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In the expansive history of Fender guitars, certain models capture enduring fame, while others, despite their merits, tend to fade into relative obscurity. Following previous explorations into Fender’s student models like the Musicmaster and Duo-Sonic, it’s time to spotlight another often-overlooked gem: the Fender Bronco Guitar. This model, launched into a market already rich with student-focused instruments, holds a unique position in Fender’s legacy and deserves a fresh look. While sharing visual similarities with its siblings, the Bronco offers distinct features and sonic characteristics that set it apart. Let’s delve into what makes the Fender Bronco guitar a model worth remembering.
The Bronco in Fender’s Student Guitar Line-up
Introduced in 1967, the Fender Bronco guitar arrived when Fender’s student model range was already well-established. The Musicmaster and Duo-Sonic had been available since the 1950s, with the Mustang joining their ranks a few years prior. All these guitars, including the Bronco, shared a similar offset body shape and overall design language. Fender masterfully utilized a modular approach, employing common components across these models, yet subtly differentiating them to cater to various player preferences and budgets.
If you’re familiar with the Musicmaster and Duo-Sonic, you’ll recall their shared DNA: same bodies, necks, and finishes, differing primarily in their electronics. The Musicmaster featured a single neck pickup, while the Duo-Sonic boasted two pickups and a selector switch for added tonal versatility. The Mustang took things a step further by incorporating a tremolo bridge. Interestingly, the Bronco essentially took the Mustang formula and tweaked it: it retained the tremolo bridge but featured a single pickup positioned at the bridge. This strategic pickup placement, combined with a unique bridge design, gave the Bronco its own distinct identity within the Fender family. The brilliance of Fender’s student line was in offering a cohesive, stylish guitar design in a spectrum of configurations, all while maintaining affordability through smart design and efficient production.
Sound and Electronics: The Bridge Pickup Advantage
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The most significant differentiator between Fender’s student models lies in their sonic character, largely dictated by pickup placement. The Musicmaster, with its neck position pickup, delivered a warm, rounded tone. The Duo-Sonic and Mustang, equipped with dual pickups, offered a broader tonal palette thanks to pickup switching and combination options. The Fender Bronco guitar completed this sonic spectrum by placing its lone pickup at the bridge. This configuration resulted in a sound that was distinctly punchy, bright, and sharp.
Electronics on the Bronco were straightforward, featuring just two control knobs: volume and tone. The tone control is designed to roll off high frequencies, effectively taming some of the bridge pickup’s inherent treble sharpness. While some guitarists tend to neglect the tone knob, on the Bronco, it’s a particularly useful tool. Given the single bridge pickup configuration, the tone control becomes essential for sculpting a wider range of usable sounds. The bridge pickup naturally emphasizes treble frequencies, which can sometimes be too aggressive. However, by skillfully using the tone control, players can learn to harness the pickup’s bright characteristics and dial in a more balanced sound. Importantly, the pickups used across these student models were consistent in quality, ensuring a reliable Fender tone regardless of the specific model.
Design and Quality: Built to Last
The Bronco, like its student model counterparts from the era, was constructed using quality components, even if they were a step below Fender’s top-tier offerings. However, from a modern perspective, the build quality is remarkably high. A notable feature contributing to the longevity of these guitars is the short scale neck. This design choice makes the necks less prone to warping over time. Consequently, well-maintained vintage Bronco guitars often exhibit necks in excellent condition, rivaling those of many contemporary instruments. Despite being decades old, these guitars can still offer exceptional playability.
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The bodies of student models were typically crafted from alder, a tonewood known for its balanced tonal properties. Necks were made of maple, paired with rosewood fingerboards. The Fender Bronco guitar specifically used Indian rosewood for its fingerboard. Earlier Musicmaster and Duo-Sonic models initially featured Brazilian rosewood, but this was later replaced with Indian rosewood due to material availability and regulations. Even today, the Indian rosewood fingerboards on these vintage guitars retain an attractive appearance, with many exhibiting beautiful grain patterns characteristic of 1960s instruments.
Scale Length and Playability: Short Scale Comfort
The standard Fender guitar scale length is 25.5 inches. Student models, however, are often categorized as “short-scale” guitars, designed to be more comfortable for beginners and players with smaller hands. The Fender Bronco guitar featured a 24-inch scale length, a specification that remained constant throughout its production run. The Mustang, in contrast, was offered in both 22.5-inch and 24-inch scale versions. The 24-inch scale, generally considered a sweet spot, provides a comfortable playing experience for a broader range of guitarists, offering a slightly slinkier string feel compared to the standard 25.5″ scale, without being as dramatically short as the 22.5″ scale.
Color Palette: From Fiesta Red to Midnight Wine
The initial Fender Bronco guitar models were released in Red, specifically Fiesta Red, a vibrant shade that was among the first lacquer colors Fender adopted in the 1950s. Later, black was added to the color options. Over time, the color selection expanded to include other classic Fender finishes like Dakota Red, Olympic White, and Midnight Wine. For comprehensive specifications and color options, resources like Guitar-list provide detailed information on the Fender Bronco and its variations.
The Bronco’s Unique Bridge: A Design Divergence
A defining characteristic of the Bronco was its original bridge design. This bridge, while functional, was considered somewhat impractical, particularly in how the saddles moved when adjusting intonation. Ultimately, this bridge design was not widely adopted and remained exclusive to the Bronco model, setting it apart from other Fender guitars.
Production History and Legacy: A Forgotten Classic?
The development of the Fender Bronco guitar began in 1964. It officially appeared in Fender price lists from mid-1967 and became available for sale in December of the same year – a welcome Christmas gift for aspiring guitarists. Production continued until 1981. This period marked a shift for Fender’s student model line, with several models being discontinued and paving the way for new series like the Bullet guitars.
One reason the Bronco is somewhat forgotten today is that it has never been reissued. Without re-releases to keep it in the public eye, the Bronco gradually faded from mainstream awareness. This is unfortunate, as vintage Broncos, especially those from the 1960s, offer exceptional quality and are often found in remarkably good condition today.
Affordability and Beginner Appeal: The Bronco Package
A key factor in the popularity of Fender’s student models was their affordable price point. Among them, the Musicmaster was the most budget-friendly, followed by the Bronco. In the 1968 Fender catalog, the Bronco was priced at $149.50. The price gradually increased, reaching $240 by 1977. Detailed price lists and specifications can be found on fan sites like Vintage Guitar and Bass.
Adding to its appeal, the Fender Bronco guitar was often sold as a package deal with an amplifier. This strategic marketing move made it particularly attractive to beginners, offering a complete starter kit at a reasonable cost. Aspiring guitarists could acquire everything needed to begin playing and learning properly without a significant financial investment.
In conclusion, the Fender Bronco guitar, while sometimes overshadowed by its more famous siblings, stands as a testament to Fender’s innovative approach to student guitars. Its unique bridge pickup configuration, comfortable short scale, and accessible price made it a valuable instrument for beginners and experienced players alike. While it may be a bit of a “forgotten” model today, the vintage Fender Bronco guitar remains a high-quality, distinctive instrument deserving of rediscovery.
