October 2007 \ Eye Candy \ Guitar of the Month \ 1950 Fender Broadcaster #0099

1950 Fender Broadcaster #0099

 Premier Guitar October 2007


This gorgeous guitar comes compliments of Johnny Edwards at Coffin Case, and is numbered #0099.

This was found in an Alaskan attic, and had one prior owner.



     

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Comments

 (38 comments) display by
UsernameComment
Mark Hammond
on 01/15/2012 		Well it seems that Dan Smith, who was on the board at Fender in 1949, is a filthy liar and SamAroonie22 and CoffinMan, who werent on the board at Fender in 1949 are absolutely correct, even though their facts are based on watered down hearsay. As you are both in the States, visit the Fender museum in Fullerton and see for yourselves. Yours sincerely, snide
Bassman254
on 11/28/2011 		Sorry to disagree but it's proven, documented fact that Broadcasters were only made during 1950 before the model was renamed Telecaster. Unfortunately, some statements made by Leo Fender concerning early Fender history with regards to the Esquires and Broadcasters have been found to be in error with written documentation provided by Fender employees (I'm a former employee though I did not work there during their heyday in the 1950's) and Fender historians. Prototypes that were to become the single pickup Esquire, the first model produced by Fender, were made during 1949. The one-pickup Esquire was introduced in early 1950. A two-pickup model, named the Broadcaster, was produced during the fall of 1950. Fender had to change "Broadcaster" to "Telecaster" in early 1951 after a telegram from Gretsch indicated their prior usage of the "Broadkaster" name on a line of drum kits.
Aaron
on 11/22/2011 		Until 4 years ago I owned broadcaster #9. My grandfather was a person friend of Leo Fender. Approx 350 broadcasters were made and the first ones were made in 1948. Fact from the man himself!
Snowcaster
on 12/13/2010 		I own 0284 and 0489.
Nothing compares to a Broadcaster.
Reggie B.
on 11/19/2010 		I'm afraid SamAroonie22 and Coffin are correct with their outlines of early Fender history. The first solid body guitars were produced in early 1950 - the black lacquered, one pickup Esquires, without truss rods in the neck. Before this time, at least 2 prototypes had been built and field-tested with local musicians to refine the design that would be named by Don Randall as the 'Esquire'. A few were made with 2 pickups as special orders for some local musicians but the vast majority of Esquires were one pickup models. Don Randall and the musicians who used the prototypes soon convinced Leo Fender that a professional guitar should have a truss rod in the neck. Leo eventually relented and, after a short hiatus in production, manufacturing of the guitars resumed with truss rods now being installed. At Don's suggestion, the two pickup model was soon named the 'Broadcaster' to differentiate it from the Esquire model. The only guitars made without truss rods were the Esquires. No Broadcaster models were produced without truss rods as the model name was not applied to the guitars until after Fender began to install the truss rods. All Broadcasters were only made during 1950. At the start of 1951, Fender had to discontinue the Broadcaster designation due to Gretsch's copyright claim on the name. This was all accurately outlined in the recently published book 'The Golden Age Of Fender' by Martin Kelly, Terry Foster and Paul Kelly and in the book 'The Fender Telecaster' by A.R. Duchossoir. It has been suggested that Leo Fender's statement that he thought only 50 or so Broadcasters were made before the Telecaster name took over was possibly his confusing the numbers of Broadcasters and the early Esquire models. Very few early black-painted, non-truss rod Esquire models were made and it's possible that no more than 50 or so them had been built before the change to truss rod equipped necks. It's certainly true that no Broadcasters were made at all in 1949. Not only had the model
SamAroonie22
on 11/18/2010 		Despite Mr. Hammond's snide remark, I will correct my estimate. It was based on several articles on the subject of the Broadcaster that have since been revised. The number I gave was based on a published interview with Leo Fender who stated that only about 50 Broadcasters were produced (in his opinion) before Gretsch contacted Fender claiming copyright on the name "Broadkaster" and asked Fender to stop using the name. Since then, it has been estimated that less than 200 Broadcasters were produced during 1950, the ONLY year that they were made. The only guitars made during 1949 were the single pickup Esquire prototypes. No guitars, other than lap steels, were released in 1949 for any kind of "Christmas" market. The rest of my comments stand. There have been several articles stating that the number of original Broadcasters in reasonably good condition claimed to be owned is too high to be accurate - some of them are surely forgeries. Check that facts before you make any more "fool" statements.
Michael
on 10/13/2010 		Does anyone know how much a refinished guitar changes the value vs. an untouched finish? What about replaced decals, parts, frets, etc.?
James
on 09/21/2010 		John, let me know if 0018 is for sale! jparrish@millerhanson.com
ringo
on 09/18/2010 		amen
Holly DeWeese
on 09/12/2010 		My Grandmother has her brother's Broadcaster. He died in 1952. His Broadcaster is numbered 48. What is the range of worth on something like that? I know it depends on the condition, but is there a ballpark?



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