Andy Mooney of Fender

Our debut episode of Guitar Center’s Plugged-In with Gabe Dalporto begins with a moment nearly all guitarists share when they hang out with other guitar players—the unveiling of their prized gear.In this instance, Dalporto shows Fender CEO Andy Mooney his first guitar—the 1964 Stratocaster his father gave him when he was 12 years old. After trading a few licks on the ’64 Strat, the two business leaders and musicians discuss the enduring legacy of Leo Fender and his “form follows function” philosophy, the critical importance of listening to the needs of players, embracing technology and more.NOTE: This episode was filmed prior to the news that Andy Mooney was retiring as CEO of Fender after 10 years leading the company. We hope you enjoy the episode and we congratulate him on Fender’s achievements under his leadership.Chapters00:00 – Welcome to Inside the Noise00:47 – Why Guitar Center Is Pulling Back the Curtain on the Music Industry01:21 – A 1964 Fender Stratocaster: Gabe Dalporto’s First Guitar Story02:49 – Meet Andy Mooney, CEO of Fender03:01 – Leo Fender’s Legacy and the Birth of the Electric Guitar04:16 – Form Follows Function: How Leo Fender Designed for Musicians05:51 – Fender and Apple: Building Iconic Brands Through Innovation06:35 – Every Product Is a Deposit or Withdrawal in Brand Equity07:19 – Expanding Fender Beyond Guitars: Pedals, Acoustasonic, and More07:52 – Reimagining the Acoustic Guitar the Leo Fender Way09:14 – The Fender Acoustasonic: Blending Acoustic and Electric Worlds10:30 – Inside Fender Factories: Craftsmanship Behind Every Instrument11:03 – Fender Custom Shop Stories and One-of-a-Kind Guitars13:27 – Why Tinkering and Experimentation Still Define Fender13:44 – Fender’s Vision: Respecting the Past While Designing the Future14:50 – How Modern Artists Are Shaping Fender Guitar Innovation15:04 – Digital Amps, Silent Stages, and the Future of Live Guitar Rigs16:18 – Fender Tone Master Pro and Designing for Simplicity17:23 – Andy Mooney’s Favorite Guitars and Playing Styles19:23 – Why Fender Employees Still Gig and Play Live Music21:01 – What Fender and Guitar Center Share in Company Culture22:13 – Optimism for the Guitar Industry and the Future of Music23:39 – Final Takeaways: Innovation, Legacy, and the Enduring Power of Music24:35 – Subscribe for More Inside the Noise Episodes