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Topic: New (Old) Fender |
Aaron Garrett
From: Roslindale, Massachusetts, USA
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Posted 3 Apr 2004 7:00 pm
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I just got a 1951 Fender Deluxe-8, and it's a really great guitar. I want to get as Speedy West of a sound as I can. I'm using a Mesa Boogie Studio 22 tube amp. What would you suggest for strings (gauges, brands), and for amp settings (generally)?
Thanks! |
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George Keoki Lake
From: Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 3 Apr 2004 10:31 pm
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Hope you can do it. I checked my driver's license and found to my horror it had MY name on it and NOT Speedy West ! |
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basilh
From: United Kingdom
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Posted 4 Apr 2004 9:46 am
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Hello Aaron... can you post a picture of this guitar... I'm curious...I'm not familiar with the Deluxe-8 from that era, I always thought that they were single neck versions of the 'Stringmaster'..and from the mid 50's onwards.
Baz
www.waikiki-islanders.com
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Quote: |
Steel players do it without fretting |
http://www.waikiki-islanders.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
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Russ Young
From: Seattle, Washington, USA
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Posted 4 Apr 2004 9:57 am
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Baz, the "Deluxe 8" name was first used in 1950. (The first Fender "Deluxe" steels date back to 1946.) Deluxe 8s had a trapezoid pickup until 1956 or 1957, when the Stringmaster features -- dual understring pickups, a pickup balance knob and a bridge cover -- were added. Deluxe 6s and 8s were discontinued in 1981.
At least that's what George Gruhn says ... but I'll put my money on Jody Carver's memory! |
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Jon Light
From: Saugerties, NY
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Posted 4 Apr 2004 10:01 am
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I'm not sure where I got this pic---maybe from Brad's site? |
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Aaron Garrett
From: Roslindale, Massachusetts, USA
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Posted 4 Apr 2004 11:26 am
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I'm just confused. I thought that the "Stringmaster" name came later, and the earlier one's were called Deluxe-8s, but that's clearly just my confusion. I'm judging the date by the serial number (1529). It has two single coil pickups, a volume and a balance knob and three legs. The bridge cover is not trapezoidal, more like a Precision Bass bridge cover. So this is a Stringmaster then? [This message was edited by Aaron Garrett on 04 April 2004 at 12:27 PM.] |
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John Pelz
From: Kettering, Ohio, USA
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Jon Light
From: Saugerties, NY
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Posted 4 Apr 2004 11:44 am
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There have been a couple of posts over the years that squared this question away but I didn't absorb it well. Aaron--I don't think you are in error. I think that after the Fender discontinuation of the old trapezoid models (which did overlap for a couple of years with the SMs) the Stringmaster single neck continued to be called the Deluxe.
edit: however I think you are in error with the '51 date---the Stringmaster type guitars were introduced------I want to say '54 but I think I recently read '53?
edit #2: forget about serial # when dating these. The only reliable source for a date (aside from my first statement about style-change time-line) is to pull out the tuner pan and look for a pencil notation, usually initials and month/year.[This message was edited by Jon Light on 04 April 2004 at 12:49 PM.] |
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Russ Young
From: Seattle, Washington, USA
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Posted 4 Apr 2004 11:53 am
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Aaron: Sorry if I'm confusing you ... the guitar in the picture appears to be a Deluxe 8 from between 1950 and 1957. Your description sounds like one of the later Deluxe 8s with "Stringmaster" features.
The Stringmaster name was only used on 2-, 3- and 4-neck guitars. The single-neck guitars (6s and 8s) like yours were Deluxe 6s and Deluxe 8s. The Deluxe name continued to be used even after all Deluxes had "Stringmaster" features (by 1957). [This message was edited by Russ Young on 04 April 2004 at 12:59 PM.] |
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basilh
From: United Kingdom
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Posted 4 Apr 2004 6:47 pm
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So now we know !!
I only asked because I have a Deluxe-8 from 1957 that is more like a single neck 'Stringmaster'
Baz |
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Aaron Garrett
From: Roslindale, Massachusetts, USA
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Posted 5 Apr 2004 6:17 am
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Thank you all! Any suggestions for strings? |
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Andy Volk
From: Boston, MA
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Posted 5 Apr 2004 6:47 am
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For gauges, check out John Ely's chart: http://www.hawaiiansteel.com/learning/gauges.html
You'll get many differing opinions re string brands. I haven't tried Newtone but a lot of folks seem to like them. I've had good luck with John Pearse's brand. |
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Alvin Sydnor
From: Boothwyn, Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 5 Apr 2004 3:34 pm
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Can someone please post a wiring diagram of the tone and volume circuit for this guitar.
Thanks
Alvin |
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