In 1954, Fender introduced the Fender Stratocaster,
or "Strat." The Stratocaster was seen as a deluxe model
and offered various product improvements and innovations
over the Telecaster.
These innovations included a well dries ash or alder double-cutaway body design for bridge assembly with an integrated spring vibrato mechanism (called synchronized
tremolo by Fender, thus beginning a confusion of the
terms that still continues), three single-coil pickup,
and body comfort contours.
Leo Fender is also credited with developing
the first commercially successful
electric bass guitar called the
Fender Precision Bass, introduced in 1951.
