William Schultz

William Schultz turned the struggling Fender Musical Instrument Corporation into an industry leader after purchasing the famed guitar company from CBS in 1985. Born in McKeesport, PA on July 30, 1926, he began playing the saxophone professionally before World War II and then opened his own musical instrument repair business within the Progressive Music store. He later joined Yamaha Musical Products Co., rising to president before being lured to CBS Musical Instruments, a division of the broadcasting company. He served many roles within the industry including on the boards the American Music Conference and the NAMM Foundation’s Museum of Making Music. His understanding of the music business seemed second nature and his concern for those he worked with became a well-respected example of the family atmosphere he brought to Fender.