Image: mollypop, CC BY 2.0 — via Wikimedia Commons
Fender Coronado
| Category | Strings (semi-hollow electric guitar) |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Classification | guitar |
| Wikipedia | en.wikipedia.org |
| Wikidata | Q837092 |
Overview
The Fender Coronado is a semi-hollow electric guitar made by Fender between 1966 and 1972. Unlike most Fender electrics of the time, which used solid bodies, the Coronado has a fully hollow thinline body with f-holes, designed by guitar maker Roger Rossmeisl, who had previously worked at Rickenbacker. It was Fender’s main attempt at the hollow-body market dominated by Gibson and Gretsch in the mid 1960s.
Origin & History
By the mid 1960s, hollow and semi-hollow guitars from Gibson, Gretsch, and Epiphone were popular among rock, blues, and country players. Fender hired Rossmeisl to design a hollow Fender that could compete in that segment. The Coronado debuted in 1966 in standard six-string and bass forms, with later variants including the Coronado II with two pickups and Antigua and Wildwood finish options. The model was discontinued in 1972 and has since become a sought-after vintage instrument; Fender has issued reissues from time to time.
How It’s Played
The Coronado is played like other hollow-body electric guitars: held against the body, fretted with the left hand, and picked with the right. Its hollow construction gives extra warmth and acoustic resonance, but it is more prone to feedback at high volume than a solid-body Fender, so it is most often used at lower-gain settings suitable for jazz, indie, and roots styles.
Cultural Significance
The Coronado was never a commercial blockbuster, and that has helped it acquire a cult following. Players such as Elvis Costello have used it on celebrated recordings, and its distinctive look and tone make it a recognisable departure from the more familiar Fender solid-body silhouettes.
Related Instruments
- Semi-acoustic guitar – the broader category
- Fender Esquire – an early Fender solid-body for contrast
- Fender Bullet – an entry-level Fender solid-body
- Fender Musicmaster – a Fender student model
- Fender Jaguar – a different Fender solid-body design
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Fender Coronado a Telecaster?
No. The Coronado is a hollow-body electric with a different body, neck, and pickup design from a Telecaster, even though both are made by Fender.
Why was the Coronado discontinued?
The Coronado never matched the sales of Fender’s solid-body lines and was retired from the catalogue in 1972, although it has been reissued occasionally since.
Image: photograph by mollypop, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons).
