Raymunda Millan attaches steel strings to a Stratocaster at the Fender manufacturing plant in Corona. The company’s electric guitars have a worldwide following. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)
Isidro Gomez prepares a carved wood body of a guitar for painting. Fender’s Corona facility is weathering -- but not unaffected by -- current economic troubles. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)
Victor Lozano test plays a new Stratocaster, the final step in the process of manufacturing Fender guitars. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)
Professional musician Steven McMorran looks at a new bass guitar in the showroom of the Corona facility. The photograph on the wall shows the Rolling Stones in their earlier years playing Fender guitars. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)
