'Stringmaster' question .....

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Please excuse my ignorance, but I have here what I believe to be a triple-neck Stringmaster that I'm contemplating selling, and I need to be sure that it is what I think it is before I post it on 'Instruments For Sale'.

It has two parallel black s/c pick-ups on each neck. The overall length is around 32", and the scale (determined by measuring the nutt to the bridge) is about 22.5". It's off-white, has four legs and a tweed case with a red lining. It's extremely heavy - especially in its case! It's not immaculate by any means - there's some chipped paint, and the 'Fender' logo is not quite intact, but it all seems to work (p/ups, switches, etc).

I've had this for about three years, but I don't think I'll ever get to love non-pedal guitar, so I'm going to part with it.

First, though, I need to be sure of what it is - thanks for any help you can give.

RR

John Tipka · From: Reynoldsburg,OH

Roger,

A picture is worth more than a thousand words. But the two parallel single coil pickups with black plastic covers identify it as a "Stringmaster". If it also has a knife switch and toggle switch on the middle neck, it is positively a "Stringmaster".

John

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Thanks, John.

Yes, it has those controls at the end of the middle neck.

What about desirability? I assume mine is the shorter-scale guitar - are the 26" better, rarer, or what?

Thanks,

RR

John Tipka · From: Reynoldsburg,OH

Your guitar is a later model than the 26" scale length guitars. Fender stopped making that scale length in 1955-56 when the 22.5 inch length became the standard and 24.5 inch scale length was optional.It is easily identified by chrome pickup covers and slide switches. The 26 inchers have a very sweet sound with beautiful harmonics and long sustain. I repaired one of the best ones I have heard about 7 or 8 years ago. It is owned by and played by Duke Ching.

It is a matter of preference as to what you want to play - tunings and style or genre of music. With tunings requiring lots of bar slants in certain keys, the long scale may not be desirable because of the difficulty in slanting in the large span between the first and third frets. However, as the Stringmasters get more scarce, many steel guitar players are not going to worry about what scale length they are buying.

I ask that you be totally above board in selling the guitar especially when asked to provide additional information. As I said in my original posting, good close-up photographs showing extreme detail will be needed.

Good luck with the sale!

John

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Thanks for your help, John - I appreciate all the information.

I'm not sure I understand your request that I be 'totally above-board' when offering it for sale; I hope that nothing I've said here has suggested to you that I'd be anything else! I aready know three times as much about Stringmasters than I did a couple of hours ago, and I'll obviously be happy to answer any questions that I'm qualified to.

In any event, it's unlikely that a serious buyer would proceed without seeing photos, and these will be made available.

RR

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

Roger--from my observation of general comments and of the market I would say that there is no price premium for either of the two scales. (BTW--I have a 26" SM and it is amazing sounding. It does not have the blender pot though--a feature that came just a bit later.) The two shorter scales each have their proponents and I wouldn't price your guitar any differently than if it were the 24.5".
If it all works well then it's worth a nice chunk of change.

Chuck Fisher · From: Santa Cruz, California, USA * R.I.P.

How many strings on which neck would be a useful piece of data, I understand the date is under one of the tuning-key-pans.

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Thanks, Chuck

!!!

It has eight strings per neck. Sorry - I didn't realise that was a variable.

Thank you, too, Jon; I understand that it can be dated by removing the pans, but I've never gone that far. Jody Carver once posted that the type of case I have indicated a late-'50s guitar (tweed with red lining).

RR

Rick Alexander · From: Florida, USA, R.I.P.

Roger, if your guitar has 2 fret markers above the 24th fret it's a 22 1/2" scale and if it has 3 it's a 24 1/2" scale. (26" has 4)
So you don't even have to measure.

The date is probably in marker under the front tuner pan, and if it has a tweed case it's a 50s model. And that's a good thing . .

RA

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Thanks, Rick; it just has the two markers above the 24th.

RR

Roy McKinney · From: Ontario, OR

Wait a minute on this....I have a 1956 Stringmaster D8 that measures 22.5" between the bridge and nut and there are 5 markers above the 24th fret! Something don't jive!.

Rick Alexander · From: Florida, USA, R.I.P.

Well, here's a 57 T8 with 22 1/2" scale.

and here's a 60 T8 with 24 1/2" scale.

[This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 11 October 2005 at 07:47 PM.]

Roy McKinney · From: Ontario, OR

Thanks Rick, I was counting the frets, not the fret markers. My mistake....sorry!

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