Fender unveils the Custom Shop Mike Campbell Limited Edition “Heartbreaker” Guitar, a meticulous recreation of Campbell’s original Broadcaster.
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This latest limited run vintage replica guitar Spear headed by Master Builder Dale Wilson, the Custom Shop team replicated Mike’s guitar down to minute details, resulting in limited run vintage replicas that are virtually indistinguishable with the original.
The story goes that Mike bought the original Broadcaster for around $600, after he loaned his Stratocaster to Tom Petty. This was around the time when they were in the studio working on the first Heartbreakers record. It has since been among Mike’s main guitar, and has been put to good use for more than 40 years now. This workhorse guitar has been used in many Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ hit songs, and has also been heard on tracks by other big name music icons like Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan and George Harrison.
Now Fender Custom Shop have made a deal with Mike Campbell to replicate his original Heartbreaker and produce a limited run of “relic’ed” replicas. Everything about the original guitar is captured by the new Heartbreaker, including all the bumps, dings, scratches and stains that the instrument has incurred over the years.
Particular dings that include the nail scratch on the front of the lower horn, down to the soldering iron burn near the output jack, along with the chipped nut – the Custom Shop Team mimicked whatever they can to make this guitar a worthy collectible that can actually be played.
While I’m not a fan of artificial aging, I have to say that when implemented with reservations, it results in great looking instruments such as this one. I would’ve preferred if the relic application was more random, but that would not get the Heartbreaker label so it’s understandable.
Other important details that were captured include the natural lacquer finish that allows the elegant ash wood grains to peek through, along with the back of the flam maple neck which is artificially worn to be finish free, resulting in a smooth playing feel that Mike himself approves of.
As expected, tone is of utmost importance when producing replicas, as such, the Fender Custom Shop team produced a pair of hand wound pickups that are customized to reproduce the warm tones of the original. Mike is quoted saying, “With a blindfold test I might not be able to tell the difference—that’s how close it is.“
Fender released a video where Mike Campbell himself shares the story behind the Heartbreaker Limited Edition guitar:
An underlying aim of this release is to support the Tazzy Animal Rescue Fund, a nonprofit organization that Mike and his wife have been supporting. It is said that artist funds from each of the limited edition guitars will go to the organization, supporting their animal rescue work. Campbell adds, “It’s a notable cause and if you want to buy one of these guitars not only do you get a great guitar, but you are literally saving the lives of dogs”.
Another thing worth mentioning about this limited run guitars is that it could possibly lead to a more accessible mass production model, but that will depend on its success and demand. For more information and the complete specifications, head over to Fender.
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