COOL STUFF TO KNOW
This little gem is a clone of a 1949 Fender Broadcaster Prototype #1
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| the first fender prototype |
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| note the scratches from the first ever ashtray cover |
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| Finished & For Sale 1950 |
They made 5 prototypes in 1949. The 'snake head'...then the same one but with the classic Tele inline headstock which they sold a few from the factory floor.T
The 3rd had 2 knobs on a plate but mounted behind the bridge...the last prototype #5 moved that plate to the side.
The 5th prototype was the 1950 finished model.
The few guys who bought the second prototype with a pine body no truss rod but the 6 in a line headstock were part of the early Rock-a billy scene. They travelled up to Canada then back down to the deep South just to make a living.
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Prototype #4 ...for sale at the factory just knock at the back door |
The maple neck had no truss rod...the drastic temperature changes from their travel forced Leo to add an adjustable truss rod. The body was pine so it got bruised easily from knocking the guitar around in the dark small clubs with tiny stages.
Alder was cheap and light enough and did a good job on absorbing the knocks. Leo had some very smart gutsy employees who pushed him for these improvements..
The whole effort took the right leader (Leo) the right team and at the right time to pull it off.
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prototype #2 |
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prototype #3 |
Harmony sued him for using the name so it was dropped after only being used for a couple of months.
It was sold without a name. It is historically referred to as the 'Nocaster'...then in the autumn it became the Telecaster.
Over the years the pickups have had their output increased and the bridge have been improved with 6 saddles over just 3. ...but visually the guitar is much the same.
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