The Fender Bullet was an entry-level guitar designed by John Page, whose effort earned him his first patent — for the guitar’s combined bridge and pickguard. The Bullet series was conceived for a young and novice budget-minded public to replace the outgoing Mustang and the Music Master: “To capture the essence of Fender guitars — at an exceptionally affordable price,” said the Fender catalog.
“I remember my directive from marketing was to design a guitar that could be made for $65 in standard manufacturing cost,” said Page in an interview with Dave Hunter, published on Guitar.com on March 11, 2020. “I think I came within a dollar of that. I believe it retailed for $199 at the time. So, it was a matter of, ‘How can I make the least expensive guitar that’s manufactured here, and use up a lot of parts, Mustang parts and so forth, that are lying around?’”
The Bullet project was initially headed by Senior Designer Greg Wilson, but it was abandoned after the prototype was made. The project was relaunched after John Page became a Design Engineer, with John leading it and Scott Zimmerman making prototypes.
“I remember my directive from marketing was to design a guitar that could be made for $65 in standard manufacturing cost,” said Page in an interview with Dave Hunter, published on Guitar.com on March 11, 2020. “I think I came within a dollar of that. I believe it retailed for $199 at the time. So, it was a matter of, ‘How can I make the least expensive guitar that’s manufactured here, and use up a lot of parts, Mustang parts and so forth, that are lying around?’”
The Bullet project was initially headed by Senior Designer Greg Wilson, but it was abandoned after the prototype was made. The project was relaunched after John Page became a Design Engineer, with John leading it and Scott Zimmerman making prototypes.
Fender Bullet ad
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The first protoype, made under the direction of Greg Wilson. This project was dropped and restarted under the direction of John Page
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Since the Bullet was the first design by John Page for Fender, Fender management had the Bullet serial 001 crafted for him as a gesture of appreciation. This guitar featured a beautiful flame neck, and gold hardware, and was finished in pink as a playful prank, knowing he wouldn't be fond of the pink color.
Unfortunately, Bullet 001 was lost in a fire that swept through several model shops and offices in the R&D buildings at Fender's Fullerton factory in 1983. In this fire, an original 1952 Telecaster was also lost. The fire was ignited when an employee from the amp research department used a table saw to cut a piece of metal tubing after working hours. This action created sparks that ignited the sawdust in the bottom of the saw, leading to a massive fire at approximately two o'clock in the morning.
Unfortunately, Bullet 001 was lost in a fire that swept through several model shops and offices in the R&D buildings at Fender's Fullerton factory in 1983. In this fire, an original 1952 Telecaster was also lost. The fire was ignited when an employee from the amp research department used a table saw to cut a piece of metal tubing after working hours. This action created sparks that ignited the sawdust in the bottom of the saw, leading to a massive fire at approximately two o'clock in the morning.
A young John McLaren Jr. in the Fender R&D Model Shop pretending to saw up a burnt Japanese reissue Stratocaster. Photo by Steve Boulanger
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John Ziegler sitting at a desk after the fire. Photo by Steve Boulanger
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THE FIRST-GENERATION US BULLETS
At first, the Bullets were made in Korea, but it did not work out due to some quality control issues. Page remembers the call when the first shipment of Fender Bullets from Korea showed up in California in 1981. “I have an image of walking down there and seeing racks with hundreds of my first design in them. That was a personal rush! But other than that, what I remember is a lot of trouble with them.”
Bullet model, 1982 Fender catalog
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So, Fender decided not to have the Bullets made entirely in Korea, and they were assembled in the States using Korean-manufactured parts.
Unfortunately, even this did not produce guitars of a high enough standard, and by late 1981 the Bullets shifted to full American production. The first two models, the Bullet (known as “Standard Bullet”) and the Bullet Deluxe, remained in production until mid-1982. These guitars were also called “Bullet One” by US dealers and retailers but never marketed as such. It’s important to keep in mind that at that time, the Bullets were not a type of Stratocaster, but rather, they were a model of their own — similar to the Stratocaster, the Telecaster, the Precision bass, and so on. |
The Bullet and the Bullet Deluxe featured a single cutaway hardwood body (either laminate or solid), reminiscent of the Fender Telecaster but much smaller in size, closer to that of the Mustang and Duo-Sonic. The body was only 1 5/8” thick, in contrast to the standard 1 3/4” thickness of other Fender guitars. Fender advertised these guitars as having hardwood bodies, although some of them actually had a laminate luan mahogany body.
These guitars featured a Telecaster-style maple neck with a 21-fret rosewood fretboard and a Telecaster-style headstock, crafted using the same tooling as all Telecaster necks. Since they lacked the 21st dot marker, they were not leftover ‘60s Telecaster necks, as is often reported.
At the time of their release in 1981, the only neck option available was maple with a rosewood fretboard. However, they were soon available with a 1-piece neck with a walnut skunk stripe and the 21st fret dot marker, although these are relatively rare.
These guitars featured a Telecaster-style maple neck with a 21-fret rosewood fretboard and a Telecaster-style headstock, crafted using the same tooling as all Telecaster necks. Since they lacked the 21st dot marker, they were not leftover ‘60s Telecaster necks, as is often reported.
