The Original Tele (with a Few Custom Shop Enhancements)
Celebrate the origin of the Telecaster — one of the most iconic solidbody electric guitars on the planet — with the Fender Custom Shop Limited Edition 70th Anniversary Broadcaster Relic. A 2-piece slab of select ash yields a resonant, musical sound. The ash body pairs beautifully with a riftsawn period-correct U-shaped neck and compound-radius fingerboard. The end result is a vintage-style guitar with unbelievable playing feel. And thanks to its Custom Shop '50-'51 Blackguard single-coil pickups, it sounds the part, too. The 70th Anniversary Broadcaster Relic is chock-full of eye-grabbing appointments, including a 3-saddle bridge, vintage-style tuning machines, knurled dome knobs, a 1-ply black phenolic pickguard, and an anniversary neck plate. An eye-grabbing Relic’d flash-coat lacquer finish tops off this exquisite guitar. The Limited Edition 70th Anniversary Broadcaster Relic comes with a deluxe hardshell case.
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A simple guitar that takes you back to the roots of the Tele
The 70th Anniversary Broadcaster Relic was designed to take you back to the roots of the Fender Telecaster, which was originally christened the "Broadcaster." At the time, Gretsch had a drum set named "Broadkaster" and threatened legal action against Fender to protect the name. Wanting no part of this, Fender cut off the headstock decals to simply read "Fender.” These guitars are referred to as “Nocasters.” The guitar was later renamed the “Telecaster.” Since then, the Tele has lent its signature tone to practically every genre of popular music — country, rock, funk, metal, punk, jazz — you name it. With its vintage-style 3-saddle bridge, ’50 Broadcaster U-shaped neck, knurled dome knobs, 1-ply black phenolic pickguard, and single-coil pickups, the 70th Anniversary Broadcaster captures the spirit of this timeless guitar perfectly.
'50–'51 Blackguard pickups deliver traditional Tele twang
The Fender Custom Shop Limited Edition 70th Anniversary Broadcaster Relic is fitted with a duet of hand-wound Custom Shop '50–'51 Blackguard single-coil pickups, giving you the traditional Tele twang you would expect from this phenomenal guitar. Both pickups carefully re-create the chiming top end and warm lows that made the original Broadcasters the most desirable Tele-style solidbody electric guitars to date. The 70th Anniversary Broadcaster features ’51 modded Nocaster wiring, with a blender pot and slightly brighter rhythm setting in the neck position. That said, a Fat ’50s control assembly is also included if you want modern Telecaster operation. A 10k ohm resistor and 0.001uF capacitor round out this limited-edition Relic’d beauty’s tonal ingredients. Just ask any of the Tele fanatics here at Sweetwater, Custom Shop '50–'51 Blackguard pickups are the real deal — if you want to achieve true vintage Broadcaster tone, these will get you there.
Fat U-shaped neck is perfect for fans of larger vintage necks
The 70th Anniversary Broadcaster Relic boasts one of the fattest necks you'll find on a Tele-style guitar, vintage or modern. This thick U-shaped neck will appeal to players that prefer larger '50s-style necks. Many players claim a thicker neck enhances sustain and gives you a darker, fuller tone than thinner necks provide. What’s more, this limited-edition axe boasts a 7.25" to 9.5" compound-radius fingerboard, which gives you vintage feel at the lower frets and modern performance up high. From classic chording to fleet-fingered shredding, it all feels effortless on the 70th Anniversary Broadcaster. A bone nut, 21 medium-vintage frets, and a tinted flash-coat lacquer finish put the finishing touches on this Relic’d beast’s endlessly playable neck.
Fender Custom Shop Limited Edition 70th Anniversary Broadcaster Relic Features:
- Celebrates the remarkable origin of the Fender Telecaster
- 2-piece select ash body with off-center seam yields a resonant, musical sound
- Riftsawn maple neck with period-correct “U” shape gives you something to wrap your hand around
- 7.25" to 9.5" compound-radius fingerboard with 21 vintage-style frets supplies unbelievable playing feel
- Custom Shop '50–'51 Blackguard single-coil pickups serve up snarling Tele twang
- Classic ’51 modded Nocaster wiring with a blender pot and slightly brighter rhythm setting in the neck position
- Fat ’50s control assembly is also included if you want modern Telecaster operation
- 3-saddle bridge with brass barrel saddles ensures maximum sustain
- Vintage-style tuning machines supply rock-solid tuning stability
- Knurled dome knobs, 1-ply black phenolic pickguard, anniversary neck plate, Broadcaster sales flyer reprint, and custom certificate of authenticity
- Eye-grabbing Relic’d flash-coat lacquer finish
- Comes with a deluxe hardshell case
