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Topic: Early 50s Fender 8 string Doubleneck |
Jay Barron
From:
Nashville, Tennessee
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Posted 3 Jun 2007 9:54 am |
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This is in as-found condition; i.e., not very clean. At some point years ago, someone attempted to add pedals to the front neck, and a crude bridge roller mechanism remains.
Not sure of the date, but the "Fender - Fullerton, California" plate may help date it to those more knowledgeable than I am. Decal on the front appears to pre-date the early telecasters I've seen.
Two original pickups on the back neck, and one original pickup on the front neck (one was removed to make room for the bridge modification). Original tweed case is included.
With very little price knowledge of these things, I'm putting it up at $1,000.
_________________
Carter S-12 E9/B6 Universal
Webb Amp |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 3 Jun 2007 10:10 am
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Well, there's a heartbreaker for you. Woodworking with a steak knife.
This is a 26" Stringmaster from 1953-54 ('55?). The 26" 33 fret long neck models with chrome pickup covers, black slider switches, no pickup blend control pots were discontinued soon after.
In good condition, this is a great guitar.
In current condition, parts do turn up here & on ebay. This is certainly a project. I really have no idea of what someone would be willing to pay for this guitar so I won't offer any comments on your asking price. |
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Jay Barron
From:
Nashville, Tennessee
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Posted 3 Jun 2007 10:48 am
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Thanks for the info Jon. Other than the hatchet job, this guitar is in pretty good shape. Body paint is excellent for its age, as are the fretboards.
I'd welcome comments on the price... |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 3 Jun 2007 11:08 am
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| Hey, Jay---sincerely, I just don't know what the market will bear on something like this. A few years ago your $1000 would be laughable. Today---I don't know. Except for the wood damage, one can get a Lollar pickup, an Ebay chrome cover, bridge, tailpiece, pair of bridge covers (if you're willing to wait for these to turn up).....this could end up costing fair market value after the work. I have no doubt there are & will be viewers of your ad doing the calculations. |
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Ron !
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Posted 3 Jun 2007 2:16 pm
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Jon.....there are only a couple guys that I know of that have the knowledge and skills to make this a presentable guitar.I build and re-build steels of various kinds and have to say that my fingers itch.
Take all the parts off and re-chrome them and replace the missing parts will cost you a small fortune.....How ever.....If I had the money right now I would take it.
Although I have to add....not for a grand.
IMO a 750 range would be more appropriate.
Just my 2cents(and thats all I got right now).  |
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 4 Jun 2007 1:29 pm
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It's a damn shame that somebody butchered such a beautiful instrument in this manner.
I have a 53 Quad 26" and it is an exceptional guitar.
The long scale gives you mucho sustain & easy harmonics and a richer tone than the shorter scales.
$1,000 seems like a lot considering its condition, but for a few hundred bucks and some expert luthiery it could be restored - and then it would be worth as much as $2,000.
I hope someone restores it properly, because it could and should still be a fine steel guitar.
RA
BIG STEEL |
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Steve Waltz
From:
USA
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Posted 4 Jun 2007 3:51 pm
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Isn't this a triple with the middle neck gone? The hight difference between necks in the middle seems to be too much and the selectors seem off. I don't think there is a switch between the volume and tone controls.
Maybe with the control plate from a later double neck the missing wood wouldn't be such an issue since it would be all one piece and would cover the damage.
The guitar might play and sound fine at least on the first neck. I refinished mine with guitar reranch stuff and it looks good and it wasn't that hard to do. It did take time. It wasn't exspensive.The metal parts might clean up without a full chrome job.
In short, it's doable and I don't think that there are only a few people around that can do it. That seems a bit over the top. We are not talking about taking apart an acou8stic guitar and rebuilding it.
It does seem that the individual pieces from those guitars are getting exspensive and there won't be much anyone can do to avoid that other than not using them.
Steve |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 5 Jun 2007 6:41 am
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Steve,
I think you're right about the middle neck being missing. You've got a good eye!
I sure would hate to start on the long (and expensive) task of trying to round up the parts necessary to turn this poor, sick, old Stringmaster into something you'd be proud to play.
Here is a T-8 that I bought new in 1954 and then bought back a few years ago. I thought this one was rough when I got it back but nothing compared to the one in question:
This is how it looked when I bought it back:
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Jay Barron
From:
Nashville, Tennessee
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Posted 7 Jun 2007 12:47 pm NEW PRICE on the Fender
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Bump with a new price of $700. Thanks for all the feedback and information.
Jay |
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