Fender Custom Shop Limited Edition 70th Anniversary Broadcaster Journeyman Relic Nocaster Blonde

Fender changed the music world forever in October 1950 with the first dual-pickup electric Spanish guitar—the Broadcaster. The instrument vaulted Fender into the mainstream of electric guitar, with gorgeous features and smart innovations including an ash body with a translucent blonde nitrocellulose finish, sturdy maple neck with rear-installed truss rod for solid stability (with a walnut “skunk stripe”), single-ply black phenolic pickguard, two loud-and-clear pickups and versatile wiring for three distinctive tone settings. Revolutionary as it was, however, the Broadcaster was short lived—produced only for a couple months until January 1951 because of an already-existing trademark on the name held by the Fred Gretsch Manufacturing Company, Inc. 

Now, for 2020 alone, the Custom Shop has resurrected this famously rare guitar in honor of its 70th anniversary. The Limited Edition 70th Anniversary Broadcaster has a two-piece select ash body with off-center seam finished in the original “flash coat” lacquer. The one-piece rift-sawn maple neck has a 1950 Broadcaster profile, 7.25”-9.5” vintage compound-radius fingerboard and 21 medium vintage frets. Other features include hand-wound ’50-’51 Blackguard pickups with ’51 modded “Nocaster” wiring (similar to the original, with blender pot and slightly brighter rhythm setting in the neck position). The guitar comes with a “case candy” kit containing a 70th anniversary neck plate, Fat ’50s control assembly and original Broadcaster sales flyer reprint. Also includes deluxe hardshell case, strap and certificate of authenticity. 

Model Number: 9235001121
Serial Number: R107415
Finish Package: Journeyman
Case: Fender Custom Shop Tweed
Weight: 7lbs 5.9oz

Body Wood: Ash
Body Color: Nocaster Blonde
Body Finish: Flash Coat Lacquer
Sort for Lightweight: Yes

Hardware Plating: Chrome/Nickel
Bridge Assembly: Tele 51-54
Output Assembly: Vintage Tele
Control Assembly: 51 Modern Nocaster
Neck Plate: 70th Anniversary Broadcaster
Tuner Keys: Vintage w/Fender Logo
String Guide: Vintage Disk 50-55
String Gauge: .010-.046

Neck Assembly: 51 Nocaster Closet Classic
Neck Finish: Medium Tint Flash Coat Lacquer
Neck Blank: Rift Sawn Maple w/Walnut Skunk Stripe
Fingerboard: Rift Sawn Maple
Truss Rod: 50s
Head Style: Tele
Neck Head Thickness: 0.575"
Neck Scoop: 51
Dot Spacing: Narrow
Face Dot: Micarta Black .250
Side Dot: Micarta Black 3/32"
Fret Wire: Medium Vintage
Number of Frets: 21
Fingerboard Radius: 7.25"-9.50" Compound Radius
Neck Back Shape: 1950 Blackguard
Neck Nut Width: 1.630"
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: .925"
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: 1.00"
Neck Butt Width: 2.200"
Nut Material: Bone
Number of Bolts: 4 Bolt
Head Cap Decal: Broadcaster

Pickguard: 51 Nocaster
Pickup Neck: Hand-wound 50-51 Blackguard Neck
Pickup Bridge: Hand-wound 50-51 Blackguard Bridge
Switch Tip: American Vintage Tele
Control Knobs: Nocaster Chrome