New late Stringmaster Tuning Pans and Tuners

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Russ Cudney
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New late Stringmaster Tuning Pans and Tuners

Post by Russ Cudney »

I've been busy helping WD Music with R&D for these products. They're shooting to have them released in June/July. They will be offered in chrome or nickel plating for the tuners and pans. Whatever combination you like. Their website:
http://www.wdmusic.com/

(I have no financial affiliation with this company)
1958 D8 Stringmaster, 1958 T8 Stringmaster, 1955 Q8 Stringmaster (in basket), 1949 Gibson BR9, 1953 Silvertone, 1957 Harmony H4 (yeah the cool black pearloid one), 1947 National Princess, 1969 Shobud S10 3X1
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Miles Lang
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Post by Miles Lang »

Looking forward to these. Will WD have other Stringmaster parts too?
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Jeff Mead
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Post by Jeff Mead »

Wow! That's amazing news. Looking forward to hearing more about these 😊
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Russ Cudney
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Post by Russ Cudney »

Just got an email from WD. They're sending me some of the tuners to check out. Pans just went into production... I'll keep you posted.
1958 D8 Stringmaster, 1958 T8 Stringmaster, 1955 Q8 Stringmaster (in basket), 1949 Gibson BR9, 1953 Silvertone, 1957 Harmony H4 (yeah the cool black pearloid one), 1947 National Princess, 1969 Shobud S10 3X1
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Nate Hofer
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Post by Nate Hofer »

Cool! Is there a product detail page available yet? I searched the site and did'nt see anything
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Robert Allen
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Post by Robert Allen »

WD products are also available from many wholesale distributors and retailers, although I don't foresee an average music store stocking these. Steel guitar stores might, though.
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George Piburn
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WD Products

Post by George Piburn »

GeorgeBoards is a WD Dealer and will have these at a below list price once they come available.

We have moved toward selling DIY Parts in my Retirement from Wood Working and have a parts page specializing in FretBoards and such for lap steel builders and professional builders OEM Supplies.

Glad to help folks with things like tuners brass parts and more.
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Russ Cudney
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Post by Russ Cudney »

Image
Image

Image
Came in the mail today. I don't know when WD will release, but they fit my old pans fine...
1958 D8 Stringmaster, 1958 T8 Stringmaster, 1955 Q8 Stringmaster (in basket), 1949 Gibson BR9, 1953 Silvertone, 1957 Harmony H4 (yeah the cool black pearloid one), 1947 National Princess, 1969 Shobud S10 3X1
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Post by Scott Thomas »

I can't believe someone is finally doing this and that it's becoming a reality.
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Jeff Mead
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Post by Jeff Mead »

Cool!

Any news on the reissue pans?

I guess they won't have the Fender logo on them?
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Russ Cudney
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Post by Russ Cudney »

Jeff Mead wrote:Cool!

Any news on the reissue pans?

I guess they won't have the Fender logo on them?
The pans are still in production. Should have samples within a month. No they will not have the Fender logo on them.
1958 D8 Stringmaster, 1958 T8 Stringmaster, 1955 Q8 Stringmaster (in basket), 1949 Gibson BR9, 1953 Silvertone, 1957 Harmony H4 (yeah the cool black pearloid one), 1947 National Princess, 1969 Shobud S10 3X1
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John Lang
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Post by John Lang »

Russ, is there any chance that they might look into making pans and tuners for the older Stringmasters? I'm talking the early models that came out around 1953 with the lollipop tuners?

I had a heck of a time getting one of those repaired a few years back and my heart stops every time I change strings on my 53 T8.

These are the square shaped pans, not the tapered ones I think you are talking about.
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Miles Lang
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Post by Miles Lang »

Is there an update or link to the WD Stringmaster parts?
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Jeff Mead
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Post by Jeff Mead »

It's been a while since those prototype tuners came out. Any word on production dates yet?

I know someone very keen to get their hands on some pans too.
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Russ Cudney
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Pans Finally In!

Post by Russ Cudney »

I just got some more samples from WD music. I think they did a bang-up job on the pans. Unfortunately they copied a lever hole that was added to the pan sample I gave them. It will be removed for production.
Here's a foto with new and old:
Image
Here is a foto with one of the necks from my 55 quad:
Image
I still have one small issue that we're working out. The tabs that hold the tuner gear covers are too thick and prevent the assembly from going in. I didn't notice before because they fit fine in my 58 T8, but after receiving they didn't fit in my 56 T8. Here's a comparison foto:
Image
The tuners have already been released and are up on ebay with some of WD's dealers. We're going to fix this issue, but if you already have some, you can either shave a little bit of the wood, or file the tab...
1958 D8 Stringmaster, 1958 T8 Stringmaster, 1955 Q8 Stringmaster (in basket), 1949 Gibson BR9, 1953 Silvertone, 1957 Harmony H4 (yeah the cool black pearloid one), 1947 National Princess, 1969 Shobud S10 3X1
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Russ Cudney
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Post by Russ Cudney »

John Lang wrote:Russ, is there any chance that they might look into making pans and tuners for the older Stringmasters? I'm talking the early models that came out around 1953 with the lollipop tuners?

I had a heck of a time getting one of those repaired a few years back and my heart stops every time I change strings on my 53 T8.

These are the square shaped pans, not the tapered ones I think you are talking about.
Hi John,
Sorry I didn't see your post earlier. No I don't think they're going be able to do those. Too many quirks in those old Lolly-Pop style. I think there is a thread somewhere that shows these newer style working in an older body. It's a one-way route modification. I may do that to my '53.
1958 D8 Stringmaster, 1958 T8 Stringmaster, 1955 Q8 Stringmaster (in basket), 1949 Gibson BR9, 1953 Silvertone, 1957 Harmony H4 (yeah the cool black pearloid one), 1947 National Princess, 1969 Shobud S10 3X1
Tor Arve Baroy
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Post by Tor Arve Baroy »

Are the pans ready for delivery now? 🙂
Are they also making 6-string versions?
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