I'm new to the forum and need some information

Tom Mikkelson · Post by **Tom Mikkelson** » 22 Dec 2020 9:56 am

I recently bought a 1950's three neck Fender console steel guitar and there is a single two position switch, what is that for, and the non-volume pot, what is it for? Also can a date of manufacturing be determined by number 9901 found by the input plug. Any info would be truly appreciated. I will try and include some photos next time.

K Maul · Post by **K Maul** » 22 Dec 2020 10:16 am

Not sure about that switch. The â€œnon volume potâ€ is tone. Pictures would help.
That number is not a reference for manufacture date or anything else. If you take the tuning pans out you MIGHT find a date written in pencil plus a name of the person who worked on it or did final inspection. Thatâ€™s the closest youâ€™ll ever get to the info you seek.

Dom Franco · Post by **Dom Franco** » 22 Dec 2020 11:44 am

please post pictures

Bill Sinclair · Post by **Bill Sinclair** » 22 Dec 2020 12:18 pm

Based on your description of where you see the serial number, I suspect that you have a T-8 Custom with the trapezoid pickups rather than a Stringmaster. If I remember correctly, the two position toggle turns on all 3 necks in one position and in the other position allows you to select the necks individually with the tophat 3-position switch. If it has the trap pickups, it would be early to mid 50's. Look under the tuning pans, as K Maul said.

Tommy Martin Young · Post by **Tommy Martin Young** » 22 Dec 2020 12:24 pm

Here's a before & after pic of my (pedal-less) Fender 1000 to show you where you might the date written. I had it dipped and stripped of its red Rustoleum paint and whaddya know the pencil remained... 8/60!

Tom Mikkelson · Post by **Tom Mikkelson** » 22 Dec 2020 1:15 pm

Thank you all for the information. It will sure help and I will put up some photos. I believe I saw on this forum that it has a butterscotch finish and does have the trapezoid pickups. Unfortunately I discovered another tuning key slips, so two of the headstocks have this problem. On the first headstock it appeared the worm gear and driving gear were worn. I installed another driving gear but it still slipped. Is this an expensive repair? Since they might have to replaced both gears and that doesn't look simple. Again, and information is truly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Allan Revich · Post by **Allan Revich** » 22 Dec 2020 10:49 pm

Tom Mikkelson wrote:Thank you all for the information. It will sure help and I will put up some photos. I believe I saw on this forum that it has a butterscotch finish and does have the trapezoid pickups. Unfortunately I discovered another tuning key slips, so two of the headstocks have this problem. On the first headstock it appeared the worm gear and driving gear were worn. I installed another driving gear but it still slipped. Is this an expensive repair? Since they might have to replaced both gears and that doesn't look simple. Again, and information is truly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

You can buy new tuning machines for Fender Stringmasters here https://www.wdmusic.com/tuning-machines ... ments.html
Possibly also at Stewmac.

Tom Mikkelson · Post by **Tom Mikkelson** » 23 Dec 2020 5:23 am

Thank you Allen. I may have to try and install the Stringmaster tuners if they will fit, I assume they will.

Bill Sinclair · Post by **Bill Sinclair** » 23 Dec 2020 5:58 am

Tom Mikkelson wrote:Thank you Allen. I may have to try and install the Stringmaster tuners if they will fit, I assume they will.

Stringmaster tuners will not fit. These Stewmac 12 string tuners will (with two tuners cut off each strip). You could potentially use one set to repair both pans. Do a forum search for "lollipop tuners" to see the repair technique. It's a real pain. You might consider contacting forum member Jim Palenscar and just send him your pans.

https://www.stewmac.com/parts-and-hardw ... uitar.html

Tom Mikkelson · Post by **Tom Mikkelson** » 23 Dec 2020 9:39 am

This is a link to the exact steel guitar I have. It doesn't look like the Stringmaster tuning machine tray would work. Does anyone know of a repairman that would work on these or is there any after market trays available. Again thanks for any info. https://reverb.com/item/34715008-1953-f ... -oem-parts

Tom Mikkelson · Post by **Tom Mikkelson** » 23 Dec 2020 9:49 am

Thank you Bill Sinclair. I will take your advice because it looks like cutting off two tuners and adapting it to the tuning tray would be very difficult.