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Average Price: $995

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$400

$1001+

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Description

Dive into the world of unique tremolo systems with the Fender Bronco electric guitar. This distinctive piece was originally launched as an entry-level instrument for aspiring students, but has since garnered a significant reputation in the music community. Notably, it has a unique tremolo system that you won't find on any other Fender guitar. Paired with the Fender Bronco Amp, this single-pickup electric guitar is a treasure trove of value that will amplify your musical journey. Produced from 1967 through 1981, Fender would revive the name for its Squier Bronco Bass, but the Bronco in its original form has not been reissued.

Key Features:

  • Unique tremolo system not found on any other Fender guitar
  • Originally designed as a student-level guitar
  • Single-pickup electric
  • Pairs well with the Fender Bronco Amp
  • Has accrued value over time, especially when sold with its accompanying amp

Product specs

Brand Fender
Model Bronco with Rosewood Fretboard
Finish Black, Dakota Red, Olympic White
Year 1967 - 1979
Made In United States
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Alder
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Tremolo Bridge
Color Family Black, Red, White
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family Fender Bronco
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Offset Body Offset Body
Pickup Configuration S
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24.75"
Series Fender Vintage CBS Era

FAQs

What is the neck profile of the Fender Bronco electric guitar?

The Fender Bronco features a comfortable C-shaped neck profile, making it easy to play for both beginners and experienced guitarists.

How does the single pickup configuration affect the sound of the Fender Bronco?

The single-coil pickup on the Fender Bronco delivers a bright, punchy sound that is well-suited for clean tones and light overdrive, ideal for genres like surf rock and blues.

Is the Fender Bronco suitable for beginner guitarists?

Yes, the Fender Bronco is designed as a student guitar with a shorter 24" scale length, making it easier for beginners to play and learn on.

What is the scale length of the Fender Bronco guitar?

The Fender Bronco features a 24.75" scale length, providing a balance between ease of play and tonal clarity.

Does the Fender Bronco have a tremolo bridge?

Yes, the Fender Bronco is equipped with a tremolo bridge, allowing players to add vibrato effects to their playing.

What is the body material of the Fender Bronco?

The body of the Fender Bronco is made from alder, which contributes to its balanced tone and resonance.

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

1978 Fender Bronco Black | Guitar of the Day

Video thumbnail for 1978 Fender Bronco Black | Guitar of the Day by Normans Rare Guitars

1978 Fender Bronco Black | Guitar of the Day

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for The Fender Bronco Vibrato: How Does it Work? by Puisheen

The Fender Bronco Vibrato: How Does it Work?

Puisheen

Puisheen

Video thumbnail for Fender Bronco Guitar Review/Demo by Aambulance Studios

Fender Bronco Guitar Review/Demo

Aambulance Studios

Aambulance Studios

Video thumbnail for Fender Bronco demo by hgostos

Fender Bronco demo

hgostos

hgostos

Reviews

PROS

  • Excellent neck profile and perfect action out of the box

  • Pleasing, simple tone at an affordable price

  • Lightweight and easy to handle, ideal for practice

  • Ideal for beginners, pairs well with amps for enhanced sound

  • Versatile sound with potential for mods, like adding a tele lipstick in the neck

  • Unique sound qualities, described as more bubbly than a telecaster

  • Outperforms older models, such as the 1973 competition red Mustang

CONS

  • Gig bag size issues, often not fitting the guitar

  • Loose screws and scuff marks on the pick guard reported

  • Issues with the guitar jack leading to sound problems

  • Pickup failures with limited warranty service locations

  • Packaging with visible branding increases risk of theft

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Bronco.

Features and functionality

  • The Fender Bronco's unique vibrato system is floating on two pegs, requiring significant pressure due to a hefty spring, which helps maintain tuning.

    Source

Build quality

  • The bridge design on the Bronco is unique to this model, with some owners noting it as a "glorious mess" that requires careful setup, such as adding metal shims to match neck radius.

    Source

User experience

  • The pickup switch placement on the Fender Bronco is unconventional, but users who play close to the bridge report no issues with accidental switching.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Bronco's 24" scale length with its unique vibrato can give a tone similar to a 25.5” scale Telecaster, described as spanky and bright.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • A Bronco owner discovered their guitar had been previously modified with American Jaguar pickups after originally having a black finish and a neck humbucker.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Initially marketed towards country players, the Bronco's tonal characteristics and setup flexibility make it suitable for various musical styles.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Under the Hood #31: The Almost Forgotten Fender Bronco | insounder.org

insounder.org

The Fender Bronco is a student guitar model that, despite its high-quality design and affordability, has largely faded into obscurity. Launched in 1967, it shares many design elements with other Fender student models like the Musicmaster and Mustang but stands out with its distinct bridge pickup, offering a sharp, punchy sound. While the quality of materials used in the Bronco remains commendable, its unique bridge design was less practical and didn't gain popularity. Although not reissued and often overlooked today, the Bronco's original affordability and durable construction make it a noteworthy piece of Fender's history.

4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 22 Ratings

5 star
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1 star
stanley_christiaensen

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Jock Norton uses Fender Bronco

Jock Norton

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via reverb.com

"I actually use a Fender Duo-Sonic as my main guitar, but my favourite is a 1978 Bronco, which I’ve kind of retired from playing live now. I got it because I was very into Sonic Youth and Dinosaur Jr. at the time so offsets just seemed cool to me. I love the shorter scale and could never really get on with more shreddy, flat necks. J Mascis is still my number one guitar hero as well, and he can get a pretty ripping sound out of P90s, so I’m just copying him, really."

See how Iñaki Vázquez uses Fender Bronco

Iñaki Vázquez

Singer, Guitarist

Fobia

...
Verified via YouTube
Color/Finish: Olympic White

Iñaki Vázquez acquired the Fender Bronco alongside the Fender Mustang in the 1990s. He uses this guitar for recordings with his band Gran Sur and also performs live with it for Moderatto, as detailed in the YouTube video "TODAS las GUITARRAS que usé en @Moderattomx" by Paco y sus Guitarras.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender Bronco, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Dunlop DVP3 Volume (X) Pedal
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Marshall 1960A 4x12'' Cabinet
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1
Crowther Hot Cake
Crowther Hot Cake Distortion Effects Pedals
1
Strymon BigSky
Strymon BigSky Reverb Effects Pedals
1
Maxon OD808 Overdrive
Maxon OD808 Overdrive Overdrive Effects Pedals
1
Meris Polymoon
Meris Polymoon Delay Effects Pedals
1

Community setups

Show yours
daniel_mueller

daniel_mueller

Gear IQ 566

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