While Their Guitars Gently Weep

Frequently trotted out as some sort of consolation prize/silver lining, stats showing interest in learning an instrument and, by extension, in music itself, where supposed to be the mitigating factor in the continuously bleak saga of dwindling numbers for pre-recorded music sales. But it turns out the recession of the late '00s--from which we have not completely recovered--put a significant dent in instrument sales. So, despite their large market share, Fender Musical Instruments--makers of the iconic Stratocaster and Telecaster guitars, respectively--have not been immune to the downturn.