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Topic: Tripleneck Stringmaster maintenance question |
Todd Weger
From:
Safety Harbor, FLAUSA
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Posted 21 Jul 2001 4:28 am |
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Hello all -- I just purchased a gorgeous 24.5 scale '56 T-8, and LOVE the tone of it. It's much richer than my 22.5 scale D-8 (but I still like the short scale for certain things).
Now, one thing I noticed is that with the three necks connected together the way they are, over time, they've gotten a bit loose from one another. Not terrible, but there's maybe a 1/4 inch or so "play" in there, so that when you set it up, you need to pull the front two legs out a little to make it stable. I notice it on my D-8, but to a much lesser degree.
Is there a way to tighten them back up? Or is this just something you live with, and it only gets worse over time? I apologize for asking this if it's been asked before. With so many Stringmaster players out there, I'm sure it has.
Thanks!
TJW
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Todd James Weger/RD/RTD
1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (E13, C6) through an old Super Reverb or Deluxe; Melobar SLS (open G); Chandler RH-4 Koa semi-hollow lapsteel (A6)
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 21 Jul 2001 5:28 am
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I'm glad that you posed this question as I also have the same problem with two of my Stringmasters. I am hesitant to try to adjust this without some guidence which I'm sure that we will obtain here from knowledgeable folks.
I would assume though,that the D8 would have 2 - 3 single bolts that are behind those triangular plates that just need to be tightened. The T8 may have two necks bolted together and the third neck bolted to that, I would guess. Somebody will set us straight. |
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Dana Duplan
From:
Ramona, CA
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Posted 21 Jul 2001 6:29 am
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It's the same method for all of the Stringmasters--Quad necks included! There are simply two threaded rods that go through each body section--the more necks, the longer the rod. The adjustment is done by removing the little triangular plates and snugging up the rods with an allen wrench in the socket head caps at the end of each rod. I tighten them gradually, alternating the pattern ie left front, right rear, right front, left rear, etc. until they are snug. I would avoid overtightening--you can always snug them more later, but I wouldn't want to strip any threads!
DD |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 21 Jul 2001 8:35 am
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| Thank you Dana....well Todd, I guess we can get to work now...... |
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Todd Weger
From:
Safety Harbor, FLAUSA
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Posted 22 Jul 2001 5:41 pm
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Alright! Thanks for that info, Dana. I was guessing it might be something like that, but wasn't sure. Also, thanks for the tip about not overtightening, and going alternating until all are tight. Great advice.
Yeah Howard, I guess we'd better get busy. Thanks again!
TJW |
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Todd Weger
From:
Safety Harbor, FLAUSA
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Posted 27 Jul 2001 5:38 am
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YES!! It worked GREAT! Thanks to all. I couldn't believe how little tweaking it took, too. Not much at all, and it's nice 'N snug again.
Thanks again.
TJW
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Todd James Weger/RD/RTD
1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (E13, C6) through an old Super Reverb or Deluxe; Melobar SLS (open G); Chandler RH-4 Koa semi-hollow lapsteel (A6)
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Gene Jones
From:
Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)
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Posted 27 Jul 2001 8:12 am
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| * [This message was edited by Gene Jones on 06 May 2002 at 08:55 AM.] |
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Jody Carver
From:
KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED
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Posted 29 Jul 2001 6:53 am
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Gene,,,,your guitar is a "solid piece of wood" a support rod was put there,,for what reason I will never know. It does not do anything but just sturdy the guitar.
Leo Fender made everything "stronger" than necessary,,.
The stringmasters have the adjustment hex rod
to keep the necks together,,,that has been a topic that was raised many times,,,his logic was,,,,the triple custom was solid wood and heavy,,,If he made the same model in a four neck as an example,,it would be heavier yet.
Noel Boggs ,Freddy Tavares designed that guitar along with Leo.. Here is an example of Leo's theory "stronger is better"
Leo always bought a Cadillac,,,,every two years,,,same color outside "white" inside blue" ,,,after he buys the Cadillac,,,he takes it to the shop and has the mechanic install heavy duty shocks and springs,,,,he took me for a ride in his new Cadillac one day....my teeth were "rattling" the road was rough,,,he said ..."well howda ya like er,,,
I said its nice Leo ,,but why does it ride so rough and hard,,,,he said "it handles better" and lasts longer.
