The Bizarre Fate of the Very First "Fender Broadcaster"

1. Steel Bridge Saddle

While brass saddles were generally the standard for Fender models from November 1950 through the summer of 1954, this particular instrument features a steel saddle. This is irrefutable proof that this guitar was manufactured in the “very earliest” period. When compared to later models, such as the No-Caster, the difference in color due to aging is immediately apparent.

2. Winterbottom Bone Nut

A bone nut—the type Fender sourced from Winterbottom, Sammer & Sons in New Jersey at the time—remains on this instrument. Normally, since these are installed before the neck is lacquered, traces of the original finish would remain; however, none are visible here. While it is possible that it was replaced at a later date, it is also possible that the finish naturally peeled off during final factory adjustments by craftsmen of that era or over the course of more than 70 years of maintenance. This mystery adds to the romance and intrigue unique to vintage instruments.

3. Remarkable Original Condition

Due to the nature of vintage instruments, we cannot offer an absolute guarantee; however, from the wood and finish to the hardware, there are no visible signs of major repairs or part replacements. Remarkably, although several saddle height adjustment screws are missing, we have chosen to preserve the instrument as-is without making any alterations, guided by our commitment to “prioritizing its current excellent playability and originality above all else.”

4. Spaghetti Logo and Early-Model Hardware

The headstock features the familiar “spaghetti” logo, round tension guides, and flathead screws used throughout the instrument.

5. Small Frets

The original small frets from that era remain intact, showing authentic wear that tells the story of the instrument’s history of actual use.

6. Kluson “Early Single-Line” Tuners

The tuners are Kluson “Single Line” models. In fact, the first tuners ever installed on Kluson instruments were the Single Line type. Although they later switched to the “No Line” design, they quickly reverted to the Single Line. The definitive way to distinguish between early and late Single Line models is that the shaft “does not pass through” the back on early models, whereas it “passes through” on late models. Needless to say, this instrument is an early model where the shaft does not pass through.

7. V-Shaped Neck with an Exquisite Grip

The neck is V-shaped, but it’s not just a simple V—it offers a solid grip, and the edges retain just the right amount of thickness. You can clearly feel the difference from the “sharp-edged V-shape” often seen on reissue models; this is a testament to the craftsmanship of the artisans of that era.

8. Truss Rod Cap with Flat-Head Screws

The truss rod cap features a flathead screw, a design Recruit only for a very short period—from its release in 1950 until around 1952.

9. Signature in the Neck Pocket

On the joint where the neck is detached (on the body side), a handwritten note from that era reading “Fred 35 Minutes” can be seen, giving a vivid sense of the manufacturing process. I can’t help but wonder—did Fred finish it in 35 minutes?

10. Body Without an Extra Cavity

This is another defining feature of the very earliest Broadcasters. The hole running from the front pickup to the control cavity was drilled with a long drill bit.

11. Nail Holes

At the time, Fender’s paint process used lacquer-based finishes for everything from the undercoat to the topcoat. For these nail holes, nail-like pins were driven into the body in 3–4 places before painting. First, the top of the body was painted; then, with the top surface—where the pins were driven—facing down, the back of the body was painted. Thanks to the pins, the top surface never came into contact with the base.

12. Control Knobs

The Telecaster uses chrome-plated cylindrical knobs.The very earliest knobs, from around 1950–1951, have a rounded top, though the curve is relatively gentle. Subsequently, through 1953, the top evolved into a dome-shaped knob with a more pronounced curve. By the late 1950s, knobs with a flat top were being used, making this a part of the design that underwent many changes even within the 1950s.

・CRL switches

・Clarostat Potentiometer

Clarostat potentiometers used from around 1950 to 1954 have the date printed on the body in black or blue. As a result, many of these markings have faded and are no longer visible.

・Capacitor

Since the Broadcaster lacks tone controls, a Cornell Dubler 0.05 MFD capacitor is used for the front pickup’s preset high-cut filter.

・String Ferrules

Since the Telecaster routes the strings through the back of the body, bushings are embedded in the body to secure the strings. The official name for these is “string ferrules.” Until around 1959, they were flush with the body’s surface.