At the time of their release in 1981, the only neck option available was maple with a rosewood fretboard. However, they were soon available with a 1-piece neck with a walnut skunk stripe and the 21st fret dot marker, although these are relatively rare.
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The Deluxe model was equipped with a plastic pickguard with a separate, strings-through body hard-tail bridge, while the Standard model featured a powder-coated white or black steel pickguard-bridge-tailpiece combo that had a small lip raised at a 90% angle to anchor the strings, along with separate saddles featuring offset string grooves and height screws.
All Standard pickguards had a “PATENT APPLIED FOR” sticker to protect the design of the pickguard-bridge-tailpiece combo until the patent was granted. |
The pickguard-bridge combo of the Bullet
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However, it was often either pulled off by owners or fell off, so not many actually feature that sticker today. John Page and Gregg Wilson applied for the patent on June 10, 1981, and it was granted on February 15, 1983.
Both models featured two single-coil pickups with six flat-pole alnico magnets and the same closed pickup covers as used on the Mustang, along with a 3-way selector switch. The neck pickup was slanted, similar to that of the Duo Sonic.
The jack socket was located on the pickguard perpendicular to the top, and the volume and tone plastic knob were those of the Stratocaster.
They were both available in Red or Ivory only. However, according to Donald Brosnac, author of “Guitar history Vol 1,” the very first white Bullets were not Ivory, but a completely different shade of White.
The jack socket was located on the pickguard perpendicular to the top, and the volume and tone plastic knob were those of the Stratocaster.
They were both available in Red or Ivory only. However, according to Donald Brosnac, author of “Guitar history Vol 1,” the very first white Bullets were not Ivory, but a completely different shade of White.
The headstock decals varied slightly. Some Bullets featured a serial number with the “E1” prefix followed by a 5-digit number, while others had an all-numerals serial number (with “1” as the first digit). Additionally, some had the “MADE IN USA” decal on the headstock, while others did not. However, all decals featured a silver star near the Fender logo and the inscription “Bullet” or “Bullet Deluxe”.
The Fender Bullet headstock. This one lacked the "Made in Usa" label. Courtesy of Chicago Music Exchange
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The Fender Bullet Deluxe headstock, Courtesy of Imperial Vintage Guitars
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John Page explained the origin of the silver star on the Bullets headstock: “When I designed the Bullet, I was still gigging a lot and still reading the trades like Billboard. The Billboard charts always had a silver star around the number of singles/albums that were shooting up the charts quickly. They were usually the hits. So, I thought that the phrase ‘Number one with a bullet’ which was a classic DJ/industry phrase, would be a great advertising campaign for it. Fender marketing chose not to go with it, so the decal never made any sense. But what was funny, as a side note, the very next NAMM show after I released it, an import company, maybe Tokai or Hondo, basically ripped off the design and called it the All-Star... silver star with the numeral one in it and all.”
At first, they were equipped with Kluson “no-line” and “double-line” tuning machines. However, shortly after, Kluson went out of business, leading to the use of “F” keys on these guitars.
At first, they were equipped with Kluson “no-line” and “double-line” tuning machines. However, shortly after, Kluson went out of business, leading to the use of “F” keys on these guitars.
Around 1976, Fender had just acquired a new Onsrud NC router for the factory. This early NC router utilized paper tape for programming rather than a computer program. The body in the picture is one of the initial samples produced during the setup of the machine to test the programming. (Courtesy of Leeroy Hardy)
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THE SECOND-GENERATION US BULLETS
In June 1982, although it was too late for inclusion in the '82 Fender Catalog, both the Standard and Deluxe Bullets underwent a redesign. The updated design featured a double cutaway body reminiscent of the Stratocaster (though without the contour), and a 1-piece maple neck with a maple skunk stripe.
Furthermore, in 1982, five additional Bullet models were introduced. These included the Bullet H-1, also called Bullet II, and the Bullet H-2, also called Bullet Deluxe II. The Bullet H-1 had one humbucker and one coil-tap switch, while the Bullet H-2 had two humbuckers and two coil-tap switches. Additionally, the Bullet S-3, also called Bullet Deluxe III, featured three single-coil pickups. Two bass models were also introduced: the regular scale B-34 and the short scale B-30.
The Deluxe model, now renamed as Bullet S-2, retained the plastic pickguard and separate hardtail bridge while maintaining the same pickup configuration. The newly introduced S-3 featured a separate plastic guard, a traditional hardtail bridge, and three single coils controlled by a 5-way switch. The H-1 model came with the metal guard-bridge combination, featuring one humbucker and a coil-tapping button. The H-2 sported a plastic pickguard, a traditional hardtail bridge, and two humbuckers, each equipped with its own coil-tapping button.
