Fender stringmaster style S8 - who uses one ?

Larry Lenhart · Post by **Larry Lenhart** » 19 Mar 2016 6:56 am

I have a Fender stringmaster T8 steel from 1957 and really enjoy the sound and tone from that steel. sometimes I think I would like to have just a single neck version of this steel and I was curious how many of you owned one and what you thought of it. I guess these go by various names over the years Fender produced them, but I am interested in the ones with the double pickups. I had a single neck with the trapezoid style pickup but prefer the sound from the stringmaster it seems. From doing some internet searches they dont seem to come up for sale that often.
Here is my T8:

Stephen Cowell · Post by **Stephen Cowell** » 19 Mar 2016 8:36 am

You have a 24" T8, so you'll have a different scale if you get a Deluxe (that's what they're called)... they only made them in 22.5". The tone takes a hit from not having the big mass of the T8, you'll notice... the tone also takes a hit from the lack of the big honkin' screws behind the bridge... the Deluxe uses medium screws around the back edge of the plate, but it is missing the four long anchor screws that other Stringmasters (and Junior's Guit-Steel) have. It's possible to 'hot-rod' them by doing a string-through mod... I'm considering that for mine, it should improve sustain.

Prices are down for Stringmasters of all persuasions right now... so it's actually a good time to buy. Don't pay more than 1000$ unless it's in really good (mint) condition... for $1K it should include a good original case and the three legs. Blonde is more sought-after than walnut... bargain down for obvious mods or re-finished. Take off at least $50 for missing bridge cover, $200 for missing case or legs ($400 for both).

Larry Lenhart · Post by **Larry Lenhart** » 19 Mar 2016 9:25 am

Thanks Stephen, that was exactly the kind of experience
and knowledge I was wanting to hear. That all makes sense, especially about the mass of the guitar. Also, thanks for all your hard work at the TSGA and for posting those videos ! I spent a lot of my time in that room this year.

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 19 Mar 2016 9:29 am

I used to have a Deluxe, but since my D-8 Stringmaster is 24.5" (medium scale), I didn't like switching back and forth. (The Deluxe only came in the 22.5" scale). I sold it. Now, if there was a medium scale Deluxe, I'd enjoy owning and giging with one. But for now, I'll stick with my D-8. : )

Joe Snow · Post by **Joe Snow** » 19 Mar 2016 10:19 am

I have a friend that has a single neck from a 24.5 scale stringmaster that he bought that way. Those may not come up often, but there are a few out there.

Former Member · Post by **Former Member** » 19 Mar 2016 10:36 am

I know this isn't exactly what you're discussing, but did catch this thread:
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=298650

This looks real nice!

Jeff Au Hoy · Post by **Jeff Au Hoy** » 19 Mar 2016 11:30 am

I've had a couple of Deluxe 8s and while they delivered the Stringmaster tone, they both "died" after the twelfth fret, especially on the highest string. It seems to be a common problem and probably has a lot to do with what Stephen described. I hated that the notes in the high register were so choked off. I've not experienced this sustain issue with the longer scale Stringmaster instruments.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 19 Mar 2016 12:43 pm

My personal experience with the two Fender Deluxe 8s that I've owned is similar to Jeff's. Never kept them for very long and was much happier with a 24" scale Stringmaster.

I have to say, I never had the same issue with the Fender Dual Pros, even though they are the same short scale length. Again, a completely different bridge.

Jim Rossen · Post by **Jim Rossen** » 19 Mar 2016 7:41 pm

A lot of the Wheel Youtube videos show Eddie Rivers using a Deluxe 8 (single neck 22.5 in scale Stringmaster). He uses A6 tuning, and his high fret high string playing sounds strong. Is this A6 vs C6, or ?
Jim

Jeff Au Hoy · Post by **Jeff Au Hoy** » 19 Mar 2016 11:39 pm

Jim, A6 and C6, both with an E on top.

Gabby Pahinui also played a Deluxe 8 but didn't seem to encounter the same problem with the high notes. Maybe he got an especially good one. Imagine the days when you could sit in the store and pick out the best one!

Scott Thomas · Post by **Scott Thomas** » 20 Mar 2016 9:07 am

Yes, when I see a deluxe 8 I think of Gabby, especially that Maile Serenaders vol. 2. I associate it with...which isn't exactly quintessentially Stringmaster tone. If that isn't the deluxe 8, then I'm really in for a mental recalibration.

Jim Rossen · Post by **Jim Rossen** » 20 Mar 2016 9:48 am

Jeff, I was thinking about A6 and C6 tuning variations that both have the 5th on top.
Jim

Norman Evans · Post by **Norman Evans** » 20 Mar 2016 9:59 am

Here's one I think sounds good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZ9_ktuGWL8

Stephen Cowell · Post by **Stephen Cowell** » 20 Mar 2016 4:43 pm

Norman Evans wrote:Here's one I think sounds good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZ9_ktuGWL8

I think Garland could have made a broomstick sing... but I do notice not any work above the 12th fret. That's where these guitars die.

Any Deluxe or Stringmaster can benefit from tightening the bridge-plate screws... on the SM, that would be the big four anchor screws under the cover, and for the Deluxe, those are the screws around the back side of the plate. Beware the dreaded 1955 defective screws... if you have one of these guitars (early push-button SM's) do yourself a favor and *replace* the four anchor screws before tightening them... I did not know about this and broke several screws off in my '55 D8, it awaits surgery. If your SM has a knife switch you should be good to go... Deluxes didn't have this problem either.

For the best tone a 'hot-rod' job is in order... anything you can do to make the bridge more solid will add to your upper-register tone. It's not too hard to convert a Deluxe to string-through-body stringing... if you added four anchor screws a la SM you've done all you reasonably can... but that's probably more of a hack than most folks would put up with.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 21 Mar 2016 8:07 am

The only single neck "Stringmaster" is one you build yourself from a multi-neck.
I bought some Stringmaster parts off of e-bay and they threw in a neck. I set everything together and routed out the bottom for a third leg and this is what I came up with. It wasn't quite finished when this picture was taken.