Fender 1999 Broadcaster Leo Fender Commemorative #29 of 50
Fender 1999 Broadcaster Leo Fender Commemorative #29 of 50
Fender 1999. Broadcaster Leo Fender Commemorative. #29 of 50.
Custom Shop.
Built to 1950 Broadcaster specs,
2 Piece Ash Body in Butterscotch Blonde Finish.
1 Piece Highly Flamed Maple Neck, and Fretboard, 1-5/8" nut width, 25-1/2" scale.
2 Custom Shop Single Coil Pickups with Vintage-style Wiring. 3-Barrel Bridge.
Chrome Hardware.
Official Leo Fender Signature on Headstock (authorized by his estate).
From André R. Duchossoir's Collection.
André left us 17/11/2020. He was a very good friend, I miss him.
Read this article from Vintage Guitar Magazine: In Memoriam André Duchoissoir
https://www.vintageguitar.com/37663/andre-duchossoir/
Every guitar collector knows André's publications:
Fender Custom Shop Leo Fender Broadcaster Commemorative Edition
Before it was christened the Telecaster®, Fender's famous trademark design guitar was named the Broadcaster. Fender Musical Instruments, with the accompaniment of BBE Sound and Fred Gretsch Enterprises, introduces a limited edition Leo Fender Commemorative Broadcaster guitar. Fifty of these special tribute instruments were reproduced according to 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. And, 004 went to BBE Sound, then owner of G&L. The first rendition of this guitar was named Esquire® and featured a single pickup and no truss rod. After limited production and field testing, Fender realized 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, especially on the east coast, Don Randall, Fender's head of sales, chose a new name for the dual pickup version of the Esquire and named it the Broadcaster. So, without hesitation, Fender began shipping the new, improved dual pickup Broadcaster in place of the original Esquire. By attempting to give the Esquire its new name in such haste, Fender had caused unforeseen trouble. 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 upon Gretsch's registered Trademark used on their Broadkaster model drums, and that abdication of this name was warranted.
Upon receiving the telegram, Don Randall wrote a letter informing his entire sales force that the dual pickup Spanish guitar should no longer be referred to as the Broadcaster due to copyright infringement, and that an ideal name would be given to it in the near future. On February 23, 1951, Fender's F.C. Hall wrote the Fred Gretsch Co. informing them of the name change and apologized for any inconvenience.
