Fender Bronco History

[taylornutt]

I am a proud owner of a 1971 Fender Bronco and I love the guitar.

After looking through some Vintage Broncos on Reverb, I kinda wanted to learn more about the history of the Fender Bronco.

There are definitely different areas of Broncos with different hardware, colors, etc.

Does anyone know any good online resources for Fender Bronco guitars?

I found some websites on Mustangs, Duo Sonics and Musicmasters but not much on the Bronco.

[rahbro]

start with finding PDF's of the old fender catalogs

[taylornutt]

start with finding PDF's of the old fender catalogs

That's great idea.

Catalogs and advertisements would a great source.

This website has lots of vintage catalogs

http://www.vintageguitarandbass.com/fender/catalogues

Here is Bronco Page
http://www.vintageguitarandbass.com/fender/Bronco.php

Fender Catalogs (including Japanese)
http://guitar-compare.com/catalogs/fender-catalogs/

Fender and Gibson Catalogs
http://vintageguitarhaven.com/images/c ... index.html

1967 Fender Catalog
http://vintageguitarhaven.com/images/c ... s/f76.html

[NickS]

Those are fascinating.

[taylornutt]

Lots of interesting information so far.

1970's catalogs are not as consistent to find. I have not found early 70s catalogs (1971 and 1973-75) or late 70s( 1978 - 1980.

Apparently, Fender Broncos were paired with amps for 1967 - 1975. I don't know if they were other finish options beside red during that timeframe. Some of the Bronco Amps in 1969 had large Jaguar knobs instead of the Black Witch hat knobs.

I know they came in other colors started in showing up in 1976 (black and Vintage White with black pickguards and Strat knobs)

I also didn't realize that Japan also had Broncos.

This one from the 1977 Catalog in all White with black Witch hat knobs looks fantastic. 1979 Japanese models were all black.

[dots]

picking up a bronco is still a bucket list item for me. i've given up on the idea of building one as buying the intact bridges separately is almost impossible at this point. i do have legit bronco knobs, though.

[taylornutt]

picking up a bronco is still a bucket list item for me. i've given up on the idea of building one as buying the intact bridges separately is almost impossible at this point. i do have legit bronco knobs, though.

I have about 90% of a Bronco Bridge. I have been really lucky to piece it together. I wish Fender would reissue it already and maybe upgrade the saddles.

It's my favorite vibrato unit.

[dots]

you're not the first i've heard say the bronco bridge is their favorite, and it's a shame with bona fides like that and the popularity of the guitar antiquity won't prompt fender to do a proper reissue. since it only ever landed on one model of guitar the molds, templates, and forges may have been lost once they discontinued it.

[taylornutt]

you're not the first i've heard say the bronco bridge is their favorite, and it's a shame with bona fides like that and the popularity of the guitar antiquity won't prompt fender to do a proper reissue. since it only ever landed on one model of guitar the molds, templates, and forges may have been lost once they discontinued it.

This guitar was the original Squier Strat pack except it was made by Fender with an amazing amp.

When you see how many Mustang variants they currently make, it's hard to believe they couldn't have a line of Bronco guitars. The body route is super simple and the vibrato is not that complicated in terms of parts. They could do a Vintera vintage spec model and a two pickup option.

This was one of Leo's last designs and I think it's so extremely underrated.

[Fakir Mustache]

I also didn't realize that Japan also had Broncos.

This one from the 1977 Catalog in all White with black Witch hat knobs looks fantastic. 1979 Japanese models were all black.

I don't think they were made in Japan back then, but for the Japanese market.

Kind of like the 84 Mustang on this site:
http://www.fendermustangstory.com/

[taylornutt]

I also didn't realize that Japan also had Broncos.

This one from the 1977 Catalog in all White with black Witch hat knobs looks fantastic. 1979 Japanese models were all black.

I don't think they were made in Japan back then, but for the Japanese market.

Kind of like the 84 Mustang on this site:
http://www.fendermustangstory.com/

I agreed they were most likely made in USA and exported to Japan. The all white is absolutely gorgeous.

[dots]

you're not the first i've heard say the bronco bridge is their favorite, and it's a shame with bona fides like that and the popularity of the guitar antiquity won't prompt fender to do a proper reissue. since it only ever landed on one model of guitar the molds, templates, and forges may have been lost once they discontinued it.

This guitar was the original Squier Strat pack except it was made by Fender with an amazing amp.

When you see how many Mustang variants they currently make, it's hard to believe they couldn't have a line of Bronco guitars. The body route is super simple and the vibrato is not that complicated in terms of parts. They could do a Vintera vintage spec model and a two pickup option.

This was one of Leo's last designs and I think it's so extremely underrated.

squier has the bronco bass, and i have to admit (miley has one), they're pretty good at the $200ish price point.

[finboy]

I have a bronco amp and my buddy has a bronco guitar, every couple years we keep trying to haggle from each other to make a great set. Pat from offset has a beautiful one with a widerange humbucker, it’s amazing.

[taylornutt]

I have a bronco amp and my buddy has a bronco guitar, every couple years we keep trying to haggle from each other to make a great set. Pat from offset has a beautiful one with a widerange humbucker, it’s amazing.

You gotta finish the set. I have vintage Vibro Champ which is the same amp but lacks the cool red "Bronco" letters.

[finboy]

Some day maybe, it’s my go to amp as I don’t hate my neighbours

[rahbro]

I have a bronco amp and my buddy has a bronco guitar, every couple years we keep trying to haggle from each other to make a great set. Pat from offset has a beautiful one with a widerange humbucker, it’s amazing.

You gotta finish the set. I have vintage Vibro Champ which is the same amp but lacks the cool red "Bronco" letters.

Pat from offset isn't pat from offset. He is Pat from Shortscale.

[finboy]

Fair play

[goldengurls]

I have a bronco amp and my buddy has a bronco guitar, every couple years we keep trying to haggle from each other to make a great set. Pat from offset has a beautiful one with a widerange humbucker, it’s amazing.

You gotta finish the set. I have vintage Vibro Champ which is the same amp but lacks the cool red "Bronco" letters.

Pat from offset isn't pat from offset. He is Pat from Shortscale.

Yeah I dunno about that.

[dots]

You gotta finish the set. I have vintage Vibro Champ which is the same amp but lacks the cool red "Bronco" letters.

Pat from offset isn't pat from offset. He is Pat from Shortscale.

Yeah I dunno about that.

[Pacafeliz]

I have a bronco amp and my buddy has a bronco guitar, every couple years we keep trying to haggle from each other to make a great set. Pat from offset has a beautiful one with a widerange humbucker, it’s amazing.

You gotta finish the set. I have vintage Vibro Champ which is the same amp but lacks the cool red "Bronco" letters.

Pat from offset isn't pat from offset. He is Pat from Shortscale.

Dude I come here.whwn I'm drunk and find this and almost cry