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Topic: Stringmaster pickups |
Jim McGinnis
From:
Owasso, OK USA
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Posted 6 Jan 2022 3:21 pm |
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I have a triple neck Fender Stringmaster that I have owned for close to 30 years and dearly love the guitar. However, It sounds like my pickups are going bad.
The top neck sounds great and is the best. Rich volume and sound. The middle neck not quite as good but ok. The bottom neck sounds thin and tinny.
Is it the pickups or the on/off toggle switch that switches between necks.
If it's the pickups, where can I get them repaired?
Any help appreciated. Thanks.
I've tried to upload a picture of the guitar but can't seem to get it to work. Each neck has dual pickups.
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Jim McGinnis |
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K Maul
From:
Hadley, NY/Hobe Sound, FL
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Posted 6 Jan 2022 4:05 pm
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Jerry Sentell has done very good work for me with my Fender Dual Professionals. He is fast and is a good communicator. Email him, https://www.sentellpickups.net/
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KEVIN MAUL: Airline, Beard, Clinesmith, Danelectro, Evans, Fender, GFI, Gibson, Hilton, Ibanez, Justice, K+K, Live Strings, MOYO, National, Oahu, Peterson, Quilter, Rickenbacher, Sho~Bud, Supro, TC, Ultimate, VHT, Williams, X-otic, Yamaha, ZKing. |
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Tom Wolverton
From:
Carpinteria, CA
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Posted 6 Jan 2022 10:07 pm
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I too would recommend Jerry Sentell.
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To write with a broken pencil is pointless. |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 7 Jan 2022 2:06 am
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Me three on Sentells.
They will build whatever one requests, within reason. I've used at least a dozen Sentell pickups of different types -- from P-90s to humbuckers in 6, 7, and 8-string configurations -- and all have been excellent and reasonably priced. They have rewound a couple of Gibson wide oval/racetrack single coils that sound as good if not better than the originals. Jerry and Christine run a smooth operation, both from the products themselves to their exemplary customer service and rapid turnaround and delivery. A few years back they wound me a set of custom 7-string Stringmaster-style pickups that sound truly excellent in one of my rescued basketcase Ultratones, and at a great price.
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Tim Whitlock
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 7 Jan 2022 8:49 am
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I had the exact same issue you described, but on the middle neck of my '56 T8 Stringmaster. I plugged a cable into the output jack and clipped my multi-meter onto the other end of the cable. I tested each neck by switching it on and then changing the balance control to full "on" and full "off". I found that they read 7.7k - 8.0k ohms except the middle neck with the balance control in full bridge position where it read 135k. That is how I identified the bad pickup.
I sent my pickup to Nick Fryer in Cincinnati, who is doing some great things with Fender steel guitar pickups. It came back beautifully matched. I have had good results from Jerry Sentell as well, but Nick is my go to guy now. |
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john widgren
From:
Wilton CT
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Posted 7 Jan 2022 11:03 am pickup line
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Yup..Sentells for my fender type builds. JW
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Steel Guitar Services:
Live performance and recording. Instruments, repairs and lessons. Fresh bait/discount sushi.
(203) 858-8498
widcj@hotmail.com |
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Stephen Cowell
From:
Round Rock, Texas, USA
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Posted 7 Jan 2022 11:29 am
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Make sure you have the blend full 'on'... the little wheel under the bridge cover.
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Too much junk to list... always getting more. |
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Jim McGinnis
From:
Owasso, OK USA
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Posted 8 Jan 2022 9:38 am
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Stephen, thanks for the tip. I did check the "wheel" and the middle and bottom neck weren't totally open. The top neck was.
However, when I opened the Wheel on both the middle and bottom necks there was some improvement but the bottom neck is still definitely not performing correctly.
I will send an Email to Jerry. Now, I have to find someone who can remove them for me. I'm a retired Attorney and can't spell mechanic ..... .
