Fender Dual 8 - advice?

Stewart Laird · From: Sydney, Australia

Hi

I'm new to the forum and as yet don't even own a steel guitar. I've been playing guitar for 30+ years and have owned many instruments and amplifiers. Recently I've become interested in lap steels and consoles and have been doing quite a bit of research on the subject - mainly via the Forum and Brad's Page of Steel.

Anyway, it looks like in the next month or so I'll have the opportunity to buy a Fender Dual 8 professional. I've only seen photos of the instrument - it's currently being shipped to my home town from the US. It's the model with the trapezoid pickups. I believe it's a '51 or '52 model. I've seen a photo of a '48 model on the net and I noticed that the pickups were different to the one I'm looking at buying- rectangualar rather than trapezoid. I'm guessing at the date based on this information.

I've been told that it needs a good cleanup and the tweed case is in bad shape.

I'd really appreciate any advice about the possible pitfalls of buying this guitar. For example - pickup problems and tuners etc. I'm a little concerned about the short scale (22?) - it seems that a lot of people prefer 24.5.

I know the Dual 8 Pro is a different animal to the later Stringmaster guitars. From what I've learned, It seems that it would be a great instrument to play as well as being a good investment. I plan to use the instrument in my home studio and probably live - country and honky tonk. I'll use it with a 66 Pro Reverb amp.

Any comments or advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Fred Layman · From: Springfield, Missouri USA

Stewart, someone (e.g., Jody) can correct me if I am incorrect here, but I believe that the Duals with trapezoid pickups were Dual Customs and the ones with rectangular pickups were Dual Professionals. I have owned a double-8 model and now have a triple-8 model with the trapezoids. Both had/have a sweet tone. I prefer them over the Stringmasters, both for tone and the fact that slant bars are easier to accomplish on the shorter 22" scale, especially below the 12th fret. But others on the Forum prefer the Stringmasters.

The common problem with the older used Duals is that the knob on the tuning keys strip out and are irreplaceable. The keys themselves may have been adequate for the times, but key technology has improved greatly since the 50s, so the owner has to decide whether he wants to keep the instrument with original features or replace the keys. The latter in itself is quite a feat, since the knobs all have to be removed in order to desolder and remove the keys from the pan mounting to which they are attached. The new keys then have to have removeable knobs so the stems can be inserted through the holes in the pan and the keys be soldered to the pan. Some owners have cut slots in the keyhead pan and soldered them to the pan without having to remove the knobs. But that disfigures the original appearance of the pan. FWIW

Jody Carver · From: KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED

Fred
Good post and good advice.The Dual Pro was
always a great sounding guitar,however the
box car pickups on the early models were replaced by the "direct string pickup design"
as you posted. They now call the DSP trapaziods.

The Dual Pro was never reffered to as a Dual
Custom,but that would have been a good name for it. I for one prefer the Custom & or Dual
pro over the stringmaster guitar. I like both
but from a standpoint of tone, body,etc I like the traps as the Dual and the Custom have.

Your other advice re tuners etc etc are right
on. Stewart you could not have had better advice and a description than that posted by
Fred.

I couldnt have said it better than Fred. If you can,,buy it,you will be happy Im sure.

Fred,you really know your Fenders.Good post.

Merry Christmas

Jody

John Bechtel · From: Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.

I am looking for a T-8 Fender String Master w/ 22 1/2" scale. They were made, however; I've only ever seen one. But, somewhere out there is the person who will make my dreams come true by putting that T-8 up for sale. I know they exist! I'm not thinking UFO here! Contact me at KeoniNui@webv.net http://community.webtv.net/KeoniNui/doc "Big John"

Ron Randall · From: Dallas, Texas, USA

John:
I was in contact with Herb Steiner before the May convention about a short scale T8 stringmaster. he had one then.

Stewart:
I have a wonderful D8 as you describe with the Trapezoid pickups, short scale. I play it everyday. I love it for the ability to slant and move quickly up and down the necks.
The only negative is that the pickups are in the way of my picking hand. But, I manage.
Another negative is getting set down behind the guitar. The right side guitar legs can cramp your right leg if you are sitting down. I am 5 foot 8 inches. Sometimes, I put my right leg on the outside.

Mostly, I love it for what it is, work with the shortcomings and play it.

------------------
Fender Stringmaster T-8
Fender Custom D-8
8 string Benoit
Peavey Amps

Stewart Laird · From: Sydney, Australia

Thanks everyone - very useful iformation. I'll have a chance to look at the guitar in a few weeks. I'm also curious as to what wood these guitars are made of. Is it Swamp Ash like the early 50's Telecasters?

My other option would be to buy a new instrument such as a single 8 Sierra.

Jody Carver · From: KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED

Ron
I told you once before,,your problem is with
your middle leg.

Mark Durante · From: St. Pete Beach FL

I believe some of the early ones were Oak, by the early fifties Ash. Correct me if I'm wrong Jody, and did the dark colored ones use Walnut?

John Bechtel · From: Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.

I am not positive, however; I owned a 24 1/2" S/M D-8 back in the early '50's, and someone told me at the time that the wood was Ash. I'm only taking their word for that! Once, when I acquired a nick in the paint, the closest color to match was called Cameo Ivory. If I can't find my 22 1/2" T-8 S/M I will settle for the 24 1/2" model, but; only after I've searched the world over! I know there's one out there looking for me, and someday, we'll meet! And it will be C6/A7, C-Diatonic, and E9 all the way! Hi–Yo! "Big John" KeoniNui@webtv.net http://community.webtv.net/KeoniNui/doc

Todd Weger · From: Safety Harbor, FLAUSA

John -- check your email. There was one on Ebay that never met the reserve price ($899)! It's not in perfect shape, but if I'd had the dough, I'd have snatched it up just to have it around. With some TLC, this looks like a good 'un. Oh yes -- it appears to be the same year as my 24.5" scale T-8 (1956).

TJW

------------------
Todd James Weger/RD/RTD
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (C6, E13, B11); 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (C6, E13); Melobar SLS lapsteel (open D); Chandler RH-4 Koa semi-hollow lapsteel (open G); Regal resonator (open D or G)

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

I've seen at least one custom that was made of Oak but if I had control over the situation I'd seek out a Custom made of Swamp Ash because of its superior tonal characteristics. Were the dark Walnut guitars made of actual Walnut or merely finished in a Walnut stain?

[This message was edited by Andy Volk on 28 December 2002 at 11:36 AM.]

Bobbe Seymour · From: Hendersonville TN USA, R.I.P.

Walnut

Jody Carver · From: KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED

Pistachio

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

I like 'em refinished in either Burnt Orange or Avacado.

Forum Index > Steel Without Pedals		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: