Fender Stringmaster Triple Neck Steel Guitar 1950's

Steve Green · Post by **Steve Green** » 20 Oct 2016 9:57 am

Also, no offense to the guys at Gruhn, but I found this info by Basil Henriques in a thread about establishing a Stringmaster timeline.

Since your guitar has butterbean tuners, plastic pickup covers, a blade-style neck selector, removable bridge covers, blend pot - - - it should be no earlier than 1956. Not to mention the brown tolex case, as opposed to tweed.

basilh wrote:
Mk.1 ~1953-1955 Lollypop tuner buttons, Chrome Pickup covers slide neck selector switches fixed bridge cover and no blend pot.
Known serial Numbers =
(4 neck (ser # 0058) July 1953..26")
(2 neck (ser # 0147) Oct 1953..26")
(2 neck (ser # 0189) Oct 1953..26")
(2 neck (ser # 0282) ? ? ..24.5)
(3 neck (Ser # 0460) ? 1954..26")
(2 neck (ser # 0526) Oct 1953..26") Nov on one neck
(3 neck (Ser # 0612) June 1954..26")
(2 neck (ser # 0708) Oct 1954..26")
(3 neck (Ser # 0930) Mar 1955..26")

Mk.2 ~1955- ? Butterbean tuners, redesigned tuner pan, plastic pickup covers, pushbutton neck selector switches. Removable bridge cover and pickup blendpot.
Known serial Numbers =
(2 neck (ser # NONE) May 1955..24.5")
(3 neck (ser # 0619) Dec 1955..24.5")

Mk.3 November~1956- ?? Butterbean tuners, plastic pickup covers, switchcraft blade neck selector switch. Removable bridge cover and pickup blendpot.

Mk.4 ~1968- ?? Octagonal Schaller tuner Heads, plastic pickup covers, switchcraft blade neck selector switch.Removable bridge cover and pickup blendpot.

Fender used Telecaster knobs on the Stringmaster so the various different Telecaster years will correspond to the Stringmaster years (Approx)

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 20 Oct 2016 10:18 am

The latest pencil date I've ever seen in a Stringmaster is 1960. The Case for this one is early 1960s. The two digit serial number is a mystery. My first thought was that someone changed that control plate at some point... put an earlier one on. My second thought was that someone may have messed with the serial number, but that's not likely because Duane said his dad bought the guitar new. As others have said, the exact year has no effect on the value. It's the condition that matters.

Jeff Mead · Post by **Jeff Mead** » 20 Oct 2016 10:29 am

Have you looked really closely at the serial number. Is it possible that the 01 is the 2nd and 3rd digits and the outside ones were stamped very feintly or something?

Steve Green · Post by **Steve Green** » 20 Oct 2016 10:38 am

Jeff Mead wrote:Have you looked really closely at the serial number. Is it possible that the 01 is the 2nd and 3rd digits and the outside ones were stamped very feintly or something?

Zooming in on Duane's picture, it certainly does not appear to be an improper stamp, or altered in any way.

J Fletcher · Post by **J Fletcher** » 20 Oct 2016 12:37 pm

Hmmm , looks like there might be a number partiality hidden by the string.

Duane Belotti · Post by **Duane Belotti** » 20 Oct 2016 1:17 pm

Hey All, It's definitely an All Original Stringmaster. When I was taking the pans off I remembered the word DELUXE on the thing pegs. I was like.. Cool! So I found out that Kluson made that type from '56-'64, which makes sense. Need to check that again tonight.

Here's a link of a zoomed version of the Serial Number #01.
http://www.arenarox.com/Fender/fender_t ... alZoom.JPG
It may have to remain a mystery for now, as I just checked with a flash light... and no other numbers are on either sides of the strings. The case has always been with the guitar.

It's an amazing instrument in excellent vintage condition, and I know that there is interest in the community.

I have seen other Stringmasters in less than good condition going for $1,850. So I'm thinking it has to be worth somewhere between $2,000 and $2,500.

Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks, DB

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 20 Oct 2016 1:29 pm

I think maybe the 01 was a production error. Whoever was stamping the serial numbers on the plates that day must have had a rough night. That's all I can think of, considering that your dad bought the guitar new and he didn't make any changes. The original case dates the guitar to 1960-62. Leo Fender believed in using up all parts in stock. Nothing was wasted. I suspect that if a control plate had an error number he would want it used anyway. That's my guess.

Duane Belotti · Post by **Duane Belotti** » 20 Oct 2016 1:38 pm

Hey J: HOLY CROW!!! You were right!

Mystery Solved! I took the strings off to take the volume plate off, cleaned the dust that uncovered the 2 other numbers to the right and left.

