Original: Clarence Leonidas '' Leo '' Fender ( August 10 , 1909 -- March 21 , 1991 ) was an American inventor who founded Fender Electric Instrument Manufacturing Company , now known as Fender Musical Instruments Corporation , and later founded MusicMan and G&L Musical Products ( G&L Guitars ) .
Simplified: Clarence Leonidas Fender ( August 10 , 1909 - March 21 , 1991 ) , also known as Leo Fender , was an American instrument maker .