Old Fender Found still in it's Tweed Case after years.

Don Brown, Sr. · From: New Jersey

Hey Folks,

I had forgotten all about being at an estate liquidation sale, years and years back, and having bid on a ton of stuff.

A guy had helped bring the stuff home for me, and my wife took care of putting the stuff away when it got here.

It's been up in a closet, all these years. I remember opening up the case and taking a look, and then closed the case and forgot all about it until a short time back.

If my memory serves me right, it has three screw in legs, and is a Fender 8 string, in a tweed case that looked to be in (or was) nearly new condition.

I'll know more in a while, as to the condition it's now in. I know that was at least 30 years ago.. I'll get my son to bring it down when he gets home.

At the time, I had to rush in order to get to my gig that evening, and it didn't interest me much at all, until reading up on all of those being restored. I don't think this one even needs anything touched on it. Have no idea if it works, as I've never hooked it up. Never looked at it but about twice.

I'll try to get some pics of it. I was at the time, really only interested in an old violin that I managed to get for twelve bucks. Actual date made is 1716. Nobody bid on it but me, since the nut was laying in the wooden case, along with the tail piece, and the hair was disintegrated off of the bow. One old violin, but she's tight all elsewhere. Tap the belly on her, and she rings right out. One of the tuning pegs isn't original, but she's never been strung up since I've had her. The gut strings were just traces of them around two of the pegs. A pretty interesting piece to say the least.

Don

PS: Guess I'll have to wait before taking anymore pictures. The Chrome is so shiny that it reflects with the flash, and makes it look bad. As do the tuners, when a picture is taken, but I can assure anyone this is NOT how it actually looks. I had to stand back, because my shadow made the chrome look black. It looks as if I'm going to have to take them without using any flash at all. The tuners look (in the pictures) to be rusty, but they aren't at all. Anyway, here come two. But again, this is NOT the condition. So picture it as mirrow and the tuners are not ruffled either.

On one of the Two finger picks, reads DOBRO, the other finger pick is unmarked, as well as the thumb pick. I found two keys inside that I had no idea were there either (for the case) as well as a Nick Manoloff Bar. Had no idea none of it was inside the little compartment. Rubbers on the leg ends look as good as new. Amazing what ya have laying around that ya forget about with time.. Very Happy

All of the case locks work as do all of the hinges. I noticed that the leg compartment, needs to be pushed back about 1/8 of an inch on the tuner side of the case. Legs should have been staggered, but they weren't..

Oh! And, she's only a Six String.. Dual pickups as you can see.

Thanks for looking..

Don

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

Odd. Two strings, three legs less, and it'd be worth 20 grand..

Go figure.

Smile

EJL

scott murray · From: Asheville, NC

simply gorgeous.
_________________
1965 Emmons S-10, 3x5 • Emmons LLIII D-10, 10x12 • JCH D-10, 10x12 • Beard MA-8 • Oahu Tonemaster

Kevin Mincke · From: Farmington, MN (Twin Cities-South Metro) USA

Now that's a nice find to have forgotten about Whoa!

Casey Lowmiller · From: Kansas

Now where did I put that quad-stringmaster??? Darn it, that's right...I forgot to purchase it!!!

Seriously though...that is a super-slick guitar & a really neat find.

I wonder how many other steels are sitting somewhere forgotten in someones closet/attic/basement/garage that are just dying to be played.

Enjoy it!!!

Casey
_________________
Known Coast to Coast as
"The Man with The Plan"

Don Brown, Sr. · From: New Jersey

Thanks for the replies. I've looked all over it for a number of any kind. I don't really want to pull it apart looking for a number, as in possibly being underneath something.

Any suggestions, on possibly what year, would be appreciated. As I said, she's sat all those years in the case. I forgot to take pictures of the case, but it's solid, and everything works on it as it should.

Looks to be real leather on the ends of the case that wrap around it? Don't really know if it is or not, but it's definitely stitched to it.

