MusicMan was founded in Fullerton California in 1974 by Forrest White with Leo Fender, still under a non-compete agreement until 1975, as a silent partner. Tom Walker was involved in amp and electronic desing.,
MusicMan’s first products were amplifiers, but soon basses and guitars appeared, starting with the Stingray models.
Amplifiers were built by MusicMan, but the guitars and basses were built by CLF Research – standing for Clarence Leo Fender – and shipped to MusicMan for approval.
By 1979, production problems and payment delays caused friction between MusicMan and CLF and the relationship ended. CLF started building for G&L – another partnership between Leo Fender and George Fullerton.
MusicMan was sold to Ernie Ball in 1984, and continues now as Ernie Ball MusicMan.