Furthermore, in 1982, five additional Bullet models were introduced. These included the Bullet H-1, also called Bullet II, and the Bullet H-2, also called Bullet Deluxe II. The Bullet H-1 had one humbucker and one coil-tap switch, while the Bullet H-2 had two humbuckers and two coil-tap switches. Additionally, the Bullet S-3, also called Bullet Deluxe III, featured three single-coil pickups. Two bass models were also introduced: the regular scale B-34 and the short scale B-30.
The Deluxe model, now renamed as Bullet S-2, retained the plastic pickguard and separate hardtail bridge while maintaining the same pickup configuration. The newly introduced S-3 featured a separate plastic guard, a traditional hardtail bridge, and three single coils controlled by a 5-way switch. The H-1 model came with the metal guard-bridge combination, featuring one humbucker and a coil-tapping button. The H-2 sported a plastic pickguard, a traditional hardtail bridge, and two humbuckers, each equipped with its own coil-tapping button.
The Manual of the new Fender Bullet Series
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New Fender Bullet ad
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The “humbuckers” on these models were not true humbuckers; instead, they were two single-coil pickups set side by side, each equipped with a white closed cover featuring a Fender logo.
The fretboard of the new Bullets featured the 21st dot marker and a maple skunk stripe. However, a few "transitional" second-generation Bullets with old necks featuring a walnut skunk stripe are known to exist. The maple version had a slim D-shaped neck with a 7.25” radius fretboard, while the rosewood-fretboard version had an inconsistent neck profile and fretboard radius.
The fretboard of the new Bullets featured the 21st dot marker and a maple skunk stripe. However, a few "transitional" second-generation Bullets with old necks featuring a walnut skunk stripe are known to exist. The maple version had a slim D-shaped neck with a 7.25” radius fretboard, while the rosewood-fretboard version had an inconsistent neck profile and fretboard radius.
The Bullet H-1 pickup. Note the Fender logo on the cover and the Patent Applied For sticker on the pickguard
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The dual-pickup used on the humbucker version. All 1st and 2nd generation Fender Bullets pickups featured the code “016730” on the bottom plate, which was the Fender part number for the molded plastic bobbin
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According to John Page, around 1981, Fender acquired new Onsrud NC routers. Consequently, during a transitional period, it's likely that rosewood board necks were still being hand-finished, leading to a noticeable variation. In contrast, the maple necks remained consistent since they were produced using the new CNC routers.
Their headstock sported a serial number with the “E1” prefix, even though they were manufactured in 1982 and even 1983, along with the “MADE IN USA” label. Initially, “F” keys were used on these guitars, but they were later replaced with the Schaller Cast/Sealed tuning machines.
With the second generation of Fender Bullets, color choices expanded, including the addition of Brown Sunburst and Walnut for the S-2, S-3, and H-2 models. Furthermore, Black was also available as an extra cost option on these models, but never appeared in any ads or catalogs.
Their headstock sported a serial number with the “E1” prefix, even though they were manufactured in 1982 and even 1983, along with the “MADE IN USA” label. Initially, “F” keys were used on these guitars, but they were later replaced with the Schaller Cast/Sealed tuning machines.
With the second generation of Fender Bullets, color choices expanded, including the addition of Brown Sunburst and Walnut for the S-2, S-3, and H-2 models. Furthermore, Black was also available as an extra cost option on these models, but never appeared in any ads or catalogs.
SQUIER BULLETS
By late 1983, Fender decided to relocate the production of Bullet guitars to Japan and market them under the Squier brand. Japanese Squier Bullet guitars featured solid wood bodies and ceramic pickups, and they no longer had strings-through-body bridges.
The available finishes included Black and Sunburst. Some of these guitars had serial numbers that began with “SQ,” while others started with “E”. The available models included the Squier Bullet H-2, Squier Bullet S-3, Squier Bullet S-3T (two versions), and the Squier Contemporary Bullet HST.
In 1987, production of the Bullets was shifted to Korea, updating the Squier Bullet S-3T and the Squier Contemporary Bullet HST, and introducing the Squier Contemporary Bullet HSS.
It's important to note that, up to this point, the Bullet series was not yet a type of Stratocaster, although the 1987 Korean S-3T models bore a strong resemblance to it. The first true Bullet series Stratocaster was the Squier Bullet Stratocaster, which was manufactured in Korea starting from 1989. Subsequently, additional Bullet Stratocasters were produced in China and Indonesia, with production no longer taking place in Korea.
The available finishes included Black and Sunburst. Some of these guitars had serial numbers that began with “SQ,” while others started with “E”. The available models included the Squier Bullet H-2, Squier Bullet S-3, Squier Bullet S-3T (two versions), and the Squier Contemporary Bullet HST.
In 1987, production of the Bullets was shifted to Korea, updating the Squier Bullet S-3T and the Squier Contemporary Bullet HST, and introducing the Squier Contemporary Bullet HSS.
It's important to note that, up to this point, the Bullet series was not yet a type of Stratocaster, although the 1987 Korean S-3T models bore a strong resemblance to it. The first true Bullet series Stratocaster was the Squier Bullet Stratocaster, which was manufactured in Korea starting from 1989. Subsequently, additional Bullet Stratocasters were produced in China and Indonesia, with production no longer taking place in Korea.
