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Fender
70th Anniversary Broadcaster with Maple Fingerboard - Blackguard Blonde
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In the fall of 1950, the world of guitar and popular music changed forever with the introduction of the Broadcaster, Fender's first solid body electric guitar with a truss rod and two pickups. A few short months later, a telegram from Gretsch, owner of the BroadKaster trademark, ended Fender's use of the name. For a short time, the word "Broadcaster" was simply clipped off the headstock decal - these guitars are known as "Nocasters". Thereafter, this revolutionary guitar was dubbed the Telecaster. Original Broadcaster models, of which only 250 are thought to have been produced, have become highly collectible.
The Fender 70th Anniversary Broadcaster celebrates the remarkable origins of one of Fender's most iconic models. Features include an ash body with Blackguard Blonde lacquer finish, period-correct black phenolic pickguard, thick "U"-shaped neck, Custom Shop-designed Original Blackguard pickups, special anniversary neck plate, embroidered case and a custom COA. The controls are wired for standard Telecaster operation, while an optional original Broadcaster wiring kit, included in the case, can be installed to replicate the unique "blend" circuit used in original Broadcasters. Production of the 70th Anniversary Broadcaster will be limited to 2020 only.
The Fender 70th Anniversary Broadcaster celebrates the remarkable origins of one of Fender's most iconic models. Features include an ash body with Blackguard Blonde lacquer finish, period-correct black phenolic pickguard, thick "U"-shaped neck, Custom Shop-designed Original Blackguard pickups, special anniversary neck plate, embroidered case and a custom COA. The controls are wired for standard Telecaster operation, while an optional original Broadcaster wiring kit, included in the case, can be installed to replicate the unique "blend" circuit used in original Broadcasters. Production of the 70th Anniversary Broadcaster will be limited to 2020 only.
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Reviews
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Simple, but excellent 0 of 0 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Fit and finish is top notch and the pickups are truly something special. This will be staying with me.
Posted by anonymous on Jan 8, 2022
The missing link 0 of 0 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Port Coquitlam, British Columbia
This guitar sounds amazing! The neck feels great. I've only had it a couple of weeks and used it on two songs in the studio and one at home. Worth every penny. And it doesn't hurt that she's stunning!
Posted by mike on Oct 3, 2021
Great Tele Twang 0 of 0 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Winnipeg (Wall St), Manitoba
This is truly a great guitar that will undoubtedly appreciate in value as the years go by. It's the recreation of the original guitar made by Leo Fender 70 years ago. The original solid body guitar that started it all. How can you beat that? It's a beautifully made guitar and the boys at the custom shop "knocked this out of the park" with the pickups on the broadcaster. If you're looking for some of that classic telecaster twang you hear on Vince Gill or Albert Lee records the pickups nail it. For that alone I'd buy the guitar. It's very lightweight and gorgeously made and I can't stop looking at it!
Posted by Jason on May 21, 2021
Used 70th anniversary Broadcaster 0 of 0 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Burlington, Ontario
I bought this used at the Burlington Long and Mcquade store which is why I gave the value a 5 star. The retail price for brand new was just a little rich for me but when I noticed they had a used one for substantially less I jumped at the opportunity. So glad I did. With the exception of a little bit of faint staining on the case it is flawless. I’ve tried u shaped necks on others reissue teles and found them to be cumbersome for my hands but the broadcasters neck is sublime. Tone wise it really seems to chime even unplugged. Yes the finish on the neck isn’t for everyone but some careful sanding by someone who knows what they’re doing will take care of that. If the price turns you off then look into used. Last month there were 12 L&M stores with a used model.
Posted by anonymous on Feb 5, 2021
if you love vintage fender specs... 1 of 1 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Regina, Saskatchewan
I picked one of these up back in June and it's become my go to telecaster. It came well set up out of the box and with no quality issues. I was looking for a 52 reissue to have a maple board tele to go along with my 64 rosewood board reissue. I realize not everyone likes a 7.25 radius, but if your looking for a vintage spec fender this one is awesome.
Posted by anonymous on Oct 18, 2020
Nice but... 5 of 7 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Toronto (Bloor St.), Ontario
To preface this, I will say that I own an American Performer Telecaster and that I could be biased.
Broadcaster Pros:
- neck / fantastic feel for my large hands, much fuller than my Performer with a modern C. I wasn't too crazy about the lacquered maple as it felt sticky
- craftsmanship / flawless!
Cons:
Weight / I swear it's half the weight of the Performer. I like heavy Teles. This felt like a toy almost.
-pickups / while adequate, I felt they were inferior to the greasy, meaty Yosemite sound
I am not sure it's the best value Tele out there. Fender is trying to milk the anniversary opp without providing much value for what will turn out to be a $3000 guitar, all in.
I loved the neck, but that's it. Even the Vintera would be my more immediate pick despite the noticeably lower quality work.
Just get the American Performer if you are after the best Tele 1600 bucks can buy.
Posted by Mile on Oct 7, 2020
Wow fantastic guitar 2 of 2 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Waterloo, Ontario
The guitars sounds so nice and plays beautifully if your a tele or in this case a broadcaster fan I would suggest to buy one I do not think you'll be disappointed. Other then all that all I gotta say is wow.Try one.
