Under FTC rules, for a product to be called Made in USA, or claimed to be of domestic origin without qualifications or limits on the claim, the product must be "all or virtually all" made in the U.S. The term "United States," as referred to in the Enforcement Policy Statement, includes the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
If you see a Fender guitar with this label, it is not "Made in USA," but rather it is assembled in California from more than 50% imported components:
On these models, the neck will be marked "Corona California" because they are legally prohibited from claiming it as being Made in the USA.
Note that it does not say "Made In Corona California," because it is only assembled there.
Even if the serial number begins with "US," it is still largely assembled from imported parts in California .
Hardware, pickups, screws and even the wood itself is often sourced from Asia and this will change depending on what parts are on hand at the time of assembly - this is known as a "Running Change," and it is why some instruments come with an unusual combination of parts and/features that are different from advertised specifications.
A "Made In USA" Fender will have this unique label:
It will also have a decal applied over the headstock finish as shown:
So before you pay a lot of dough for a "Genuine USA Fender," be sure it really is American Made or it is priced accordingly.
Hope this helps clarify things...
If you see a Fender guitar with this label, it is not "Made in USA," but rather it is assembled in California from more than 50% imported components:
On these models, the neck will be marked "Corona California" because they are legally prohibited from claiming it as being Made in the USA.
Note that it does not say "Made In Corona California," because it is only assembled there.
Even if the serial number begins with "US," it is still largely assembled from imported parts in California .
Hardware, pickups, screws and even the wood itself is often sourced from Asia and this will change depending on what parts are on hand at the time of assembly - this is known as a "Running Change," and it is why some instruments come with an unusual combination of parts and/features that are different from advertised specifications.
A "Made In USA" Fender will have this unique label:
It will also have a decal applied over the headstock finish as shown:
So before you pay a lot of dough for a "Genuine USA Fender," be sure it really is American Made or it is priced accordingly.
Hope this helps clarify things...
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