The Japanses Fernandes brand was first used in 1969 on flamenco guitars. The company expanded to produce a range of acoustic and electric models, and became Japan's largest maker of Fender copies. The 1970s Fernandes Stratocaster copies were well regarded. In 1992 Fernandes USA was established in Los Angeles, California and in 1996 the Fernandes USA Custom Shop was founded - but it has since closed.