Posted by Les on Sep 17, 2020
Are you a Fan of Vintage Tele?s? 17 of 17 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Brampton, Ontario
If you are a fan of vintage Fender’s, you’ve found the right guitar!
For the record I’ve previously owned many US Tele’s including a 58 AVRI and The Page Mirror most recently.
I have also been following the release of the Broadcaster since it’s announcement in January 2020.
The neck is listed a U shape so it’s larger than the modern C however, it’s not a baseball bat sized neck. It just feels fuller. The maple neck clearcoat is darker than the American Series but not orange.
Pics online do not do the Broadcaster justice. I was floored by the grain patterns and colour of the both the body and neck.
BRAMPTON had just received the Guitar 2 days prior so I actually was able to be present for the unboxing from Fender.
I went in with the idea that I just wanted to view the guitar as I thought it wouldn’t be any different than my 2017 Fender Telecaster AVRI. It was more of let’s go see the pretty pound puppies and see how cute they are.
I spent the first 10 minutes visually inspecting the guitar for flaws. I couldn’t find any. So I then played it acoustically as every other Fender I’ve ever owned needed a setup before I was happy.
This one played like butter. If I hadn’t seen the unboxing, I wouldn’t have believed this was a factory setup.
I never plug in when judging a guitar as sometimes the amp gets in the way.
Within the first couple of minutes I knew the Broadcaster was coming home with me! I said goodbye to my AVRI and a Strat to make the purchase. That’s how much I loved the Broadcaster.
Shout out to BRAMPTON and fantastic service.
The 2020 Broadcaster is only available this year and likely won’t be in large numbers. If you’re at all interested in the Broadcaster, you won’t be disappointed.
Posted by Robert on Mar 4, 2020
Protect your investment with the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty
A warranty can be a very important factor when making a buying decision. Because repairs can be very expensive in terms of parts and labour costs, manufacturers usually only provide one year limited warranties that generally only cover items that malfunction due to a manufacturer’s defect. With an important purchase such as a musical
instrument or piece of studio gear, however, many people want to have the peace of mind in knowing that their investment will be protected should the product no longer be performing at 100%.
Because of this, Long & McQuade provides our customers with a FREE one-year Performance Warranty on most of our products. The Long & McQuade Performance Warranty supplements the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure that our customers receive complete “no hassle” warranty coverage within their first year.
How does the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty differ from most manufacturers' warranties?
- Performance Guarantee: Normal wear and tear is covered, so your product will be performing as well as the day you purchased it for the entire duration of the coverage. Band and Orchestral Performance Warranty does not include replacing pads or cleaning for woodwind instruments, unless deemed necessary by our repair staff. Ultrasonic cleaning for brass instruments will be provided if deemed necessary by our repair staff, but is not routinely offered under the Performance Warranty.
- Product Replacement: If your product cannot be fixed or costs too much to fix, we will replace it with the equivalent model for no additional charge. If this is not possible, a full refund will be provided.
- No Lemon Policy: Your product will be replaced should the same problem occur multiple times.
- Convenient: Easy drop off and pick up of the product at any Long & McQuade location.
- Guitar Setup: Guitars purchased at Long & McQuade come with 1 free setup, to be redeemed within 1 year for new guitars and 90 days for used guitars.
- Loaners Available: A loaner product may be given while the product is being repaired.
- Power Surge Protection: Your product is covered even if damaged from a power surge.
- Accessory Coverage: Any peripheral devices or accessories that come with your product (i.e. foot pedal, case) are also covered.
- Commercial Use Coverage: Music and recording professionals who purchase gear for “heavy-use” commercial purposes will still be covered.
Long & McQuade reserves the right to restrict the purchase of additional years of Performance Warranty. Used products come with a 3-month Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Some products (i.e. computers, software, cymbals and other items) are covered only by the manufacturer‘s warranty. Consumables (i.e. strings, reeds, drum sticks, batteries, tubes, cross faders) are excluded as they are designed to be replaced. Cosmetic Damage, Accidental Damage, or problems caused by Humidity or Temperature Issues are not covered. Speakers damaged by overpowering are generally not covered. Our coverage does not provide compensation for loss of use. As of June 2018 the Performance Warranty is no longer transferable. The warranty is only valid in Canada.
Purchasing additional years of coverage
Some manufacturers provide warranties for longer than 1 year; however, these are usually limited warranties that do not provide the same coverage as the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Customers interested in more complete and convenient (but not necessarily longer) coverage are still able to purchase additional years of the Performance Warranty.
If you are interested in receiving this coverage for longer than one year, you have the option of purchasing additional years of the Performance Warranty. The pricing is as follows:
- NEW products: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.
- USED products: 4% of the current new selling price to increase the warranty from 3 months to 1 year. 4% for each additional year.
- GUITARS: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year. $45 maximum. An additional free setup is not included with additional purchased years of Performance Warranty.
- BAND and ORCHESTRAL instruments: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.
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| Product | SKU | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| 70th Anniversary Broadcaster with Maple Fingerboard - Blackguard Blonde | 725989 |
