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Post new topic Seeking Stringmaster
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Author Topic:  Seeking Stringmaster
John Lang


From:
Las Vegas, Nevada
Post  Posted 17 Jan 2006 7:06 pm    
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If anyone has a nice D8 Stringmaster for sale, I am actively seeking one.

Thanks

John Lang
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Nick Reed


From:
Russellville, KY USA
Post  Posted 18 Jan 2006 1:20 am    
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John,
Back before Thanksgiving I started the search for this Stringmaster to get for my wife.


This Guitar looked very rough when we got it. I had it re-painted, so it now looks like new. It plays so good that I'd like to get another one for myself. If you run across a good one that your not gonna buy how about sending the information my way. Thanks, Nick

[This message was edited by Nick Reed on 18 January 2006 at 04:31 PM.]

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Ron Victoria

 

From:
New Jersey, USA
Post  Posted 18 Jan 2006 3:40 am    
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A blonde D-8 just came on Ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Stringmaster

Ron

[This message was edited by Ron Victoria on 18 January 2006 at 03:41 AM.]

[This message was edited by b0b on 20 January 2006 at 12:17 PM.]

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John Lang


From:
Las Vegas, Nevada
Post  Posted 18 Jan 2006 6:08 am    
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Nice guitar Nick, that is an example of exactly what I'm looking for.

There was one just like it on eBay two weeks ago, I was outbid by a lousy 15 bucks.

Ron, thanks for the link, but this guitar is a bit rough. Needs some TLC...
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Ron Victoria

 

From:
New Jersey, USA
Post  Posted 18 Jan 2006 12:01 pm    
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Here's another one. http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Steel-Guitar-8-string-Lap-vinta ge_W0QQitemZ7383500754QQcategoryZ33039QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Sorry, this is a S-8

Ron

[This message was edited by Ron Victoria on 18 January 2006 at 12:56 PM.]

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Nick Reed


From:
Russellville, KY USA
Post  Posted 19 Jan 2006 4:41 pm    
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Be advised about the D-8 on e-bay:
It's a 22 1/2 scale rather than the mostly desired 24 1/2.
Here's the part that really bothers me. This guitar has been changed over to a 3 legger like a Fender custom rather than keeping the standard 4 legs it came out with. That would be a rather distasteful modification to me. Nick

[This message was edited by Nick Reed on 21 January 2006 at 02:13 PM.]

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John Lang


From:
Las Vegas, Nevada
Post  Posted 20 Jan 2006 4:43 am    
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You're right Nick, too bad this guitar was converted. I would consider a Single 8 if everything is right. This one is not.

The search continues...
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Herb Steiner


From:
Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064
Post  Posted 20 Jan 2006 6:48 am    
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Not to disagree with my friend Nick Reed, but the 22.5" scale is not something to "be aware" of. This scale length is the one favored by Jerry Byrd, who did know a little bit about non-pedal steels.

The basic difference is this: Longer scale gives slightly more resonance and sustain than shorter scale lengths because the longer string can vibrate a wider arc than a shorter string.

OTOH, shorter scale guitars are easier to play slants on adjacent string in tune in the lower frets (below fret 15) where most playing takes place, given Fender's string spacing.

Longer scales would require wider string spacing, like Gibson's.

I like both the 22.5 and the 24.5 Fenders. They just play differently, is all. The 22.5 Fenders are far more common than the 24.5s, so there had to be a reason for those numbers.

The early SMs with the 26" scale, very resonant guitars, were very difficult to play these type slants. I believe that's why Fender went to shorter scale instruments.

As to making the guitar 3-legged instead of 4, that was a giant screw-up by the owner and would disqualify the guitar for me. Unless there was a suitable reduction in price, and only then if the guitar could be brought back to 4-legged status. The extra leg really increased stability. The triple neck, very wide Customs were quite "tippy" when played in standing position.

------------------
Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association


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John Lang


From:
Las Vegas, Nevada
Post  Posted 20 Jan 2006 7:47 am    
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Thanks Herb. Very good information. As a pedal player just venturing into the "straight eight" world, the scale length pro/con issue is something I had not considered before.

The three leg modification did scare me off however, as I would like to play standing up in live situations. If I'm going to spend that kind of money, I want to make sure I end up with a working, versatile instrument.
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Nick Reed


From:
Russellville, KY USA
Post  Posted 21 Jan 2006 2:06 pm    
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Sorry about my mis-information. I was reading on either Jody Carver or Rick Alexander's website which I thought said the 24 1/2 scales at the time (1960's) were Fender's better sellers. I understood they received more orders for the 24 1/2. So that's why they made more of them than the other 2 scales. My post was probably a little confusing, the beware part was intended to address the 3 leg changeover issue only. Nick

[This message was edited by Nick Reed on 21 January 2006 at 02:11 PM.]

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Herb Steiner


From:
Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064
Post  Posted 21 Jan 2006 4:46 pm    
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Well Nick, I really only know from personal experience, not Fender's records of orders. I've owned probably over a dozen Stringmasters/Deluxe Guitars over the years, and with the exception of a 26" '54 D-8, all were 22.5"s

I currently own a '56 T-8 and a '58 D-8, both 22.5s, as well as a '51 Custom and a '53 Dual Professional, of course both 22.5s

------------------
Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association


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John Lang


From:
Las Vegas, Nevada
Post  Posted 24 Jan 2006 10:10 am    
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Herb,

Let me know if you want to sell one of those 8 stringers. Still looking.
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Darryl Hattenhauer


From:
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Post  Posted 9 Apr 2006 8:19 am    
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Fellas,

Why would anybody convert a 4-leg to a 3? What is the advantage of a 3?

------------------
"Drinking up the future, and living down the past"--unknown singer in Phoenix
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Al Sato


From:
Texas Hill Country
Post  Posted 9 Apr 2006 8:25 am    
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Probably just lost one leg and decided to "make it work."

Al

------------------
So many stringed instruments, so little time...

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Jon Light


From:
Saugerties, NY
Post  Posted 9 Apr 2006 8:34 am    
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The advantage of three legs over four? Tripodal stability--you don't have to adjust a leg to compensate for an uneven floor. It won't rock with three legs. But as stated above, the weight distribution of these is such that it will be tippy.
I bought a Dual Professional that someone had drilled thru the tuner pan and added pedal-pulls. From a reading of the damage done to the undersides (horrendous) I deduce that the first time he stepped on the pedals the guitar keeled right over. So he added a leg next to the single headstock leg. Still no good. So he moved the two headstock-end legs apart ala Stringmaster config. Leaving gouged, mangled and butchered wood behind. What a freakin mess. (The Dual Pro, without a coat hanger pulling on the head, is stable enough. A Custom (3-neck) is another story).

[This message was edited by Jon Light on 09 April 2006 at 09:40 AM.]

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Darryl Hattenhauer


From:
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Post  Posted 9 Apr 2006 1:00 pm    
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Hey Jon. I know the guy who did that. He's my surgeon.

But seriously, some guys think they're car mechanics, carpenters, brick layers etc. It hurts to see it on something that can't be undone, like old steels.
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