Fender Broadcaster 1950

No sales tax for US customers outside California.

This 1950 Fender Broadcaster is a true player’s-grade example of one of the most important electric guitars ever made. Built during Fender’s first months of solidbody production—before the name was changed to Telecaster—the Broadcaster represents the birth of modern electric guitar design.

This example has seen a good bit of work, retaining the original pickups that give it unbelievably good tone.  Tom Brantley re-wound the bridge pickup for me as it had an open short on arrival.  The neck pickup is in original condition.

It plays great and sounds absolutely amazing.  All three pickup positions sound incredible, and the middle position just kills me!

The body has been refinished.  The frets were changed, and the fretboard planed in the process.  The fretboard was oversprayed after the refret.  The back of the neck, headstock, and heel all have the original finish intact.  The shape of the back of the neck is unadulterated.

The neck heel has the original, famous mark of the man who shaped the early necks - "Thadio G 11/29/50".  You can also see the correct slot-head truss rod nut in the pictures. 

There are no routes, holes, or other oddball changes to the body.  It has all the features that are correct as a Broadcaster.

The tuners are double-line Klusons, from a 60's Fender.  The bridge and bridge cover are original, as are the saddles and intonation screws.  The saddle springs are replacements.  All the screws on the guitar are original except for the tuner mounting screws and the string tree screw.  The string tree is original.  The pickguard is not original.  The knobs are original, as is the switch tip and the control plate.  The pots and switch are changed.  The guitar is wired like a contemporary Tele.  The output jack cup is the original, milled unit.  

The case is a repro Fender "Poodle Case".  

So, yes - this one has been through it, but its a killer, and with the prices of original Broadcasters (if you can even find one) this guitar is still a valuable piece.  

Be sure to check out the other cool guitar related stuff on our site:
Vintage Fender Guitars, Fender Amplifiers Collection, effects pedal department, and my new blog page.

At Mahar’s Vintage Guitars, every instrument is expertly inspected, honestly described, and professionally set up. Trades welcomed—we buy vintage instruments.

• Color: Butterscotch Blonde
• Weight: 8lbs 5.5oz
  
• Body: Ash
  
• Body Date/Code: See Pics
• Neck: Maple
  
• Neck Date/Code: See Pics
• Fretboard: Maple
  
• Inlays: Black Dot
  
• Frets: Original
  
• Fret Count: 21
  
• Nut: Original
  
• Nut width: 1-5/8"
  
• Radius: 7.25'
  
• Scale: 25.5"
  
• Neck thickness at 1st Fret: .82"
• Neck thickness at 12th Fret: .97"
• Action 1st String at 12th Fret: 2/32"
  
• Action 6th String at 12th Fret: 2/32"
  
• Overall length: 38 1/4"
  
• Lower bout: 12 5/8"
  
• Waist: 8 13/16"
  
• Upper bout: 10 3/4"
  
• Body depth/thickness outside edge: 1 3/4"
  
• String gauge: .010"-.046"
  
• Hardware Color: Nickel
• Pickguard: Non Original
• Bridge Pickup/Brand: Fender Tele Bridge, Re wound 11/2025
• Pickup Reading: 6.42k
• Original?: Yes
• Neck Pickup/Brand: Fender Tele Neck
• Pickup Reading: 7.51k
• Original?: Yes
  
• Bridge: Original
• Tuners: Original
• Knobs: Original
  
• Switch: Non Original 3 Way
• Pots/Codes: Non Original
• Case: Brown Poodle
• Notes: 

Shipping policy:

There are multiple shipping cost options for purchases made on our site.  Select Ground, 3 Day, 2 Day, or Next Day Air Saver.  For Reverb purchases, there is one cost option for these Eastern states and shipment will be made by UPS three-day-air.  Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions.  If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to sales@maharsvintageguitars.com.  Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.