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Topic: 26" scale Stringmaster |
Rick Collins
From: Claremont , CA USA
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Posted 11 Dec 2013 11:10 am
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After pulling out a tuner pan of my triple 26" Stringmaster, I noticed the mfg. date as 7/54.
I had thought it was made earlier __ also thought the model redesign was early 1954.
Does anyone know the approximate date the last 26" scale models were made?
Many thanks. |
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Scott Thomas
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Posted 11 Dec 2013 11:47 am
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I had a 26" T-8 dated 11-54 in the tuning pan, with a 12-54 date on masking tape in the control cavity. |
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Erv Niehaus
From: Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 12 Dec 2013 12:53 pm
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I believe this 26" guitar is an early 1955.
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chas smith R.I.P.
From: Encino, CA, USA
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Posted 12 Dec 2013 8:20 pm
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This one, ser# 0237, is from 1953
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Erv Niehaus
From: Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 13 Dec 2013 8:07 am
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Just to show that you can't go by the serial numbers on Fender guitars, that quad that I posted has serial number #0002. |
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Rick Collins
From: Claremont , CA USA
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Posted 13 Dec 2013 9:25 am
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Some have said that Leo Fender liked the sound of the 26" scale Stringmaster better than the later design.
If so, the change must have been for "easier assembly". I see the blend pots as the only improvement.
Also, some say the 26" scale makes for more difficult slants.
It isn't too difficult. Johnny Sibert didn't have that problem __ I find it quite easy. |
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Scott Thomas
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Posted 13 Dec 2013 10:04 am
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I understand there were also problems with strings breaking, especially if you tried to go above an E. |
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Bill Creller
From: Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 14 Dec 2013 9:08 am
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I still believe that the 26 inch has the best tone, in general.
Anyone know how much a quad weighs ? |
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chas smith R.I.P.
From: Encino, CA, USA
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Posted 14 Dec 2013 12:47 pm
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Erv, proving once again, that, "however I think it works, it doesn't".
Scott, string breakage for the high G, on the C6 tuning, for me, was never ending.
Bill, this one weighs 36#.
Years ago, I was asked for a steel lesson by a friend of a friend, who had an 8 string guitar. He showed up with a D8 long scale Stringmaster and it was one of the best sounding instruments that I've heard. I told him that if he ever wanted to sell it, call me 1st and I'll write him a check.
About a year later, he did call, because he was moving to Hawaii, and thought he wanted to sell the guitar. It made no sense to me and I told him that, yes, I wanted it, but to be honest with him, he didn't want to sell that guitar. He kept it and called me about 6 month later to thank me so very much for not buying it. |
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Scott Thomas
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Posted 14 Dec 2013 4:35 pm
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chas smith wrote: |
Scott, string breakage for the high G, on the C6 tuning, for me, was never ending.
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Yeah, I broke a couple just bringing them up to pitch and never tried again after that. |
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Jon Light
From: Saugerties, NY
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Erv Niehaus
From: Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 15 Dec 2013 7:27 am
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I never had a problem with string breakage on my 26" guitars.
However, I never went higher than an E on the 1st string. |
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Nate Hofer
From: Overland Park, Kansas
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Posted 16 Dec 2013 7:10 am
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Scott Thomas wrote: |
I understand there were also problems with strings breaking, especially if you tried to go above an E. |
No string breakage on my 26er and I use a high G# on my E13 neck. I think I use an .011 (or a .010) there. |
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