Stringmaster Evolution

Larry Robbins · Post by **Larry Robbins** » 31 Dec 2010 10:36 am

Can someone tell me when Stringmasters
switched from Chrome pickups and a " button" type selector switch to the the black pickups and toggle type selector switch? Thanks. mine is:

John Groover McDuffie · Post by **John Groover McDuffie** » 31 Dec 2010 10:48 am

I'd call the switches on the guitar pictured slide switches, especially since IIRC there were some Fender steels with some kind of push-button switches.

Larry Robbins · Post by **Larry Robbins** » 31 Dec 2010 11:56 am

Correct,John. I should probably have called them sliders Thanks for your input.

Happy New Year to you !

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 31 Dec 2010 2:37 pm

The ones with chrome PU covers, slide switches, and legs not as splayed as later ones... were the earliest Stringmasters circa 1953-54. I'm guessing Fender changed that design about 1955. My '56 has the later design.

Thomas Colvin · Post by **Thomas Colvin** » 5 Jan 2011 4:02 am

What are these little push-buttons for, anyway? Mine don't do anything. Any idea what the original effect was?

John Tipka · Post by **John Tipka** » 5 Jan 2011 5:09 am

Possibly my website can help!

http://www.juststeelguitar.com/stringmaster.html

J Fletcher · Post by **J Fletcher** » 5 Jan 2011 5:12 am

Do the earliest Stringmasters have a blend control? I don't see one in the pic.

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 5 Jan 2011 5:29 am

I don't think so. Guitars with metal PU covers did not have the blend pot.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 5 Jan 2011 9:28 am

No blend pots.

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 6 Jan 2011 10:31 am

Maybe none of the refinements of the later model, BUT, sustain to die for..

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 6 Jan 2011 10:37 am

Especially the long scale 26" models.

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 6 Jan 2011 10:41 am

Yep, mine is Novenber 1953 and 26", BUT I always thought that all the first series were 26" scale..
That triple is a beauty Erv, AND it still has the handrests, something mine and apparently Larry's is missing.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 6 Jan 2011 10:53 am

Basilh,
I bought that guitar new in 1954. Some years later I sold it when I ordered a fingertip Sho~Bud from Shot Jackson.
The fellow I sold it to played it for several years and when he passed away, I had the opportunity to buy it back.
By then it had seen its better days so I completely dis-assembled it, refinished it and put it back together again.
Kevin Hatton built me a new case in Fender tweed. And I guess my grandkids will have to figure out what to do with it after the good Lord calls me home because there is no way I will part with it again.

Jeff Spencer · Post by **Jeff Spencer** » 6 Jan 2011 1:02 pm

Hi Erv, can I get your kids address and number!! and I'll check the "gone home" section on the forum often!!

No just messin with ya

Hope the good Lord has no need for you yet Erv, you have too much to offer here.
That is one fine guitar, Do you play it much and what tunings did/do you use on a tripple neck??

Thanks
Jeff

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 6 Jan 2011 2:19 pm

Jeff,
Keep checking the obits, I have an idea when I'm toes up my wife will have a BIG garage sale!

I have an A6th tuning on one neck, a C#m7th tuning on one and a C6th tuning on the third neck.

I'll have to put another picture up. This is of a quad Stringmaster I picked up off of e-bay and, believe me, it was a mess when I got it. It had been painted blue, not once, but twice!
It looks pretty sharp now.:

Michael Lee Allen · Post by **Michael Lee Allen** » 6 Jan 2011 5:54 pm

DELETED

Jeff Spencer · Post by **Jeff Spencer** » 6 Jan 2011 10:27 pm

Thanks Erv,Michael. Absolutly beautiful but no more pics please, it's taking too long to get the drool out from the between the keys of the computer, my wife thinks I'm looking at porn with my expressions

Thanks for the great pics gentlemen.

Jeff

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 6 Jan 2011 11:08 pm

Actually. You *are* looking at porn. Steel porn. : )

Nate Hofer · Post by **Nate Hofer** » 7 Jan 2011 5:15 am

When did the tuners style change? I assume the "coin tuners" are earlier?

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 7 Jan 2011 6:45 am

The ORIGINAL tuners were termed "lollypop" tuners by the "fender Brigade"..
The Kluson ones were introduced when the Stringmaster changed from Chrome pickup covers to the plastic ones and the blend control under the bridge cover. 1955

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Stringmaster Evolution

Stringmaster Evolution

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