Thanks again.
Don

John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

Nice! If you decide to re-string it, remove the tuner assembly. It's like 6 screws, and nothing will fall apart if you pop it out. There should be dates, and perhaps names underneath there. There are also date codes on the pots.

Alan Brookes · From: Brummy living in Southern California

Don Brown, Sr. · From: New Jersey

Wow! That one looks to have been sitting in some damp or wet area.

At first look, I thought it was the one you had done for Baz..

I don't think you're going to do much for that rotted wood, but seeing what you did with the other one, I'm sure you'll do a nice job on it.

The pickups look to be in the best shape.

Thanks for letting us see the before. We'll be waiting for the after too..

Don

Alan Brookes · From: Brummy living in Southern California

I've started a topic on its restoration, separate from the topic on Baz's Stringmaster, but I haven't done much on that job yet because I've been diverted into rebuilding a Fender S10, which needs less work.

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=121578&highlight=restoration

It'll look like new when I've finished it. The white powder brushed off, leaving a bare metal surface that can be repainted. I'm removing all the rotted wood and replacing it with new wood spliced in, and Bondo. The hardware is in good shape.

This is the project I'm working on right now....

Don't let the photo mislead you. It has its legs off, and is standing on top of a Miller PSG with a cover on, and there are other restoration projects in the background.

Don Brown, Sr. · From: New Jersey

Alan, it looks like you're going to be a busy man for a long time. But let me add, I've found there isn't anything better to be into, than doing the type of work, one really loves doing. It's then, that it's not simply a job, but a love for whatever field that happens to be in. And, the satisfaction of seeing something in horrible condition, develope (before your eyes) into something of beauty, it what makes it all worth while.

Keep up the great work.

Don

Alan Brookes · From: Brummy living in Southern California

Thanks Don. You're absolutely right. There's nothing better than taking an instrument that someone was about to throw into the garbage and bringing it back into playable condition. It's like rehabilitating a lost child.
Also, playing an instrument that one has built from scratch, that wouldn't have existed if one hadn't designed and built oneself, is most rewarding.

Don Brown, Sr. · From: New Jersey

Alan, that sure does say a lot..

It was much the same during George's building of my Pedal Steel. I was over there during his building it, and I got to see it not only being built, but to also see exactly how much time and quality he put into every piece of it. I've seen him throw out pieces, for having the slightest flaw where a small chunck of aluminum would break away during the buffing & polishing process many times, that I'd have still used. But George would have none of that.

My point being, as what you had said, seeing her grow up (so to speak) and become of age, and ready for the final testing of sound quality, seeing him building his own pickups, until the sound suited both he and I. And then getting to try her out for the first time, and hearing her was simply a spectacular event, one I'll never forget. Then knowing she was ready to go on the job.

Absolutely amazing, the first time out on a gig, playing her. So I do know that feeling, even though I wasn't the one building her. It was to me the same as if I had.

I remember him not letting me leave there without first getting me to sit behind her and asking if I wanted the pedals, set any different, if they felt too stiff, or just right, then showed me adjusters on each, as well on the knees, he had installed. Right down to the seat. I had to go over so he could measure me before he finished making the seat. So, yep! I know exactly what you mean. It's quite a thrill.

One man, working on what was to him, a pure love for the pedal steel guitar. Even after long hours at work, he'd come home and start working till the wee hours of morning, and always coming up with something new in mind.

Mine was playing.. Very Happy

Don

Alan Brookes · From: Brummy living in Southern California

That's a great story, Don. Most luthiers I know put lots of additional work into instruments that they don't charge the customer for, and I know George is one of them. It's a matter of pride. I've never been a professional luthier: all the work I've done has been for myself or for friends, and I've never charged anyone for the work. It's a labor of love. Sometimes it's enough to know that I'm building an instrument which will be used by someone who is univerally-admired for his talent, and will live on for decades after I've gone. I love to glue my label inside a finished instrument. Very Happy

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