :"Everybody deserves a second chance. It is better when a son comes home, than losing him forever! The door will be open for you all the time"
The last time I met him was in 2003. I will remember him as one of the good guys in this business. His achievings for The Fender Guitars, the complete industry and its employees, all the countless musicians, and especially his efforts of keeping the Strat and Tele a timeless gem and not let the instruments dilute in oblivion after the hard CBS years, remain unbelievably precious and unforgotten.
Jimi75
Last edited by Jimi75; September 22nd, 2006 at 08:22 AM.
All those guitarists in the great beyond must have needed a guitar manufacturer. So long Bill, and thanks.
"No Tele For you." - The Tele Nazi
Ha! Tele-ish now inbound.
I hope he's up there listening to Jimi, Rory and Stevie Ray trade Strat blues licks right now! Thanks for everything you did, Bill.
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That's sad. He basically brought fender back to where they are now.
That was a wonderful and touching story... he will be missed.
"It's funny the way most people love the dead. Once you are dead, you are made for life." - Jimi Hendrix
Thanks for that tribute, Jimi. Sad to hear him go.
The Law of Gravity is nonsense. No such law exists. If I think I float, and you think I float, then it happens.
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I've been playing my Fenders the last few weeks!
Main Rig - Reverend Wolfman > Korg Pitchblack tuner >Vox Clyde Wah > MXR HW Script Phase 90 > MXR 108 Fuzz > Diaz Texas Ranger > Nova Drive > VL Analog Chorus > ModTone Analog Delay > Vox Night Train > 60's Vox 2x12 (Scumback M75 and Hellatone 30)
Thanks Jimi75 for sharing that story. I too have plenty to thank Mr. Schultz for and have been and always will rock on my Fenders. My MIMs have even more special meaning now.
Guitars/Bass - MIM Fender Classic 50s Strat, MIM Fender Standard Strat, Squier Classic Vibe 50s Tele, Gibson Les Paul Studio, Epi '56 Gold Top Les Paul, Martin DSR acoustic, Sigma Martin Auditorium electric/acoustic, Squier Jazz Bass.
Amps/Cabinets/Modelers - Model 2558 50 watt Marshall Silver Anniversary Jubilee combo w/ Celestion Vintage 30s, 4x12 Marshall cabinet w/25 watt Greenback Celestions, Fender Blues Junior w/ a couple of Billm mods, Line 6 POD 2.0, Roland Micro Cube
Pedals/Effects - Cry Baby Classic Wah, Boss TU-2, Boss NS-2, Boss RC-2 Loop Station, Ross Compressor, MXR Micro Amp, Danelectro FAB Echo, Danelectro FAB Chorus, Danelectro Chicken Salad, Marshall Guv'nor Plus, Marshall Echohead, Duhvoodooman's Zonkin' Yellow Screamer, Digitech Digiverb, Digitech Bad Monkey, Dunlop Fuzz Face, Homemade Loop Bypass pedal, Duhvoodooman's Sonic Tonic (Maxon SD-9 clone +), Voodoo Labs Superfuzz