FENDER ELECTRIC INSTRUMENT COMPANY, FULLERTON, 1950, A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, BROADCASTER

FENDER ELECTRIC INSTRUMENT COMPANY, FULLERTON, 1950
A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, BROADCASTER
The peghead with decal logo Fender BROADCASTER, the bridge plate stamped FENDER PAT. PEND. 0053, with original hardshell case bearing a label inscribed FENDER BROADCASTER #0053 '50 and SERIAL NO. DG1010; accompanied by a facsimile copy of the original sales invoice from California Guitar to Mr. Dave Gilmour, dated 15th December 1979
Length of back 15 ¾ in. (40 cm.)

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Pre-Lot Text
THE FENDER BROADCASTER
With the success of Leo Fender’s first solid-body electric guitar, the single pickup Esquire, the need for a two pickup model became quickly apparent. Though a few two pickup Esquires were produced in 1950, upgrades to Leo Fender’s first solid body electric guitar were proving necessary, the most important being a neck reinforced with a truss rod. These refinements were carried out in the fall of 1950 and the two pickup Esquire was renamed the Broadcaster. Reaction from the market place was swift and positive with Fender selling 152 Broadcasters within the first two months of 1951. Following a full-page advertisement in February’s Musical Merchandise magazine announcing the new Broadcaster model, Fender’s sales distribution arm received a telegram which would force Fender to change the name of the Broadcaster.