The Serial Number #3016.
Here's the link.
http://www.arenarox.com/Fender/fender_t ... lZoom2.JPG

Jeff Mead · Post by **Jeff Mead** » 20 Oct 2016 2:24 pm

Duane Belotti wrote:Hey All, It's definitely an All Original Stringmaster. When I was taking the pans off I remembered the word DELUXE on the thing pegs. I was like.. Cool! So I found out that Kluson made that type from '56-'64, which makes sense. Need to check that again tonight.

Hmmm... So where does that put Gruhn's expert appraisal of 54/55?

Duane Belotti · Post by **Duane Belotti** » 20 Oct 2016 2:51 pm

Well said. Sometimes you have get your hands dirty to get to the truth.

I love how KLUSON machined the cut-out to align with with the "O" in the logo.
That's great workmanship... that's Cool!

http://www.arenarox.com/Fender/fender_t ... Tuners.jpg

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 20 Oct 2016 3:32 pm

That early Kluson tuner design is called "single line" in the vintage guitar world. Used in Gibson, Fender, and a lot of other guitars. By the way, the serial number won't tell you the year of the guitar or anything else. Each model of Fender steel has it's own series of numbers. So that number is only useful when compared to other Stringmasters to see which one was made first.
If you're interested in dating the guitar more closely you could open up the control section and get the pot codes. Each pot has a 6 or 7 digit code on it. That will tell you what year the pots were made. If you get the codes post them here. They should start with 304 or 317

Duane Belotti · Post by **Duane Belotti** » 21 Oct 2016 12:46 pm

Hey Doug: You da man! 304645

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 21 Oct 2016 12:49 pm

That pot was made in the 45th week of 1956. But the Case is from 1960-62. Sometimes guitar companies would buy huge quantities of pots that would last for a couple of years. For example, my 1968 Fender telecaster has pots dated 1966, original to the guitar. In this case I'd go with 1960-62. Fender evidently used 1956 pots from it's stash of pots. And that brown tolex case was not available before 1960. If I were selling the guitar I would list it as 1961, an estimate based on the case.

Duane Belotti · Post by **Duane Belotti** » 21 Oct 2016 1:07 pm

That's Great Doug. Makes sense. Thanks so much to you and everyone's expertise in this forum, in helping find out the Date and Serial Number. You guys know your stuff, and it was fun learning about my Dad's Stringmaster. Fender build these to last, just a great instrument.

I'm looking to sell it to someone that can give it a good home. It's got a nice deep rich tone to it, and looks beautiful for being almost 60 years old.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 21 Oct 2016 1:27 pm

Steve Green wrote:Also, no offense to the guys at Gruhn, but I found this info by Basil Henriques in a thread about establishing a Stringmaster timeline.

Since your guitar has butterbean tuners, plastic pickup covers, a blade-style neck selector, removable bridge covers, blend pot - - - it should be no earlier than 1956. Not to mention the brown tolex case, as opposed to tweed.

basilh wrote:
Mk.1 ~1953-1955 Lollypop tuner buttons, Chrome Pickup covers slide neck selector switches fixed bridge cover and no blend pot.
Known serial Numbers =
(4 neck (ser # 0058) July 1953..26")
(2 neck (ser # 0147) Oct 1953..26")
(2 neck (ser # 0189) Oct 1953..26")
(2 neck (ser # 0282) ? ? ..24.5)
(3 neck (Ser # 0460) ? 1954..26")
(2 neck (ser # 0526) Oct 1953..26") Nov on one neck
(3 neck (Ser # 0612) June 1954..26")
(2 neck (ser # 0708) Oct 1954..26")
(3 neck (Ser # 0930) Mar 1955..26")

Mk.2 ~1955- ? Butterbean tuners, redesigned tuner pan, plastic pickup covers, pushbutton neck selector switches. Removable bridge cover and pickup blendpot.
Known serial Numbers =
(2 neck (ser # NONE) May 1955..24.5")
(3 neck (ser # 0619) Dec 1955..24.5")

Mk.3 November~1956- ?? Butterbean tuners, plastic pickup covers, switchcraft blade neck selector switch. Removable bridge cover and pickup blendpot.

Mk.4 ~1968- ?? Octagonal Schaller tuner Heads, plastic pickup covers, switchcraft blade neck selector switch.Removable bridge cover and pickup blendpot.

Fender used Telecaster knobs on the Stringmaster so the various different Telecaster years will correspond to the Stringmaster years (Approx)

I agree with Basil's list. Blade neck switches started in late 1956. I prefer that type of switch, and I've had all three types.