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Jim McGinnis |
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Michael Johnstone
From:
Sylmar,Ca. USA
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Terry VunCannon
From:
Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 8 Jan 2022 12:17 pm
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Tom Brantley of Brantley Rewinds in NC can rebuild/restore your original pups. (804) 467-5887
He does all my work. |
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G Strout
From:
Carabelle, Florida
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Posted 8 Jan 2022 12:21 pm
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Jerry does repairs and rewinds as well as new pickup builds. In fact I need to contact him to see if he can make a humbucker that will fit in an old Franz pickup cover so that I won't have to modify my 1957 M-75. I would also recommend Jerry Sentell.
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Melbert 8, Remington S8, Silk 6 string, Rick B6, Tremblay 6 lap steel, Marlen S-10 4&4, Prestige Guild M75 and Artist Award, Benedetto Bravo, Epiphone Century Electar (the real one) and a bunch of old lap steels.... mostly Ricks and Magnatones' |
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Jim McGinnis
From:
Owasso, OK USA
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Posted 11 Jan 2022 2:21 pm Stringmaster pickups
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Thanks guys for the help.
I sent the two pickups to Jerry this afternoon via UPS. Should arrive next Monday.
Thanks to Basil for the schematics for all the wiring in case I get it screwed up putting it back together.
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Jim McGinnis |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 12 Jan 2022 8:24 am Re: Stringmaster pickups
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| Jim McGinnis wrote: |
| I sent the two pickups to Jerry this afternoon via UPS |
A wise decision. |
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Jim McGinnis
From:
Owasso, OK USA
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Posted 15 Mar 2022 10:11 am Stringmaster pickups
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Guys, I finally got around to reinstalling the pickups from Sentell. I think they are going to sound great.
The problem I’m having now is getting the two switches on the middle neck to work correctly on all three necks.
Neither of the switches are working correctly.
The toggle switch to turn on all three necks turns on the top and bottom neck but not the middle.
The three way switch works the bottom neck but neither of the other two.
Have you ever run into this problem? My neighbor helped me remove the pickups and we took several pictures before removing so I think we got the wiring correct when we installed.
I’m making an appointment with a local guitar repair shop and hope they can save me. I’m thinking the switches should be replaced anyway at 70 years old.
If they can’t repair or don’t have the knowledge, any recommendations on who I should send the guitar too?
Thanks for the replies.
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Jim McGinnis |
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Tony Oresteen
From:
Georgia, USA
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Posted 16 Mar 2022 6:59 pm
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| Terry VunCannon wrote: |
Tom Brantley of Brantley Rewinds in NC can rebuild/restore your original pups. (804) 467-5887
He does all my work. |
+1 on Tom. He has done great work for me. Right now he has a '64 RI Telecaster pickup of mine to rewind.
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Tony
Newnan, GA
Too many guitars, not enough time to play
'72 Sho-Bud 6139, '71 Marlen 210
'78 Fender Stringmaster Quad black
PedalMaster D8 |
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Clyde Mattocks
From:
Kinston, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 16 Mar 2022 9:14 pm
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To Jim McGinnis or any one else that may be experiencing a similar problem. Several years ago, i had a problem getting signal on one neck on a triple neck Fender. I was pretty sure I had it wired right and got a chart to confirm it. After a couple days of frustration, I discovered that although the solder was stuck to the wire, the wire was so old and cankered that it was only making contact with the outer layer. When I cut off the outer layer of wire and soldered to the cleaner wire underneath....walla! Signal!
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LeGrande II, Nash. 112, Fender Twin Tone Master, Session 400, Harlow Dobro, R.Q.Jones Dobro |
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Jim McGinnis
From:
Owasso, OK USA
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Posted 23 Mar 2022 11:00 am stringmaster
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Guys, to give you an update I just picked up my triple neck Fender from Guitar Technical Services in Tulsa, Ok. So happy I found them. One of the techs has a double neck Fender and is familiar with the guitars.
