Broadcaster vs. early tele - differences??

[kb1rcefn]

I've read a bit, and heard a lot about "Broadcasters" - was there any real differences between them and the early 50's teles?? (aside from the name on the headstock) I've read there were only about "200" ever made - ? - I'd say a pretty rare thing!!! Anybody ever see one?? - play one?? (I guess at this point I can only dream!)

[Telemarkman]

The Broadcaster, Nocaster and the early Telecaster (until late '52) are more or less the same guitar. Aside from the headstock logo, the main difference (I think) were the knobs. The 1950's knobs were taller than the 1951-52 ones.

Also the '52 model got a thicker, more glossy finish than it's predecessors.

[PeterUK]

a copy of two books:

The Blackguard Book

and/or:

The Telecaster Bible

which will answer your questions.

The Broadcaster name was "dropped" from the Fender catalogue after a near dispute with Gretsch who had a drum range called "Broadkaster", and these ealy guitars differed in a number of respects:

1. Huge baseball bat necks
2. Broadcaster logo
3. Enclosed single line Klusons stamped with a patent numer
4. Slotted truss rod adjustment nut
5. No diagonal route under the body
6. Milled jack cups
7. Hotter bridge pick up
8. Limited use wiring: neck pick up without tone control to create boom bass sound

to name just a few differences.

No-one knows hopw many were made but Nacho Banos, author of The Blackguard book owns several originals and is a member of this Board.

Worth doing some research. You'll be hooked!

Peter

[PatrickG]

How hot could some of those Broadcaster pickups get? I've heard of bridge pups clocking in at 10k and up. However, The Blackguard Book doesn't mention this (unless I'm looking in the wrong place).

[kb1rcefn]

Originally Posted by PatrickG

How hot could some of those Broadcaster pickups get? I've heard of bridge pups clocking in at 10k and up. However, The Blackguard Book doesn't mention this (unless I'm looking in the wrong place).

Exactly! - that's one of the questions I guess I really had - how "hot" were these pickups?? + Does anybody know what one of these (Broadcaster) would be worth?? 'Gotta be BIG money!

[DavidE]

To look at the specs you wouldn't think Broads differed that much from early Tele's. But I will share with you that the sum of the parts tells a different story. Nacho just payed me a visit and he brought along two Broadcasters and an armful of early Tele bodies. I've seen a lot of early Teles so the bodies didn't hold any real surprises. But not so many Broads, and they're just different in every way you can imagine. Same guitar, same look, but completely different feel and a more aggressive sound. They are a handful tone-wise. A real man's guitar to say the least.

Necks are certainly not small but not huge either. Not huge like most '54s; more V shaped and very comfortable. But the striking thing is how completely different the shape is. Incredibly rolled over edge, right down into the side dots. Amazing. There is evidence of hand touches everywhere on the guitars...such as extra meat taken off the control cavity with a hand router to clear the pots and many other small things. And between the two Broadcasters they had totally different finishes from each other.

Regarding pickups, yes, even those were different. Different materials (vulcanized fiber plates vs. phenolic) and thinner bottom plates. While Nacho was here he put me to work rewinding pickups, including one of the Broadcaster neck pickups, another '51 neck pickup, and a NoCaster bridge pickup. I'll just say again, yes, this early stuff is very different and pickups are no exception. As for any lead pickups measuring in the 10K range I would bet those are rewinds.

Broadcasters are very special...I am a believer!

cheers,
David

[kb1rcefn]

Thanks for the info!! I suspected they had a bit of "growl" to them!!