Duane Belotti · Post by **Duane Belotti** » 22 Oct 2016 8:49 am

Hey Doug: I see you updated your post. I'm going to stay with your first estimate of 1957 you had before. A personal note: My Dad was just starting a family around '60 & '61, (2 kids and 2 jobs) and would have had no time for starting to learn how to play Steel. I don't know the story on the case. Could be a second one that was purchased, could be another manufacturer. More important is the Guitar, it's condition, and it's sound quality. In reading some of the other posts, this year and type of Stringmaster is known as the Mother of Hawaiian Steel Guitars. A well deserved title. Thanks, DB

Jeff Mead · Post by **Jeff Mead** » 22 Oct 2016 10:24 am

To a collector a 57 with non original case would be worth less than a 60 with ots original one.

Duane Belotti · Post by **Duane Belotti** » 22 Oct 2016 10:47 am

I appreciate your thoughts and insight. I have enough information to feel good about the history of this Stringmaster.

Looking to move forward with selling it to someone that can appreciate this fine instrument, and make music with it once again.

If someone is interested in purchasing it, please PM me. Thank you. DB

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 22 Oct 2016 11:09 am

A little more info on the case... brown tolex covering with "burnt orange" lining (which is what you have) was introduced in 1960. In mid-1962 they changed to reddish/orange lining. In late 1962 black tolex cases were introduced.

If that case is original to the guitar, it has to be 1960 to mid-62. Fender bought thousand of pots at a time and used them over two or three years in their guitars and steels. If you are unsure, do not list the year when you sell it. Just list it as a Fender T-8 Stringmaster. The exact year is not all that important. All years are worth about the same. IMO you'll raise more red flags selling it as a 1957 with that case than selling it as a 1961 or without any year listed.

Duane Belotti · Post by **Duane Belotti** » 22 Oct 2016 1:13 pm

Well I did more research. I found 2 other examples of the same case I have, with others that are earlier. The first set is from a '55 Stringmaster Single, the second is from a '56 Stringmaster Double. Same type of case. Seems that type of case could have been in production earlier than previously thought.
Picture #1-55 / Picture #2-55 / Picture #3-56 / Picture #4-56

Dana Duplan · Post by **Dana Duplan** » 22 Oct 2016 1:23 pm

Those cases are different--the double neck has a brown tolex case and the single has a tweed case--

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 22 Oct 2016 1:40 pm

Fender tweed case - 1950s

Fender brown tolex case - 1960-62

Jeff Mead · Post by **Jeff Mead** » 22 Oct 2016 2:44 pm

Duane Belotti wrote:Well I did more research. I found 2 other examples of the same case I have, with others that are earlier. The first set is from a '55 Stringmaster Single, the second is from a '56 Stringmaster Double. Same type of case. Seems that type of case could have been in production earlier than previously thought.
Picture #1-55 / Picture #2-55 / Picture #3-56 / Picture #4-56

Why do you think that double neck is a '56? Maybe the guy who originally posted the picture asked Gruhns?

The fact that the other picture is named "Stringmaster single" calls into question the guy's expertise (if both pix are from the same source) since all Stringmaster have at least 2 necks.

The similarly styled single neck guitar is called a Deluxe. In fact, the pictured guitar isn't even a Deluxe, its a Champ (the student model).

J Fletcher · Post by **J Fletcher** » 22 Oct 2016 3:49 pm

So...my 1960 D8 Stringmaster is ser # 3290 , my 56 # 00753 , my 57 -01656 .
3290 has got to be 59 or 60.
The serial numbers were not sequential but I wouldn't think 3016 would be showing up before 1959.
You might want to check those pot codes again.

Jeff Mead · Post by **Jeff Mead** » 22 Oct 2016 4:03 pm

J Fletcher wrote:So...my 1960 D8 Stringmaster is ser # 3290 , my 56 # 00753 , my 57 -01656 .
3290 has got to be 59 or 60.
The serial numbers were not sequential but I wouldn't think 3016 would be showing up before 1959.
You might want to check those pot codes again.

You should add your serial numbers to Basil's thread "Establishing A Stringmaster Timeline".

You're right that steel serial numbers are pretty random but they do tend to vaguely go in order. Since Fender have no records at all about their steels, Basil's thread would be a useful resource for tracking serial numbers. Interesting about your 57 with the - in front. Some time in the late 50s the Fender Teles etc. Appeared with a dash before the serial number. As it happened on the steels too it suggests a deliberate decision rather than a glitch.

No reason to suspect the pot codes though - it wouldn't be strange to find Fender still using a batch of pots made 3 or so years earlier.