Fernandes Guitars is a
guitar brand of
Japanese marketing company Fernandes Co. Ltd. It is one of two guitar brands belonging to the company, the other being
Burny Guitars which are
Gibson guitar replicas.[1] It's parent company originated in 1969 as Saito Musical Instruments before changing its name to Fernandes in 1972. The company started as a distributor of
flamenco guitars sub-contracting to Japanese factories to build them. As the company grew, it expanded production to include
electric guitars,
bass guitars,
amplifiers, and accessories to become one of the biggest guitar producers in Japan. Early manufacturing was done by
Kawai Gakki whom had guitar building experience from their acquisition of
Teisco in 1967. Other major Japanese manufacturers have built guitars for Fernandes under
original equipment manufacturer (OEM) arrangements, including
Matsumoku, Dyna Gakki,[2] and
Tōkai Gakki.[3] From the late 1980s, lower-spec guitars have also been built in Korea and more recently China.
Overview
1981 Burny
Monterey Deluxe
ZO-3
Despite its high production figures, Fernandes is better known in the United States for its
Sustainer system, which uses
electromagnetism[4] to vibrate a string for an extended period, so long as the user continues to fret a note.[5] Unlike the similar manual
EBow sustainer, the Fernandes Sustainer can be used with a standard
plectrum, because the sustainer is embedded in the body of guitar.[6] Fernandes' custom shop has installed numerous Sustainers into guitars built by other manufacturers.
Also, Fernandes produced the SB-3000 "Brad Gillis" Fernandes Booster, basically active preamp (9V) gain, which is installed instead of standard output jack plate. It was standard on Fernandes Brad Gillis Signature Model ST-120BG superstrat guitars made in 1985-1987.
Fernandes continues to manufacture guitars that cover the range from inexpensive starter models to custom instruments. In 2000, Fernandes made a guitar to promote the
video gameUm Jammer Lammy, similar to Lammy's guitars.
Musicians using Fernandes
Billie Joe Armstrong of
Green Day with his Fernandes The Revival RST-50 (stratocaster style) nicknamed "Blue" in 2022
Heath of
X Japan with his signature Fernandes bass guitar in 2011
Robert Trujillo of
Metallica has been seen using a variety of Fernandes basses, mainly 5-string neck-thru types appearing to be based on the "Gravity Deluxe" production model. Allegedly, Rob's personally owned Fernandes basses were custom made by either the Fernandes North Hollywood and/or Japanese custom shops. The specifications and complete history of Rob's personally owned and stage-played Fernandes basses by most accounts is still a mystery.
Brad Gillis of American rock band
Night Ranger and former
Ozzy Osbourne guitarist had his own stratocaster-type model that was red with a black pick guard. Gillis still uses his Fernandes guitar as his main guitar when he performs in concert with Night Ranger.[7] Fernandes made Brad Gillis Signature Model ST-120BG superstrat guitar, with SB-3000 Booster (active preamp) and Fernandes VS-1 and VH-2B pickups.
Billie Joe Armstrong of American
punk rock band
Green Day had a Fernandes The Revival RST-50 Stratocaster since he was 10 named "Blue" from his mother, and has played it live[8] for nearly every show he has played, near exclusively used for all songs in Eb tuning.
The Edge of
U2 has started using a Retro Rocket and Native Pro guitar with Sustainer to play
With or Without You when playing live.[9]
Heath of Japanese
heavy metal band
X Japan uses his signature Fernandes model FJB-115H bass guitar almost exclusively.[10] Previously he used several Burny guitars, including his signature model DB-85H.
hide of Japanese heavy metal band X Japan used Fernandes guitars almost exclusively. He has numerous signature models with the company.[11]
Hidehiko Hoshino of Japanese
rock band
Buck-Tick uses Fernandes guitars almost exclusively. He has had several signature models with the company.[12]
Hisashi Imai of Japanese rock band Buck-Tick uses Fernandes guitars almost exclusively. He has several signature models with the company.[12]
Tomoyasu Hotei of
Boøwy and solo fame was one of the leading Japanese artists to front Fernandes in the mid-80s onwards, launching several versions of the TEJ model guitar.
Steve Hackett, formerly of
Genesis and
GTR, has used Burny guitars with sustainer units (one black and one gold) since his 1999
Darktown album. They have since replaced his previous stock Les Paul guitars as his electric guitar of choice for every album and live show since then.[14]
Kasper Eistrup of
Kashmir, Danish Band, has used a Fernandes Telecaster with a Fernandes Sustainer kit for several years, and has since acquired another black Fernandes Telecaster, as well.
Kirk Hammett of
Metallica used a Fernandes Stratocaster, seemingly an EMG equipped FST-135 nicknamed "Edna", for clean parts on some of the early Metallica albums such as Ride the Lightning as well as live on early tours. He also used a customized red 1985 FST-65 with a CS Style 22F wood neck option.[15][16][17]
Kurt Cobain of American
grunge rock group
Nirvana used a Fernandes Stratocaster neck on a Japanese Fender Stratocaster body during their live performance at the
Paramount[18]
Neal Schon of
Journey used the sustainer system in Fernandes guitars, Aria Pro II guitars, and eventually in his black Les Paul (replacing the neck P90), as well as his own production models. Many of his famous leads, such as "
Send Her My Love", are examples of the sustainer system's abilities.
John Flansburgh of
They Might Be Giants used a Fernandes The Revival RST-50 Stratocaster for most of the songs on
Lincoln as well as in concerts from the band's early era.