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Topic: Stringmaster T-8 value |
Steven Meyrich
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 16 Apr 2013 12:50 pm |
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I have a Fender T-8 Stringmaster. Serial No. 00653 on the bridge. I think that means its from 1954. Its a little worn and has the original case and legs with some wear on the case too. Trying to get some ideas on value of this. I have owned it at least 15 years but haven't been using it lately so thought I should see what it might fetch.
Thanks, Steve
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 16 Apr 2013 1:09 pm
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Prices are all over the place depending on condition and where they're being sold.
I would suggest you search STRINGMASTER TRIPLE 8 in the classifieds here then check current and closed sales activity on the auction sites.
Compare yours with those and come up with what you feel is a price you would accept. |
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Les Anderson
From:
The Great White North
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Posted 16 Apr 2013 2:18 pm
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| Triple 8s and quads are no where near in demand as they once were. Though they have the Fender tone, their bulk is moving them out of favour with the newer players. There are too many options available now replace these once cherished instruments. |
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Dennis Smith
From:
Covington, Georgia, USA
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Posted 16 Apr 2013 2:29 pm
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Steven, I got my 1954 T8 off of the forum for $1200. shipped to me. It's in very good condition and every thing works on it.
Your's looks later than the one I have. I have chrome covered pickups and the plate is in three piece's controls on one, pick and bridge on two and the 2nd pickup on a third, black slide swiches not the push button and the lollypop tuners.
But yours could be late 54 I don't know when the changes started.
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Stephen Cowell
From:
Round Rock, Texas, USA
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Posted 16 Apr 2013 4:20 pm
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Your guitar looks to be in great condition... but better pictures would help here. How's the presentation (audience) side look? Are there marks in the finish? Bar scars between necks? How's the case look, all way 'round? Detailed pictures are necessary, and would include pictures inside the tuner and control cavities that establish date of mfgr and original finish. There should be foil inside the pickup cavities, stuck down with black corona dope paint. All pickups, controls, switches, tuners, etc should work flawlessly.
Your guitar has the push buttons... that dates it to around 1955. These are less desirable than the Tele-switch guitars, IMO... the buttons switch is not made any more, so it should be lubricated and otherwise cared for. You have all the bridge covers, etc.
Your guitar is a 24.5" scale... this is the more desirable scale length, most would feel. If the condition is very good to excellent I'd say you'd deserve north of $1500 for it... $2000 would be on the high side. It's a nice guitar, as far as we can tell.
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Too much junk to list... always getting more. |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Posted 16 Apr 2013 4:58 pm
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They don't sell for as much as they did 5 or 6 years ago. All of the multi-neck Fenders are down in value nowadays. Have you noticed that a Deluxe 8 (single 8 with Stringmaster features) now sells for nearly as much as a Stringmaster (D-8 )? A nice Deluxe 8 can sell for up to $1100, and I've seen Stringmasters sell for as little as $1200 and $1300. It seems that the players are opting for lighter guitars. Same thing with amps. Smaller and lighter is the way to go now. Having said that, the T-8 pictured in this thread is a great looking guitar and a classic piece of Fender history.
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Dennis Smith
From:
Covington, Georgia, USA
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Posted 16 Apr 2013 6:55 pm
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That's interesting? I wondered why the Deluxe 8 were going for more the the D8. Guitar Center had a D8 at $999. for a couple of months before it sold.
There a D8 in the local(atl) craigslist for $890. and he started at $1400. and has been comeing down for 4 or 5 weeks. I think it has been repainted and has a lot wear in the photo's. |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Nate Hofer
From:
Overland Park, Kansas
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Posted 17 Apr 2013 3:49 am
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I have a super nice Fender T8 that i bought for $1500 about two years ago. (I just had to have a SM.) That said, I gig enough and practice so much that I've bought a brand new single 8 for nearly a third of the price. More bang for the buck.
Smaller and lighter is right! |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 17 Apr 2013 6:21 am
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A quad Stringmaster just sold on e-bay for $3,500.  |
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Nate Hofer
From:
Overland Park, Kansas
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Posted 17 Apr 2013 6:26 am
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Ebay should not be ignored but to me it definitely represents the upper high end of the price spectrum.
Prices here on the Forum and Craisglist seem to be more attractive. |
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Steven Meyrich
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 17 Apr 2013 7:20 am
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Thanks for the many knowledgeable responses.
I really hate to start taking the guitar apart to check the cavities and such. The case has considerable wear and the finish on the guitar looks original with honest play wear and fading. There don't seem to be bar dings and excessive damage. Everything seems to work albeit a little slippage in some tuner pegs that is manageable.
The push buttons still work but I appreciate they might need lubrication - what would you guys use for that?
Again thanks for the expert opinions which this forum provides. I appreciate that these are heavy and folks don't gig with them too often. I have played out with it a few times but now it stays home, but I sometimes feel that an instrument that doesn't get playing time should go to someone who will use it more.
Anyway it is a nice piece of Fender history as noted.
thanks,Steve |
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Bill McCloskey
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Posted 17 Apr 2013 10:51 am
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"Prices here on the Forum and Craisglist seem to be more attractive."
Maybe not to the seller.  |
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