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Topic: Stringmasters, where are serial numbers found? |
steve takacs
From:
beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)
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Posted 7 Apr 2015 10:57 am |
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I have asked this question in the STEEL WITHOUT PEDALS and have gotten one response from Jeff Mead. Are there other answers to my question? I am aware the Stringmaster is NOT a pedal steel guitar. Just thought I'd get more responses here.
"I have looked at two threads dealing with dating Stringmasters using serial numbers and was told it was not possible to date the guitars using their serial numbers but where does one find the serial numbers themselves?
I have been told "below the decal". I've already looked at this thread and another that Brad Bechtel mentions at the bottom of this thread:
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=229982&highlight=stringmaster+serial+number
I am aware that the month and year are often penciled in to the wooden cavity covered by the pans.
Thanks, stevet"
Jeff Mead
From:
London, England
Posted 6 Apr 2015 4:32 am
Just flip up the chrome cover on the neck nearest to you and it's just by the blender wheel. |
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Nick Reed
From:
Russellville, KY USA
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Posted 7 Apr 2015 9:16 pm
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| you'll find the serial number under one of the Ashtray Key Heads. It's usually the front one if it's a D-8 |
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steve takacs
From:
beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)
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Posted 7 Apr 2015 9:19 pm Thanks, Nick
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| Thanks for the info, Nick, Yes, it i an 8 string. Much appreciated. stevet |
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Jeff Mead
From:
London, England
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Posted 7 Apr 2015 11:31 pm
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| Nick Reed wrote: |
| you'll find the serial number under one of the Ashtray Key Heads. It's usually the front one if it's a D-8 |
Nick, you might find a pencil date there but that's not where the serial number is. |
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steve takacs
From:
beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)
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Posted 8 Apr 2015 7:12 am
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Jeff, I believe this is where you mentioned to me where the serial number should be in the STEELS WITHOUT PEDALS thread.
The first Stringmaster that has the serial number is not mine but the second steel is mine and does not have the serial number under that wheel. It's weird.
By the way, I saw your red re-done Stringmaster. Great job you did on that. steve t
The number is also not on mine on the outside by the knobs here:
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Jeff Mead
From:
London, England
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Posted 8 Apr 2015 8:54 am
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| steve takacs wrote: |
The first Stringmaster that has the serial number is not mine but the second steel is mine and does not have the serial number under that wheel. It's weird.
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How sure are you that the guitar is 100% original.
My best guess is that the original plate containing the serial number has been replaced - possibly by a blank (like the 3rd neck of a triple or the 3rd or 4th of a quad) with holes drilled in to mount the knobs.
I've never seen a serial number anywhere else - the style you have (post 1954) would definitely not have them between the knobs.
Or maybe they had a bad day at the Fender factory and forgot to stamp the plate? |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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John De Maille
From:
On a Mountain in Upstate Halcottsville, N.Y.
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Posted 8 Apr 2015 11:53 am
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| steve takacs wrote: |
Jeff, I believe this is where you mentioned to me where the serial number should be in the STEELS WITHOUT PEDALS thread.
The first Stringmaster that has the serial number is not mine but the second steel is mine and does not have the serial number under that wheel. It's weird.
By the way, I saw your red re-done Stringmaster. Great job you did on that. steve t
The number is also not on mine on the outside by the knobs here:
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Isn't the number on the second picture 27411 ?
Or am I seeing a reflection from somewhere? |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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steve takacs
From:
beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)
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Posted 8 Apr 2015 8:54 pm
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John and Doug, man you guys have good eyes. I can barely make out something in the back of that second photo under the wheel. If I were able to look at the guitar I'm sure I'd see it but it's in the USA and I'm here in China.
Thanks a lot for your help, Jeff, John, Nick and Doug. steve t |
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Jeff Mead
From:
London, England
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Posted 8 Apr 2015 11:19 pm
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| steve takacs wrote: |
If I were able to look at the guitar I'm sure I'd see it but it's in the USA and I'm here in China.
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This is the vital bit of information you missed out so far! I assumed you had the guitar in you posession. I too spotted something that looked like a serial number but didn't mention it thinking you couldn't possibly miss it if you had it right in front of you.
By the way, judging by the selecter switch the guitar is from 57/58 onwards, which is when they started putting that type in instead of push buttons. |
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Eric Philippsen
From:
Central Florida USA
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Posted 9 Apr 2015 5:12 am
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Wow, good eyes to see that SN in the picture. Sure enough, there it is.
Love these Stringmaster posts and all the info in them. I get a kick out of reading them.
I've picked up 3 doubleneck SMs over the years. Two of them still sit in their cases like I found 'em - dirty, neglected, but all original and unmodified. Someday I'll get around to cleaning and bringing them back to life.
So many projects and so little time. |
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steve takacs
From:
beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)
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Posted 9 Apr 2015 5:53 am
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Sorry about that, Jeff. I assumed I'd be able to see the serial number with the location information given. Thanks for mentioning the selector switch dating it post 57/58.
From what I've read, the serial number isn't all that helpful in dating the steel but that penciled in date but a prospective buyer wanted the serial number. stevet |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Jeff Mead
From:
London, England
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Posted 9 Apr 2015 7:06 am
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| if you're selling it, the age seems to make very little difference to the price/value of old Fender steels. |
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