FENDER ELECTRIC INSTRUMENT COMPANY, FULLERTON, 1950

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THE FENDER BROADCASTERWith the success of Leo Fender’s first solid-body electric guitar, the single pickup Esquire, the need for a two pickup model became quickly apparent. Though a few two pickup Esquires were produced in 1950, upgrades to Leo Fender’s first solid body electric guitar were proving necessary, the most important being a neck reinforced with a truss rod. These refinements were carried out in the fall of 1950 and the two pickup Esquire was renamed the Broadcaster. Reaction from the market place was swift and positive with Fender selling 152 Broadcasters within the first two months of 1951. Following a full-page advertisement in February’s Musical Merchandise magazine announcing the new Broadcaster model, Fender’s sales distribution arm received a telegram which would force Fender to change the name of the Broadcaster.

FENDER ELECTRIC INSTRUMENT COMPANY, FULLERTON, 1950

A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, BROADCASTER

Details

FENDER ELECTRIC INSTRUMENT COMPANY, FULLERTON, 1950
A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, BROADCASTER
The peghead with decal logo Fender BROADCASTER, the bridge plate stamped FENDER PAT. PEND. 0053, with original hardshell case bearing a label inscribed FENDER BROADCASTER #0053 '50 and SERIAL NO. DG1010; accompanied by a facsimile copy of the original sales invoice from California Guitar to Mr. Dave Gilmour, dated 15th December 1979
Length of back 15 ¾ in. (40 cm.)

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Lot Essay

David Gilmour purchased this guitar in December 1979 from Frank Lucido of California Guitar in Ventura, California, during a brief interlude between completing final recording and mixing sessions for Pink Floyd’s 1979 album The Wall at Producer's Workshop in Los Angeles in November 1979 and beginning rehearsals for the upcoming Wall Tour in January 1980. Gilmour liked the guitar’s GHS Boomer strings, which were subsequently fitted to his Fender Stratocasters and Telecasters ahead of The Wall Tour and remain his strings of choice to this day. Gilmour kept this guitar for studio use.

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