Master Builder Apprentice, Gretsch na Fender

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (“FMIC”) is located in Corona, CA. Our brand mission is to accompany each player at every stage with products and brand experiences that fuel the pursuit of musical expression.

We are searching for a Master Builder Apprentice to join our Custom Shop team in Corona, CA. This position supports our world-renowned Master Builders by assisting in the hands-on creation of guitars of the highest quality and craftsmanship. The Master Builder Apprentice performs detailed work across multiple disciplines, including woodworking, assembly, relicing, finishing, and setup. This role is ideal for a highly skilled craftsman with a passion for guitar building and the Fender legacy.

Essential Functions

• Sand and shape guitar necks and bodies in whitewood to exacting Custom Shop standards.
• Prepare necks for assembly, including fret dressing, relicing, tuner and decal installation.
• Prepare bodies for assembly, including buff and polish, dressing neck pockets, relicing, and installing controls and outputs.
• Assemble guitars, including installation of necks, pickguards, pickups, and wiring.
• Perform relicing and buffing operations on necks and bodies to achieve vintage-correct finishes.
• Wire, solder, and assemble pickguards and control circuits, interpreting wiring diagrams accurately.
• Maintain a clean, organized workspace and follow all safety procedures and environmental regulations.
• Inspect guitars at each stage of the process to ensure Master Built quality standards are met.
• Collaborate closely with Master Builders and production teams to meet build timelines and quality goals.
• Perform work as needed in Neck/Body Mill, Paint, Buff & Polish, or Final Assembly areas within the Custom Shop.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in guitar building, tuning, or woodworking/paint processes, preferably within Fender.
• Strong working knowledge of guitar construction, subassembly, and finishing.
• Skilled in sanding, shaping, fret dressing, wiring, soldering, and setup of Fender or Gretsch-style guitars.
• Experience reading and interpreting technical drawings and wiring diagrams.
• Excellent attention to detail, organizational, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to work independently while maintaining a high level of craftsmanship and precision.
• Ability to adhere to safety procedures, rules, and regulations at all times, and to wear personal protective equipment while on the factory floor, including, without limitation: safety glasses, gloves, earplugs, paint suits, respirators, and protective footwear.

About Fender Musical Instruments:

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) is one of the world’s leading musical instrument manufacturers, marketers and distributors, whose portfolio of brands includes Fender®, Squier®, Gretsch®, Jackson®, EVH®, Charvel®, among others. For more information, visit www.fender.com. FMIC offers a competitive benefits package which includes medical, dental, 401(k), paid time off, and an equipment purchase program to help you get the band back together. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, disability, veterans’ status, sexual orientation, or any other protected factor.

Fender is required by law in certain jurisdictions to include a pay scale in the job posting for this position.  “Pay scale” means the salary or hourly wage range that Fender reasonably expects to pay for this position; it is neither a promise nor a guarantee of the compensation that the successful candidate will receive.  The pay scale for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that Fender considers in making compensation decisions, including, without limitation: skill set, experience, and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.  If this is a remote position, the pay scale disclosed herein may be adjusted further based upon the applicable geographic differential associated with the location from which the successful candidate will work.  Please note that it is not typical for a Fender employee to be at or near the top of the pay scale for their role – especially as a new hire – and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.  Subject to the foregoing, the current pay scale for this position is $25/hr to $30/hr.

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