The Telecaster's famous origin story, as most Fender fans will know, can be traced back through the unnamed Nocaster era to a long-lost original moniker. Back in 1950, before Gretsch cried foul over its trademarked drum kit model name, Leo Fender's breakout solidbody guitar was dubbed the Broadcaster.
For the 70th anniversary, Fender's Broadcaster will hit the airwaves once again. Made in both a standard production run and via the Fender Custom Shop (in a limited 70-unit run), the 70th Anniversary Broadcaster reclaims a part of the company's history in all its original glory.
The blackguard-on-blonde cosmetics meet vintage-style pickup wiring and the old-school "Broadcaster" headstock logo. (Gretsch won't be taking issue this time around.) Built in the Corona, California plant, the production-run 70th Anniversary Broadcasters are available for pre-order now for $1,999 USD and will ship in February.
Alongside the Broadcasters, Fender is looking to recreate the vintage charm of its original 1964 Princeton Reverb amplifiers. With vintage models selling on Reverb for $1,500 to over $3,500, Fender is releasing a hand-wired reissue that promises to be "as close to the originals as possible," including solid pine cabinets, 10" Jensen speakers, and a tube tremolo circuit. The reissues will retail for $2,299.99 and will ship as early as January 20.
Rounding out Fender's retro offerings from NAMM 2020 are a pair of Telecasters being added to the nostalgia-tinged American Original series.
The American Original '70s Telecaster Custom features a CuNiFe humbucker—a rare, formerly out-of-production type of magnet—in the neck position. The alder body, nitrocellulose lacquer finish, and vintage-style hardware complete the classic look. It's available for pre-order now for $1,899.99 and is expected to ship in February.
The American Original '60s Telecaster Thinline is created with an eye toward Fender's earliest chambered electrics. The semi-hollow ash body will also be finished with nitrocellulose lacquer, while hardware like the barrel-saddle bridge and F-stamped tuners add to the vintage vibes, and the Shaw Pure Vintage 60S Tele single-coils will deliver vintage tone for decades to come. It's available for pre-order for $1,999.99 and ship in February as well.
For all the latest gear news and new product announcements from NAMM 2020, check our ongoing coverage here.