FROM THE FACTORY FLOOR – EPISODE 2: PORTUGAL. THE MAN

While Portugal. The Man is probably best known for their unstoppable 2017 hit single “Feel It Still,” the group has been working together for over two decades, delighting audiences with their infectious songs and thrilling live performances. And despite all that time spent honing his craft and playing a variety of different guitars, frontman John Gourley cheerfully admits that he’s no expert on how the instruments that drive the sound of his band get transformed from slabs of wood into high-performance works of art.

So it was our pleasure to invite John and the other members of Portugal. The Man into our Corona, CA factory for a behind-the-scenes tour and show them all the care and consideration that goes into making Fender guitars and basses. “I come from a construction and painting background, very working class. I like to see how things are made,” Gourley says. “And honestly, seeing people sand these necks, put in the frets, doing every step of the production, it makes you feel so much more confident in your feelings when you pick up a guitar and you go, ‘This is the one.’”

During his visit to the factory, Gourley also met with Master Builder Dennis Galuszka and discussed constructing his own custom model – a Telecaster Thinline with an extra horn cutaway that’s loaded with colorful designs to mimic the stickers and hand-drawings he put on his first guitars. “I’ve always done art on our guitars,” he explains. “I think it’s important to make the guitar yours.” And Gourley’s Tele is definitely unlike any other – perfectly suited to his personality and playing style. 

Check out this episode to get a look at John Gourley’s unique custom model and then see it in action when Portugal. The Man delivers a special performance of their songs “V.I.S.” and “Evil Friends” in the final assembly area of the factory – the place where all the finishing touches are put on every American-made Fender. It’s the perfect location to hear what happens when these extraordinary instruments are put into the hands of rock stars.