Fender

Founded in 1946 by Clarence Leonidas "Leo" Fender with headquarters in Arizona, Fender is an American manufacturer of stringed instruments and amplifiers, from acoustic guitars to bass amplifiers and much more.  

Fender is best known for solid-body electric guitars and bass guitars - Stratocaster ("Strat"), Telecaster ("Tele"), Precision Bass ("P-Bass"), and Jazz Bass ("J Bass").

(The full history of Fender can be found on Wikipedia.)

Fender Stratocaster

Genres often used in - Country, Reggae, Rock, Pop, Folk, Soul, R&B, Blues, Jazz, Punk, Heavy Metal

Fender Telecaster

Genres often used in - Country, Reggae, Rock, Pop, Folk, Soul, R&B, Blues, Jazz, Punk, Heavy Metal

Precision Bass

Jazz Bass

Fundamental in the development of such genres as  - Funk, Disco, Reggae, Blues, Progressive Rock, Heavy Metal, Jazz Fusion

Fender is as classic and iconic to instrumental manufacturing as Gibson and Les Paul.

From the sixth grade to my sophomore year in high school, I played the viola for school credit.  When I earned the credit, I backed out of my school's orchestra because I am not inclined toward stringed instruments.  However, I will always admire the electric guitar and bass guitar for their profound prominence in bands of so many genres.