Fender guitar factory in Corona to open for tours

Corona's famed Fender guitar factory will open for public tours, starting Monday.
For guitar fans, the plant is a kind of rock 'n' roll mecca, where Fender's highest quality, trademark Stratocasters and Telecasters are put together.
From now until the end of the year, tours will be free on Mondays and Tuesdays and Thursdays and Fridays at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
An 8,600-square-foot visitor center, open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. all weekdays but Wednesday, is filled with memorabilia from the company Leo Fender started in Fullerton in 1938.
With the introduction of the Stratocaster in 1954, he would eventually grow the privately held company into the only U.S. electric guitar maker to rival Tennessee-based Gibson.
The dozens of guitars covering the walls tell a virtual rock 'n' roll history from the instrument's point of view, ranging from Dick Dale's surf guitar to a replica of Eddie Van Halen's “Frankenstein” guitar, created with odd parts on Stratocaster body.
For the first time, customers can select parts — necks, electronics, finishes — for their own custom guitars.
The plant is at 301 Cessna Circle. Visitors need to be at least 9 years old, and those taking tours need to wear closed-toe shoes.