Quad Neck Fender Stringmaster Questions

Todd Weger · From: Safety Harbor, FLAUSA

Hi -- I have a possible line on a Fender QUAD neck Stringmaster. I have NOT seen the guitar, nor have I talked with the owner. I got this information 2nd hand from a rockabilly nut here in the Tampa area. He knows a gentleman who owns the guitar. The owner wants to sell it, and I have some questions in general about these instruments.

This friend of mine told me that Fender only made quads one model year. Is that true? He's a rockabilly/old country history FREAK, so I'm thinking he could be right, but I don't know. Secondly, the gentleman with the guitar wants $1,200 for it. Would this be a reasonable price? Again, I DO NOT know the scale length, if everything works, is original, etc., nor have I seen the guitar, but I'm told it's in excellent condition.

So, does anyone know what year(s) these were made, and if it's worth pursuing? I know they ain't light to schlep around, that's for sure. But I've had privledge of seeing one in my life last summer, and it was absolutely beautiful, I gotta say, and sounded that way, too. They do seem a bit overkill, though. I could get by with just three necks.

Thanks for any/all advice in advance.

TJW

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Todd James Weger/RD/RTD
1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (E13, C6) through a vintage Super Reverb

George Keoki Lake · From: Edmonton, AB., Canada

If you have been doing daily workouts at your local gym, my advise is to purchase it. The price seems reasonable enough. But I gotta warn you, it weighs a ton and you better be in shape. Noel Boggs had Serial #0001 and I almost swapped him my new triple neck for his 4 neck plus $100.00 except for the fact I didn't have the $100.00 at the time as we were still struggling with finances in the early years of our marriage. I wish now I had put myself in the 'poor house' and made the deal. What an item to have with his name scrolled across the front!

[This message was edited by George Keoki Lake on 01 June 2001 at 02:30 PM.]

Mark Durante · From: St. Pete Beach FL

AS far as I know, they were available from 1953 to 1969

Cartwright Thompson · Posted 2 Jun 2001 1:52 am

The first year quads had metal covered pickups, and a 26" scale. They didn't have the "blend" control for the dual pickups.
If the guitar is one of these I would leave it alone.
If it is a later one with either 22.5" or 24.5" scale, and all original, then $1200 is a good deal.
Fender made quads(in small quantities) at least into the mid '60's.

Todd Weger · From: Safety Harbor, FLAUSA

I just got off the phone with the guy who has the quad. It IS a 26" instrument and it is 1954. I am going to see it later today to verify on its condition, which he described as excellent. He also is now including an original Fender volume pedal (with also has the side-to-side "boo-wah" tone feature). This gentleman is the ORIGINAL owner of both, and he says he bought them in 1954. I forgot to ask him if it had the blend control knobs, but I'm doubting it.

In any case, he is asking $1200 for it AND the volume pedal combined. I guess what I'm wondering is: since it IS a 26" long scale, and probably (will find out later today) has no blend wheel, should I do as Mr. Thompson says, and leave it alone? Or, at this price, would it be a worthy investment anyway? I just don't want to be saddled with an "undesirable" albatross that nobody seems to want.

Thanks for all your help so far. I really appreciate it!
TJW

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Todd James Weger/RD/RTD
1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (E13, C6) through a vintage Super Reverb

chas smith R.I.P. · From: Encino, CA, USA

If you are buying guitars as investments, there are other things that would be better, if you buy guitars because you love them and what they are and do brings meaning to your life, and you can aford it, then money isn't an issue. I have a '53 quad that one of the guys from Motley Crue had, he had strung up the bottom neck with six strings and someone told him how ridiculous it looked so he took it to Norm's and dumped it, I got there 10 minutes after he had left and got it very cheap, I rarely play it, I just like having it around. I gave a lesson to a young man who had just gotten a D-8 long scale and was just starting, it sounded spectacular and he wouldn't sell it.

Mark Durante · From: St. Pete Beach FL

Some people prefer the long scale, some don't
I have a 26" T-8 from 1954 and it has a sound that the other scales don't have, and it's real easy to play high up on the neck etc.
You will never be unhappy with any Fender from the 50's. But each scale has it's good points, the blend control is cool too on the later 50's Stringmasters.
Those Vol /tone pedals are great too.

[This message was edited by Mark Durante on 03 June 2001 at 06:19 PM.]

Bob Stone · From: Gainesville, FL, USA

In my opinion the first requisite for a bargain is that it has to be what you want. If you really want a triple, then get one.

I might add that Cartwright Thompson has owned about 25 Stringmasters over the years, so his opinions would seem to have some value.

I'd definitely go for the Fender volume/tone pedal.

Bobby Lee · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

From the original owner? Cool! I'd say it was worth $1200, especially with the volume pedal added to the deal.

Ask if he has the sales receipt, too. It would add to the perceived value if you ever wanted to sell it.

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Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (E9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (F Diatonic)
Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6)

Steve England · From: Austin, TX

If you are going to keep worrying about whether you should buy it for that price, give me his phone number and I'll buy it.

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