Fender 8 string Stringmaster?

Bob Bowman · Post by **Bob Bowman** » 3 Jan 2018 2:49 am

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-8-Str ... 1438.l2649

The seller has confirmed it has been refinished and that there are no legs, case or bridge cover.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated - particularly about the date, value, anything missing (the blend knob?) and pitfalls for the unwary (that's me)

Cheers, Bob

Cartwright Thompson · Post by **Cartwright Thompson** » 3 Jan 2018 4:13 am

Rather enigmatic photos...
Looks like the outside neck from a triple neck Stringmaster.
Missing leg sockets, jacks, diamond plates etc....and at least one other neck, possibly three.
Worth less than half what theyâ€™re asking.
It probably sounds good but Iâ€™d leave it alone at that price.

Mike A Holland · Post by **Mike A Holland** » 3 Jan 2018 4:14 am

I am not an expert on these at all, but I suspect it has been parted away from a multi neck stringmaster. It may be well be fine......!!!!!

Brad Davis · Post by **Brad Davis** » 3 Jan 2018 6:49 am

I think its worth half or less of the asking price, but I don't know what these things go for in the UK.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 3 Jan 2018 7:33 am

It's one neck of a multi-neck Stringmaster. Someone's been cobbling. Non-original volume and tone controls on the bridge plate. I agree with Brad, it's probably worth less than half of the asking price.

Alan Cannell · Post by **Alan Cannell** » 3 Jan 2018 8:22 am

Unfortunately prices in the UK for Steel Guitars are a lot higher than in the USA . The problem is if you buy from the USA , shipping and import duties to the UK are obscene , therefore itâ€™s not unusual for a USA price tag of $800 results in a UK price of Â£800.

Alan Cannell · Post by **Alan Cannell** » 3 Jan 2018 8:36 am

Forgot to mention that the inflated prices in the UK are also due to the fact that ther are not many quality instruments available. Also my example of $800_Â£800 is possibly underestimated I.e. $800 could equate to Â£1000 plus. Happy New Year everybody.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 3 Jan 2018 8:53 am

I notice the blend control is missing also.
Erv

Stephen Baker · Post by **Stephen Baker** » 3 Jan 2018 9:57 am

Even at UK prices Â£900 should get you a D8 stringmaster more or less complete

Jeff Mead · Post by **Jeff Mead** » 3 Jan 2018 12:29 pm

As others have said - it's an orphan neck from a medium scale (24.5") Stringmaster. Someone has at some point added non-Fender legs (now missing). The bridge cover is missing as is at least one of the diamonds (probably all of them hem). It's obviously a refinish. Also it's not wired to Stringmaster specs - no blend control as someone else pointed out. Apart from the knobs the rest of the hardware looks original although the pickups could have been rewound/replaced for all we know.

It could well sound great, and the missing bits could be rep!aced (or played "as is"). I've got one myself that I put together from bits and I love it.

That said, I agree it's well overpriced, even here in the UK. You could see if he'd accept half (about what the parts are worth) or hang on and check the forums - if you're patient, something better will come along for sure.

Bob Bowman · Post by **Bob Bowman** » 4 Jan 2018 3:08 am

Thanks for all of your help - one to avoid I guess

Whether or not to give the seller a link to SGF...

Cheers, Bob

Jeff Mead · Post by **Jeff Mead** » 4 Jan 2018 3:35 am

Bob - are you a member of the British Steelies forum? That's probably your best bet for finding something this side of the pond.