Here we have a guitar that has kept going using the modular design Leo intended! It's an original finish, original logo 1950 Broadcaster neck (one of approximately 200 made) and a refinished 1953 Telecaster body, along with assorted parts from each year. Let's sort out what's what: The neck's dated, "11/3/50 TG." As far as neck shape goes, it has the contours that a lot of Broadcasters have, kind of a boat shaped ("U" shaped) feel to it with the edge of the board heavily rounded over. The finish on the neck is original, as is the "Broadcaster" logo. The neck was refretted at some point with jumbo frets that still have plenty of life left in them. The neck has a maple plug on the headstock for the truss rod, a feature of Broadcasters; it also has a slotted adjustment screw which is a feature of early blackguards from inception with the Broadcaster lasting until early 1952. The tuners are no-line Kluson Deluxe with open housings, "Pat. Applied For" circa '53. The tuner bushings, and the string tree are earlier though and era-correct for a Broadcaster.
The body is inscribed/dated, "Tadeo 7-21-53" in the neck pocket. The body's been refinished natural, as you can see from the pictures. The pickups are circa 1953, as are the bridge saddles, knobs, switch and pickguard. The pickguard's an old Bakelite guard that's been refinished. The bridge pickup looks to have been rewound a long time ago and the neck pickup is the original wind.
The bridge pickup has that killer sweet blackguard tone and the neck pickup sounds great on this guitar as well. It's easy to play and featherweight too. Added bonus, it looks a whole lot like Mike Campbell's Broadcaster that he used on so many Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers hits back in the day. The guitar comes in a very old tweed thermometer case.