Turns out my soldering connections weren't good and the triple switch wasn't making good contact. That was probably my problem all along so I really didn't need to have the two pickups rewired. Live and learn.
Thanks for all the reply's, and suggestions.
He also told me that the serial number on the front neck was 3366. Do any of you have any ideas on the year this guitar was made?
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Jim McGinnis |
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Jeff Mead
From:
London, England
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Posted 25 Mar 2022 1:48 am Re: stringmaster
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| Jim McGinnis wrote: |
| He also told me that the serial number on the front neck was 3366. Do any of you have any ideas on the year this guitar was made? |
There wouldn't be a serial number on the front neck. The serial number is under the bridge cover on the back neck (the one with the volume and tone controls on it) but I assume you don't mean this one as you wouldn't need a guitar tech to tell you that.
There is often a pencil date undsr one or more of the tuner pans, at least up till the late 50s which would answer your question (assuming it hasn't been refinished and removed).
Serial numbers are pretty inconsistent on Fender steels - a picture of the instrument would enable us to help you identify the year more easily. Specifically, the switches, tuner pan, case (if you are pretty sure it's original) and pot codes can help too.
Unlike Strats and Teles, the age seems to make little difference to value for steels. |
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Jim McGinnis
From:
Owasso, OK USA
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Posted 25 Mar 2022 7:30 am Stringmaster pickups
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Jeff here is a pic of my guitar. When I said front neck, I was referring the one closer to me..........not the top neck. I am aware that the serial number could normally be found under the neck pan and discussed with the tech. Just wasnt sure what the 3366 indicated and that maybe they had changed later in years.
The tech is under the impression that it was built later in the 50s from the knobs and pickups on the guitar.
Thanks for your reply.
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Jim McGinnis |
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Jeff Mead
From:
London, England
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Posted 25 Mar 2022 9:44 am Re: Stringmaster pickups
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| Jim McGinnis wrote: |
Jeff here is a pic of my guitar. When I said front neck, I was referring the one closer to me..........not the top neck. I am aware that the serial number could normally be found under the neck pan and discussed with the tech. Just wasnt sure what the 3366 indicated and that maybe they had changed later in years.
The tech is under the impression that it was built later in the 50s from the knobs and pickups on the guitar.
Thanks for your reply. |
So, what is the serial number under the bridge cover? Although not as reliable a dating method as it would be on a Strat or Tele, in general lower numbers suggest older guitars so they are of some use.
The knobe are easily changed and, as they are identical to the ones used on Telecasters (also the switch tips) these are sometimes removed to restore a vintage Tele but, if original, the domed knobs suggest 50s for sure. Do the tuner pans have a patent number or do they say "PAT PENDING"?
I don't suppose he checked or made note of the pot codes by any chance?
At a first glance, I'd say late 50s (although this spec was made up to the late 60s)- the blade switch means it is no older than 1956 - before that, it would have had 3 push buttons.
I have never seen a serial number under a tuner pan so no idea what that number is.
Looks like a lovely guitar though. |
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Tim Whitlock
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 26 Mar 2022 1:46 pm
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On my '56 T8 the assembly date was written in pencil under the tuning pan furthest from the player. This is the easiest way to date a 50s Stringmaster, although I don't know when Fender stopped doing this. It should be easy to loosen the strings and pop out the pan for a quick peek. Here is a D8 Stringmaster recently for sale on the SGF ith a photo of the date under the pans:
https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=379674
Pot codes can be problematic because Fender bought them in bulk and used them over time. The pots can get you within probably a year or two. |
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Eric Philippsen
From:
Central Florida USA
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Posted 28 Mar 2022 11:39 am
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Re: Stringmaster date.
I just got a T-8 Stringmaster. It was pretty grungy but cleaned up nice. Anyway, right under the nearest tuner pan was the pencilled-in date. 9/57. Pretty cool. |
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