logo

Fender launches the 70th anniversary Broadcaster

A throwback to before the time of the Tele…

When you purchase through affiliate links on Guitar.com, you may contribute to our site through commissions. Learn more.

Fender has launched the 70th Anniversary Broadcaster, a reproduction of the original solidbody guitar that preceded the Telecaster.

“Broadcaster” was the original name of the guitar model, but in early 1951, Gretsch requested that Fender desist from using the term as it had already been used for a line of Gretsch drums. For a while, the guitars bore no name on the headstock – only a Fender logo. These became the highly sought-after Nocasters. Fender then settled on the name “Telecaster”, and the rest is history.

The 70th Anniversary Broadcaster features many of the same specs found on the original. These include an ash body with Blackguard Blonde lacquer finish, period-correct black phenolic pickguard, a thick U-shaped neck, two Custom Shop-designed ’50-’51 Blackguard single-coils, a special anniversary neck plate and an embroidered case.

The controls are wired for standard Telecaster operation, but for true authenticity, there’s an included Broadcaster wiring kit, which can be installed to replicate the unique “blend” circuit used in original Broadcasters. Production of the 70th Anniversary Broadcaster will be limited to 2020 models only.

The Broadcaster was Fender’s first solidbody electric guitar with a truss rod and two pickups. Original models are thought to exist in numbers of less than 300, and hence are incredibly collectable.

The guitar lists for £2,009. Find out more over at fender.com.

Related Brands

Related Tags

logo

The world’s leading authority and resource for all things guitar.

© 2024 Guitar.com is part of NME Networks.