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.

Chapters
00:00 – Welcome to Inside the Noise
00:47 – Why Guitar Center Is Pulling Back the Curtain on the Music Industry
01:21 – A 1964 Fender Stratocaster: Gabe Dalporto’s First Guitar Story
02:49 – Meet Andy Mooney, CEO of Fender
03:01 – Leo Fender’s Legacy and the Birth of the Electric Guitar
04:16 – Form Follows Function: How Leo Fender Designed for Musicians
05:51 – Fender and Apple: Building Iconic Brands Through Innovation
06:35 – Every Product Is a Deposit or Withdrawal in Brand Equity
07:19 – Expanding Fender Beyond Guitars: Pedals, Acoustasonic, and More
07:52 – Reimagining the Acoustic Guitar the Leo Fender Way
09:14 – The Fender Acoustasonic: Blending Acoustic and Electric Worlds
10:30 – Inside Fender Factories: Craftsmanship Behind Every Instrument
11:03 – Fender Custom Shop Stories and One-of-a-Kind Guitars
13:27 – Why Tinkering and Experimentation Still Define Fender
13:44 – Fender’s Vision: Respecting the Past While Designing the Future
14:50 – How Modern Artists Are Shaping Fender Guitar Innovation
15:04 – Digital Amps, Silent Stages, and the Future of Live Guitar Rigs
16:18 – Fender Tone Master Pro and Designing for Simplicity
17:23 – Andy Mooney’s Favorite Guitars and Playing Styles
19:23 – Why Fender Employees Still Gig and Play Live Music
21:01 – What Fender and Guitar Center Share in Company Culture
22:13 – Optimism for the Guitar Industry and the Future of Music
23:39 – Final Takeaways: Innovation, Legacy, and the Enduring Power of Music
24:35 – Subscribe for More Inside the Noise Episodes