Need advice for selling a Fender String Master 4 neck

Julie Huckman · From: Colorado, USA

Hi, I'm new to the Forum and have inherited a Fender Stringmaster 4 neck steel guitar from my grandfather. Originally I was going to keep it, but realistically I'm not going to learn how to play it and I just want it to go to a good home. I would like fair value for it also. This is what I know. I'm not sure of the year model, but it was completely reconditioned in 1991. I've seen price ranges from $2000 to $15000 (on Pawn Stars for an original Bogg's). Can anyone enlighten me? And I do not have a case.

Thanks,
Julie

Mike Neer · From: NJ

Hi Julie. That is a nice, big olâ€™ guitar your grandfather played. Can you tell us more about him?

As far as value, because it was reconditioned so drastically, itâ€™s going to be on the lower end of the price spectrum. Itâ€™s difficult to put a value on it, but if a clean quad Stringmaster was going for $4k, for instance, this one might only fetch $2-2.5k, since it is missing is original paint, fretboards and case. This is just an educated guess, but ultimately itâ€™s worth only what someone is willing to pay for it. Collectors are the ones who usually shell out the bucks for the stock, untouched guitarsâ€”this is a player.

Good luck!
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Bill McCloskey · Posted 4 Jan 2018 1:48 pm

there is one currently on for sale section. the listing is from 2016, they were asking $3,400 and it doesn't look like it sold. Original condition.

I agree with Mike, the current condition, even though it looks cool and probably plays great would probably go for $1,500. Hard to say though.

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

Just FYI, this guitar ought to date to around 1955.

Unfortunately, as Mike says, the non-original condition will impact market value. A lot of the price of these things involves the age and 'timepiece essence' of these old, beautiful instruments. Stripped it of that antique-ness, the actual instrument will have a different $$ value.
You could possibly find 4 repro fretboards and make this look more like an original Stringmaster, just to make it look more 'right' (not to fool anyone) ..... that could help people get over the first reaction that 'that don't look right'.

Best of luck!

Jeff Mead · From: London, England

I agree that a set of repro fretboards would make this a much more desirable instrument and on a par with the other refinished ones out there. If you do decide to get some, you need to measure from the nut to the bridge (or from the nut to the 12th fret and multiply by 2) and make sure you get the correct boards - they will be either 22.5" or 24.5"

The only other thing that doesn't look right from the picture is the legs. They look like they go straight down and with a Stringmaster of that age they should splay out at an angle.

Of course, the $15000 price tag on the "Boggs" quad would have been because it was owned and played by Noel Boggs.

Julie Huckman · From: Colorado, USA

Thanks everyone. That gives me a good idea of what to sell it for. The legs actually do angle out also. I will post it in the "For Sale" section.

Andy DePaule · From: Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon

No truer words could have been said that what Mike said here;
"But ultimately itâ€™s worth only what someone is willing to pay for it. "
Good luck with the sale.
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