1999 Fender Custom Shop Leo Fender Commemorative Broadcaster

1999 Fender Custom Shop Leo Fender Commemorative Broadcaster

This is a very fine Fender Custom Shop Leo Fender Broadcaster Commemorative Edition #23 of 50. It is a rare Custom Shop guitar from 1999, built to 1950 Broadcaster specs with butterscotch blonde finish on a nicely grained Ash body with attractively grained Flame Maple neck. 1-5/8″ nut width with  25-1/2″ scale length. Two Fender Custom Shop single coil pickups with vintage-style wiring. Chrome hardware throughout with three-barrel bridge. There is the official Leo Fender signature on the headstock (authorised by his estate) and a lovely collection of special commemorative paperwork. The Fender Custom Shop certificate bears the signatures of Phyllis Fender (Leo’s widow), Fred Gretsch (see below for the Gretsch connection) and Fender’s William Schultz. Only fifty of these special tribute instruments were made echoing Leo’s original design and materials from 1950. Number 001 went to the Fender Museum. 002 went to Phyllis Fender 003 went to Fred Gretsch.  The history of the model; the original edition of this guitar was named Esquire and featured a single pickup and no truss rod. After limited production and field testing, Fender realised 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, Fender’s head of sales named it the Broadcaster. 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 of Gretsch’s registered trademark used on their Broadkaster model drums, and that use of this name must cease. Fender immediately complied with the request and the Fender Broadcaster was no more. Instead it temporarily became the ‘Nocaster’ and then, permanently, the Telecaster. This example is in lovely condition and comes complete with the commemorative nameplate that was issued with USA home-market examples to go with the wall display case which was also included in America. Exported examples, like this one, did not have the wall display case. With shaped Fender tweed hard case. In addition to being a wonderful guitar, this Leo Fender Commemorative Broadcaster (number 23 of only 50 made) must also be a fine long-term investment.

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