FENDER STRINGMASTERS Identification/Question/Value ?

Larry Campbell · Post by **Larry Campbell** » 21 Nov 2010 12:19 pm

Hello,
I'm new to the forum but the old Fender Stringmasters have sparked my interest. I understand Cindy Cashdollar plays one and she is one of my favorite artist. Question? What's the difference in a Dual Professional D-8 and a regular Stringmaster. The T-8's are of course triple necks,but from viewing pictures it seems they have different pickup covers,pickups,bridges,etc. Also I would like a value estimate of these blonde 50's Stringmasters. Pictures for examples posted.Enclosed link to one for sale,with different pickup covers,etc,
Thanks

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWAX:IT

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 21 Nov 2010 1:03 pm

The early Fenders, Dual Pro, Custom, Deluxe 8 (late 1940s though about 1955) have trapezoid string-through pickups and lollipop tuners.

Stringmasters were introduced in 1953 and they have string-over pickups (2 on each neck) and Kluson style tuners. They look quite a bit different than the earlier Fenders. The earliest Stringmasters (like the 1st picture above) had chrome PU covers and the earlier style lollipop tuners, and the legs were not as splayed as later Stringmasters. The early ones were transitional models.

As far as the values... they are down quite a bit in the past two years. Three years ago a nice Stringmaster sold for $1800. Now they sell for about $1200... regardless of what the price guide says. It's a good time to buy.

Here's my '56. To hear how it sounds, click on the link below for "25 Songs C6 Lap Steel", scroll to the bottom of that page and click on the audio samples.

Larry Campbell · Post by **Larry Campbell** » 21 Nov 2010 1:43 pm

DOUG,Nice guitar you have there! Would it make any difference to you "if you were purchasing" to get the early model or the later model with the Kluson style tuners? I'm not real fond of the earlier models,since I like the splayed legs. I saw one with three legs. Whats the deal ? I like the four legged model's I believe. I think I already know the answer I'm looking for ! I sure like your model and I will post on the forum "Want to Buy" when I get serious. If you have any leads let me know. Just doing a little research now. Cindy Cashdollars one in her picture is a 1954 I believe,and same as yours I think.
Thanks

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 21 Nov 2010 1:50 pm

All Stringmasters have 4 legs. The earlier triple neck (Custom) had 3 legs.
The later single neck Deluxe 8 (with Stringmaster features) has 3 legs. It's all very confusing, and it's getting worse as time goes on. A lot of sellers/owners nowadays call the single-8 Deluxe a single neck "Stringmaster"... no such thing.

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 21 Nov 2010 9:34 pm

I depends on your useage and capabilities regarding slants, but the 26" Stringmaster is a Sustain MONSTER. As used by a lot of the Hawaii Calls Players.

This is one..in my hands:-

Click HERE for Part 1.

Click HERE for Part 2.

Click HERE for Part 3.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 22 Nov 2010 9:57 am

The early Stringmasters were a little different.
They had different tuners and the pickups were different. They didn't have the "blend" control under the bridge cover. They looked like this.