The Fender "Bullet" History

The following text originated from cjones' Fender Bullet Appreciation website.

Quick Overview:

  • 1981-82: Fender introduces a new line of "student" guitars to replace the outgoing Mustangs and Musicmasters
  • First Versions marketed.
    • Single cutaway Tele-shaped bodies with Rosewood necks. Headstocks had the Tele-style headstock profile.
    • 2 versions: Bullet Deluxe and Bullet (standard)
    • The standard Bullet had a metal pickguard-bridge combo with separate saddles. The Deluxe has a plastic pickguard with a separate, traditional type hardtail bridge.
    • Both had 2 single coil pickups with a 3-way selector switch
    • Available in red and cream (off-white) only
    Photo from the 1982 Fender full line catalog
  • 1982 (June): Second Version introduced including 2 bass models, although too late to make the '82 Fender Catalog.
    • Double cutaway Strat-shaped bodies, although a little smaller, with maple necks. Headstocks retained the Tele-style profile.
    • 5 versions: Bullet, Bullet Deluxe (S-2), S-3, H-1, and H-2
    • 2 Bass models: Regular scale "B-34" and short scale "B-30"
    • The standard Bullet had the previous style metal pickguard-bridge combo with 2 single coils and 3-way switch. The Deluxe (S-2) had a plastic pickguard and separate hardtail bridge with the same pickup configuration. The new S-3 had a separate plastic guard, traditional hardtail bridge, and 3 single coils with a 5-way switch. The H-1 sported the metal guard-bridge combo with one humbucker. It has a coil tapping button. The H-2 had a plastic guard, traditional hardtail bridge, and 2 humbuckers each with their own coil tapping button. No American bullets had tremelo bridges.
    • The basses each had plastic guards and traditional bridges. They had the old Mustang Bass style pickups. They differed only in scale.
    • Color choices expanded with the 2nd line of Bullets. You could now get red, cream, sunburst, or translucent brown.
    • By 1984-5, the decision was made to transfer production of the Bullet line to Japan. They would henceforth carry the name, "Squier Bullet." Under "Squier," the Bullet line would expand adding options such as tremelo bridges, etc., and additional colors including black. Production would also eventually shift from Japan to other countries as well.
    The owner's manual for the 2nd line of Bullet Guitars The Bullet Bass owner's manual