GGJaguar's Guitarium and Ampeteria 1986 G&L Broadcaster

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FACTOIDS & TRIVIA

The Broadcaster is the most famous of the "rare" models made by G&L. It was introduced in mid-1985 and produced through March 1986 with a total production run of 869 guitars. This Telecaster-inspired model was designed by Dale Hyatt, G&L Marketing Director. G&L was losing money and the guitar buying public was spending its money on traditional designs. Dale Hyatt's marketing strategy was sound and, despite Leo Fender's hesitance to re-visit the past with a Tele-style model, the Broadcaster proved to be highly successful. The Broadcaster only came in one finish: black with black hardware. It could be ordered with an ebony or maple fingerboard and, of the 869 Broadcasters produced, only 308 were made with maple fingerboards. One very special feature of the Broadcaster is that all of them were signed by Leo Fender himself. Leo used the Broadcaster name on his first two-pickup solid body electric guitar in 1950, but Gretsch was using that name for its Broadkaster line of drums and requested Fender to stop using it. Fender complied and renamed it the Telecaster. History “repeated” itself at G&L. In a brilliant marketing ploy Dale Hyatt convinced Leo to use the Broadcaster name again for his new guitar knowing that Gretsch or Fender would once again request that the name not be used. Interestingly, neither Gretsch nor Fender held trademark rights to the Broadcaster/Broadkaster name at that time. Nevertheless, the idea was simple: G&L would produce as many Broadcasters as possible (up to 1500 maximum) before a lawsuit was filed at which time production would cease. G&L never intended to produce the Broadcaster as a regular model since it would have been difficult for Leo Fender to personally inspect and sign every unit made. The plan worked perfectly and G&L produced and sold 869 Broadcasters. Several new names were considered, including LaCaster and LeCaster, until settling on the “ASAT” moniker in March 1986. Sadly, in an effort to capitalize on the market for a G&L "rarebird", some Broadcaster forgeries have been assembled using leftover decals, neck plates, hardware, and even original, signed inspection tags. Caveat emptor!

G&L BROADCASTER (January 1986)

Body: Solid; maple