logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2025
43m 40s

🎾 Fender Stratocaster: The Guitar That ...

Wondery
About this episode

This one guitar didn’t just change music — it permanently cranked it up to 11. From Buddy Holly’s crisp riffs to Jimi Hendrix’s flaming solos (literally, he lit one on fire), the Fender Stratocaster is the most iconic electric guitar of all time. It inspired the Beatles AND Eric Clapton, became the axe of choice for everything from punk rock to reggae, and cemented itself as the foundation of America's $2 billion guitar industry. But the Strat’s journey begins in a ramshackle workshop of an unlikely guitar hero, Leo Fender (the guy couldn’t even strum Wonderwall). This unassuming electronics nerd overcame near-bankruptcy, chronic stress, and even a termite infestation to create the perfect electric guitar
Find out why great entrepreneurial teams are like the best bands, how Fleetwood Mac holds the key to innovation, and why the Fender Stratocaster is the best idea yet. 

Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter

Follow The Best Idea Yet on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting www.wondery.com/links/the-best-idea-yet/ now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Up next
Jul 8
đŸ„Frisbee: A Pie in the Sky Idea (literally) | 39
What do you do for fun if you’re a bored college kid? For students across New England in the early 1900s, the answer was simple: toss around empty pie tins (obviously). Soon, shouts of “Frisbee!” echoed across campus quads — and a local recreational sensation was born. But it too ... Show More
38m 49s
Jul 1
🎭 Hamilton: From Founding Father To Broadway Star | 38
In 2008, Lin-Manuel Miranda badly needed a vacation. He’d just won the Tony for his musical “In The Heights,” he’d been going nonstop. So he took a break, bringing a book with him for poolside lounging: the 800-page biography of America’s first treasury secretary, Alexander Hamil ... Show More
42m 30s
Jun 24
đŸ„€Dr Pepper: The Mystery & Magic of America’s #2 Soda | 37
Born in a sweltering Texas drugstore in 1885 - this indescribable, 23 (secret) ingredient concoction broke the first rule of marketing: never sell something you can't explain. Behind this mystery brew was Charles Alderton, a flavor-obsessed pharmacist who sold his recipe and walk ... Show More
40m 43s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2025
đŸ‡ș🇾 “47’s Favorite Number” — Trump’s Report Card. Bumble’s Boomerang CEO. Gmail’s AI Clippy.
On Trump’s 1st day back in the White House
 We’ll tell you his most important economic number.Bumble’s founder is returning as CEO
 So we found the stock performance of Boomerang CEOs.Gmail and Microsoft are forcing everyone to buy their AI
 because AI has an innovator problem.Pl ... Show More
21m 5s
Dec 2019
Welcome to The Opus - Season 6: The Clash's London Calling
Consequence of Sound and Sony are proud to present the sixth season of The Opus. Past seasons have explored the legacy of iconic albums by Bob Dylan (Blood on the Tracks), The Jimi Hendrix Experience (Electric Ladyland), Jeff Buckley (Grace), Willie Nelson (Red Headed Stranger), ... Show More
1m 35s
Sep 2024
166- Was G&L Leo Fender’s biggest MISTAKE?
After he sold Fender and exited his collaboration with Music Man, Leo Fender founded a brand-new company that would play host to his final electric guitar and bass innovations. Leo called G&L Guitars the best instruments he ever made – the problem was that by the time he formed h ... Show More
46m 38s
Oct 2024
This Moment in Music History for 10-15-2024
On October 15th in music history, one significant event took place in 1966 when The Jimi Hendrix Experience played their first gig at the Novelty in Évreux, France. This marked the beginning of a legendary journey for one of the most influential guitarists in rock history. Jimi H ... Show More
2m 6s
May 28
Mexican Reggae – 50 Years of Don Felder
Legendary Eagles guitarist Don Felder joins for a deep dive into his extraordinary musical journey – from co-writing Hotel California and jamming with Joe Walsh to opening up “The Vault,” his new solo album featuring 50 years of unreleased material to growing up in Gainesville, F ... Show More
50m 38s
May 5
Van Halen (Part 1): Bootleggers, U.S. Marshals, and Protecting Innovation at Any Cost
On the backs of one of rock ‘n roll’s greatest innovators and one of its greatest ringmasters, Van Halen made some of the greatest music of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. Guitarist Eddie Van Halen chased the perfect sound while lead singer David Lee Roth chased the next party. The ... Show More
43m 17s
Oct 2022
Alice in Chains' Dirt Was a Venn Diagram of Grunge, Metal, and Hard Rock: The Opus
Alice in Chains are seen as one of the bands that helped define the hard rock era that arose from early-1990s Seattle. But at a time when the entire music industry was laser focused on the rise of grunge music, Alice in Chains sat both at the epicenter of the global movement and ... Show More
25m 48s
Jan 2025
Episode 78: Justin Crew - Enter the World of Kirk Hammett’s Guitar Tech
The week of January 22, 2025 on The Metallica Report
 We continue our techs-behind-the-band series with Justin Crew, Kirk Hammett’s right-hand guitar-man of 29 years. Justin recounts the genesis of his own career from Go West to AC/DC, how he landed the Metallica/Hammett gig, the ... Show More
36m 39s
Mar 2022
Joan Jett on Her All Acoustic Album, Making Light of Day with Michael J Fox, & Upcoming Tour with Def Leppard, Motley Crue, and Poison
Joan Jett catches up with Kyle Meredith to talk about Changeup, her very first acoustic album that finds classics and deep cuts stripped down to their roots. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legend takes us into what prompted the project, turning down MTV when they asked her to do ... Show More
52m 52s
Dec 2024
Eric Singer & Brent Fitz | Rock Legends Unplugged | Joe Fahmy's Happy Hour Ep 7
Join us for an electrifying conversation with legendary drummers Eric Singer (KISS) and Brent Fitz (Slash) as they share untold stories from their iconic music careers. Discover the highs and lows of life on the road, the real challenges of the music business, and insider tales f ... Show More
1h 14m