Fender Unveils Limited Edition Broadcaster

Before it was christened the Telecaster®, Fender's famous trademark design guitar was named the Broadcaster. Fender Musical Instruments, with the accompaniment of BBE Sound and Fred Gretsch Enterprises, introduces a limited edition Leo Fender Commemorative Broadcaster guitar. Fifty of these special tribute instruments will be reproduced according to Leo's original design and materials from 1950.

The first rendition of this guitar was named Esquire® and featured a single pickup and no truss rod. After limited production and field testing, Fender realized the apparent need to reinforce the neck and began plans to fit the neck with a truss rod. By the time they were ready for full production, the decision was made to also include a second pickup.

Eager for an entry into new markets, especially on the east coast, Don Randall, Fender's head of sales, chose a new name for the dual pickup version of the Esquire and named it the Broadcaster. Despite the fact that salesmen had already placed orders for the initial catalog version of the Esquire, Fender truly believed that his best instruments should be in professional musician's hands immediately. So, without hesitation, Fender began shipping the new, improved dual pickup Broadcaster in place of the original Esquire. By attempting to give the Esquire its new name in such haste, Fender had caused unforeseen trouble. On February 20, 1951, the company received a telegram from the Fred Gretsch Manufacturing Co., stating that use of the Broadcaster name, was an infringement upon Gretsch's registered Trademark used on their Broadkaster model drums, and that abdication of this name was warranted.

Upon receiving the telegram, Don Randall wrote a letter informing his entire sales force that the dual pickup Spanish guitar should no longer be referred to as the Broadcaster due to copyright infringement, and that an ideal name would be given to it in the near future. On February 23, 1951, Fender's F.C. Hall wrote the Fred Gretsch Co. informing them of the name change and apologized for any inconvenience.

From that day on, Fender's first dual pickup guitar would no longer be referred to as the Broadcaster; at least not until today! By a collaboration of ideal forces: the Fender family, BBE and Fred Gretsch Enterprises, the Broadcaster is once again available from the Fender Custom Shop in limited quantity. The Leo Fender Commemorative Broadcaster features a premium solid ash body with original Blonde finish and highly figured maple neck. In place of the original Fender script logo, the headstock is adorned with replicated Leo Fender signature. All other features meticulously replicate those of the original Broadcaster, including neck shape, pickups, wiring and hardware. Each guitar comes with an original Tweed form-fit case, Plexiglas presentation case and a certificate of authenticity, signed by Leo's widow, Phyllis Fender; Fred Gretsch and Fender Chairman Bill Schultz. Also accompanying the guitar, courtesy of the Richard Smith archives, are reproduced historical documentation, including the original Broadcaster brochure, the telegram sent by the Fred Gretsch Co. and the letter Randall sent to his sales force requesting them to cease from using the Broadcaster name.