He would give everyone his new found invention,,,he said ,,,"those GM people make ya feel like ya were riding on a soft mattress,,,,I like to "feel the road"
I said Hey Leo,,you just ran over a dime heads up,,,,he had to pull over,,he thought that was the funniest line he had ever heard.
I remarked Leo how many miles do you drive each year,,,he replied Oh, about 3000 sometimes 4000,,,I said then why are you worried about the car lasting longer,,his answer,,,,the person that gets this baby on a trade in will have the strongest caddy ever built,,,,,now you know why you have the diamonds on the front Gene,,,,take one off and have a look,,,,,,Jody PS ya had to have strong kidneys to ride in Leo's Caddy,,,he didnt like to make too many "pit stops" look
under your guitar where the "middle leg inserts" get a flash light and you see see a small portion of a steel rod,,,,it may have been from one of his springs from the caddy
His motto???? waste not want not....OH yeah
his favorite trousers were blue&white houndstooth with his white belt.,,,he told me he had 10 pr of the exact same pants same color etc,,,,,whatta guy.....this will be in the BOOK,,,,and more,,,,,you get the first copy...It's been said that no one with "dentures" dare to ride in Leo's Cadillac,,,hope he didnt ask God to put a heavy duty suspension on that cloud he is on now up in "heaven" or maybe he sold "god on the idea" so when you die ,,,it may be a "rough ride" If I die before you,,,I know what to expect,,,,bring an extra soft cushion
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Copyright(c) 2001 by
Jody Carver "All Rights
Reserved"
[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 29 July 2001 at 08:02 AM.] |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 29 Jul 2001 11:04 am
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| Folks, there is only one Jody Carver,and he is indeed a treasure and a pleasure....... |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 29 Jul 2001 12:28 pm
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| Hey Jody, I was thinking (for a change), is that Triple Custom really one piece of lumber or, is it two or three pieces that have been glued & clamped together? If that's the case, the support rods would be insurance in case it starts to split. [This message was edited by HowardR on 29 July 2001 at 01:31 PM.] |
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Gene Jones
From:
Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)
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Posted 29 Jul 2001 12:34 pm
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*
[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 06 May 2002 at 08:55 AM.] |
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Jody Carver
From:
KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED
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Posted 29 Jul 2001 1:51 pm
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Howard,,,,It was one solid piece of wood as far as I can remember... I saw the block of wood on the bench in the shop. I told the story of how Forrest White Leo's production manager ordered new furniture (table & chairs) for the little lunch room Fender had in its factory. The factory workers were able to have their lunch there.
When the furniture was delivered,,,Leo saw it and said,,,,Send it Back...he then made up tables and chairs himself along with a couple of the other fellows ,,,everything was "lock jointed" tongue in groove and strong as "steel".
Did you ever see the old Fender ad where Leo had one of the heaviest and fattest guys who worked in the factory stand on a guitar neck?
The way they did it was to place the neck on two "horses" the wood type put the neck across the two wooden "horses" and have this 350 Lb guy stand on the middle of the neck.
Leo thought that was the greatest ad ever. I wondered what ever happened to that fellow,,,he was a mexican,,,in fact I think he was the "entire country"
Some time I will tell you of how Leo would go to the dealer to buy a car,,,I was never there but the story was told to me by Forrest
White,,,,many stories about Leo Fender that I will never ever forget..
Thanks for your nice comments,,,Im happy that you appreciate these little memories..I have many more,,,but although they are nice to have ...they also make me sad to think that those days are gone.
I often wonder what kind of a car Leo would manufacture if he were in the auto industry.
It was my good fortune being there as a great time of my life,,,I wouldnt trade those memories for anything...That Fender quad is a "treasure" Howard,,,,,as Speedy once told me,quote" those aint to be had any more"unquote,,,,dont ever sell it.....good luck with it,,,ya got the best Leo had to offer,,,it will last you a lifetime and then some.
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Copyright(c) 2001 by
Jody Carver "All Rights
Reserved"
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Jody Carver
From:
KNIGHT OF FENDER TWEED
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Posted 29 Jul 2001 1:54 pm
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| Howard ,,check your e mail will send a few pics of Leo |
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Gene Jones
From:
Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)
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Posted 30 Jul 2001 4:04 am
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| * [This message was edited by Gene Jones on 06 May 2002 at 08:56 AM.] |
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