Fender Custom Shop's Mike Lewis on the Broadcaster's 70th anniversary
Everything you need to know about Fender's landmark 1950 solid body guitar and its reissue
The Virtual Guitar Festival: The Fender Broadcaster emerged in the Autumn of 1950 as Fender's first solid body electric guitar with a truss rod and two pickups. After Gretsch objected to the similarity with its own BroadKaster trademark, its name would eventually change to the Telecaster we know and love today. But what about those original Broadcaster models and their reissue? Well they're a very distinct proposition.
With the release of the 70th anniversary Broadcaster guitar, we sat down with Fender Custom Shop VP of Product Development Mike Lewis to talk about the then and now of the Broadcaster story in the video above. And we go deep on its build and why it's not a Telecaster under a different name to an insightful discussion.
For more on the different options available for the 70th anniversary Broadcaster head to Fendercustomshop.com and Fender.com.
Check out more of the Virtual Guitar Show
Get the MusicRadar Newsletter
Want all the hottest music and gear news, reviews, deals, features and more, direct to your inbox? Sign up here.

“The mini humbucker fits into the same sized pickup cavity as a P-90 and delivers low-noise humbucking pickup performance and a slightly brighter and more open tone”: Gibson remixes the Les Paul Special with mini humbuckers

“Exceptional performance, sound, and style at an incredible value.”: Gretsch unveils trio of limited edition Streamliner electrics that offer Bigsby wobble, semi and hollow-bodied rock ’n’ roll mojo for $699