Originally Steve Morse of the Dixie Dregs was the first endorser of the guitar and premiered it at the NAMM International Music & Sound Expo in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Lead Guitars were manufactured between 1979 and 1982 by the Fender Musical Equipment Co. under the direction of Gregg Wilson and Freddie Tavares.

The Lead Series were manufactured at Fender's Fullerton, California plant and priced below the Stratocaster models of the time (approx.

These Made in Mexico recreations sport an alder body, two slanted alnico V single coils (Lead II), alnico II humbuckers (Lead III) and a modern C-shaped maple neck with maple or pau ferro fretboard, 9.5” radius, 22 medium jumbo frets.

Other features include a synthetic bone nut, "F" tuners and a string-through-body bridge with block saddles.