Finally getting a D8 Stringmaster!

[Hugh Holstein]

I played guitar since I was a kid, had a strong urge to get a steel, bought a Fender Deluxe Six about six years ago and it has really grown on me.

Just bought a 24.5" D8 Stringmaster and I am going to pick it up Monday. (super anxious)

Glad to be part of such a great group of players!

Here's a link to the auction for the D8, it seems to have been made from two steels, I have never seen one two tone before. I was hoping I could go get it this weekend, but it turns out it's a pawn shop that's selling it and they aren't open weekends.


Link to auction on eBay.

[Bill Creller]

Two tone is interesting! Not original like the seller claims, but it's still a long scale, which I think has nicer tone than a 22.5". Have fun with it!

[Hugh Holstein]

Yeah, I'm interested to see if it has been spray painted or not. either way, will it reduce it's value to refinish a guitar that's in this state???

[Bill Creller]

Just an opinion, but being the way it is now, it might not lose any more value if it was refinished, providing it was a really well-done job.

[Hugh Holstein]

Thats what I was thinking, I just cant decide whether to finish it like it is or go for a more original blond. It really kind of immediately struck me color wise though when I first saw it, I then noticed it was a 24.5"er and that did it for me.

Im sure Ill get her going flawlessly in no time.
(I'm a Tool Maker/Master Craftsman, what have you)

I certain that in my future I will build either a T8 or D8, But I'm a hopelessly addicted Fender fan since childhood (Im 45), and I consider these instruments to be virtually the Stratocaster (my first guitar) of Steel Guitars, I'm sure that may have been said many times before, but it was obvious to me when I first got my Deluxe Six.

I'm really looking forward to that extra neck and two strings and inches!

[Tom Wolverton]

Welcome to the Stringmaster club. It looks like a good one, even if it was made up from several guitars. Note: it is a medium scale guitar, not a long scale guitar. 24.5" scale. My favorite length. I love the 24.5" D-8 SM's. I'd just play it and not get into refinishing it. It's kinda cool like that. Like an Oreo cookie. : )

[Hugh Holstein]

I'd just play it and not get into refinishing it. It's kinda cool like that. Like an Oreo cookie. : )

Yeah, Im with you on that, I'm sure with some cleaning and polishing it will be just fine.
But if it turns out that black side is rattle can, Im going to have a hard time resisting the urge to take it off.

[Tom Wolverton]

From those ebay photos, it sure looks like the original Fender dark finish (which is more like a super dark brown than an actual black). I'm guessing both necks have the original finish on them.

[Jamie O'Connell]

I don't think it's necessarily built from two guitars. It looks to me like the black neck was painted. The blond under the pickguards looks original. You'd be able to tell for sure if you remove the pickguard and/or tuning pan from the black neck. I like the way it looks now -- kind of unique and artsy.

--Jamie

[Hugh Holstein]

Nope, it's all spray paint, feels like a fence post, just bare wood spray painted, no sealer, nothing.

Was able to see under one of the fingerboards and it was Blonde originally.

Does anyone know where I can get a new fingerboard??

Looks as if ReRanch is going to get an order from me soon.

[Tom Wolverton]

I got new fingerboards from James Palenscar. (Steel Guitars of North County)

http://www.steelguitars.me/

[Hugh Holstein]

I just got one of the boards off, and the blond underneath is gorgeous!

That does it for me, blond it is!

Picture does no justice to its beauty.

The wood seems darker than i would have expected underneath the finish.
Also the wood is very resonant when I hit it with the side of my thumb, this things going to have some serious tone!