Bridge Cover for Fender Stringmaster

Ali Lexa · Post by **Ali Lexa** » 30 Dec 2007 8:25 pm

I recently bought a distressed late 50's Fender Stringmaster D-8. I've spent about $600 restoring it over the last few months.
It didn't have the bridge covers and I just found one on eBay that I bought.
It appears to fit fine, but I don't see any way to attach it.
Does anyone know how the bridge covers are supposed to attach? It appears to be an empty plate with some small dimples on each side.
I'm wondering if maybe it's missing a part or a clip of some sort.
Any input would be helpful.

Bruce Bindeman · Post by **Bruce Bindeman** » 30 Dec 2007 8:36 pm

Ali,

On my '60's Deluxe model, the cover has holes, not just dimples. The bridge has sharp points on each end that fit into the holes.

The bridge cover is sized to just fit over the points, making a hinge.

Regards,

Bruce

Ali Lexa · Post by **Ali Lexa** » 30 Dec 2007 9:24 pm

Hi Bruce,
Yes, my bridge also has sharp points at each end. I'm starting to think the bridge cover I bought was for a different model, or from a later year.
Thanks for the input.

Gary Boyett · Post by **Gary Boyett** » 31 Dec 2007 5:14 am

You may have to bend the sides just a bit in or out.
This is important if you get vibrations while playing.

I have only seen the one style mentioned above but there are probably different styles.

Good luck. Post some pictures if you get a chance.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 31 Dec 2007 8:39 am

As far as I know, there were only two types of bridge covers for Stringmasters.

The early ones, without the blend control, used bridge covers that screwed down to the body of the guitar.

The later models, with the blend control, pivoted on a pointed bridge.
They had a hole on each end to fit over the pointed end of the bridge rod.

Ali Lexa · Post by **Ali Lexa** » 1 Jan 2008 9:10 pm

Thanks for all the input on this.
I'm pretty sure now that the part I was sold wasn't for a stringmaster at all.
Here's a picture of the guitar and some pics of the bridge cover I bought:

Gary Boyett · Post by **Gary Boyett** » 2 Jan 2008 4:42 am

It looks after-market to me. Does the little indentions on the sides go out or in?

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 2 Jan 2008 6:54 am

That's NOT a Fender cover.

Ali Lexa · Post by **Ali Lexa** » 2 Jan 2008 4:43 pm

Yeah, I figured it wasn't the right part. The search continues...
The indentations point IN. The opposite direction to work with the bridge on a stringmaster.

On eBay it was auction# 310008513705
Described as "an original 1950's to 1960's Fender eight string steel bridge cover."

Thanks again for all the input.

Gary Boyett · Post by **Gary Boyett** » 2 Jan 2008 5:29 pm

I thought the picture showed them pointing in.
What were they even thinking?

Keep looking, one (or two) will show up.

We need a good metal guy on the forum to make these parts.

anyone???

Bob Hickish · Post by **Bob Hickish** » 2 Jan 2008 8:37 pm

I know just the guy ! I'll ask .

Post by **Joey Ace** » 2 Jan 2008 8:51 pm

You can see good close-up pix of the covers of my '59 Stringmaster at
http://www.joeyace.com/sm_pups.htm

Bob Hickish · Post by **Bob Hickish** » 3 Jan 2008 5:54 pm

OK ! I ask !!! a set of dies are posable but
very expensive to have made , it was suggested
that it be done by someone with a CNC setup .

There is a Forum member that has this , any
one here remember who it is ? . maybe he
would be interested in this project .

Hick

Ron Victoria · Post by **Ron Victoria** » 3 Jan 2008 6:41 pm

This was discussed in a previous post about the covers. I recall someone saying they knew the man who's father was a machinist at Fender and would ask if the original molds might be around somewhere.

ron

Paul Osbty · Post by **Paul Osbty** » 6 Jan 2008 12:37 pm

Ali Lexa wrote:... I'm pretty sure now that the part I was sold wasn't for a stringmaster at all.
Here's a picture of the guitar and some pics of the bridge cover I bought:

Why did you buy that part based on the provided pictures?. It's extremely obvious it's a ripoff. I'd get my money back if I were you. Then again, the seller didn't try to hide anything.

Ali Lexa · Post by **Ali Lexa** » 23 Jan 2008 7:01 pm

Well, I tried to get this bridge cover that Ron told me about on Ebay. But it ended up going for $160!
Yikes...

Item# 250206051453

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... Y.m238.lVI

If somebody ever did get it together to make new bridge covers, they could probably make a fair profit(?)

Paul Osbty · Post by **Paul Osbty** » 24 Jan 2008 6:31 pm

A Stratocaster bridge cover (yes, they originally came with a bridge cover) can easily fit over a 6-string "Stringmaster" bridge (with the blend control). Some simple fashioning of the retaining dimples is all that's needed (hint: 2 washers).

http://www.music123.com/Fender-Replacem ... 1.Music123

Any half-decent machinist should be able to cut this in half, insert extra metal, and make it wide enough for a 8-string Stringmaster bridge. A quick re-chrome and it's near indistinguishable to all but the Fender obsessed.

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 28 Jan 2008 4:05 pm

Ali..do you really want one of these?? I think I can help. Exactly as ebay shows..Send me a private email.

Never mind I have one..I take them off of my quad you can have one of mine cheaper than ebay I'll charge you nothing..just buy my book when it's released..is that fair or what but there is one catch.....root for the Dodgers..

)or buy my HCOA cd from bOb and we got a deal..Hey Ron Victoria or Joey Ace can you help me out here??? Okay bOb has none in stock I'll send you one..private mail me your snail mail address.
No Strings attached.This is what a Fender salesman is all about.

Post by **Joey Ace** » 28 Jan 2008 7:49 pm

Ali,

Jody assures me he's serious about the above offer.
His generosity is awesome. You need to contact him asap.

Joey

Ali Lexa · Post by **Ali Lexa** » 28 Jan 2008 8:15 pm

Jody You Rock!!
I'll email you.
I had already tried to buy the HCOA CD from b0b, he still has it listed as "out of stock". I heard the examples on your site, and hope to buy a copy of the CD when they're available. Just let me know how.
And if your talking about the "Last Fender Guitar" book I've been hearing about, I'm already looking forward to getting a copy! Any chance of getting a signed copy?!

BTW - I AM a Dodgers Fan already! Go Big Blue!