‘55 Stringmaster rebuild

Nathan Laudenbach · Post by **Nathan Laudenbach** » 28 Dec 2022 8:18 pm

Hello forum,
I have a 1955 stringmaster body. I am in the process of collecting the parts needed to make it playable again. This guitar has a 26” scale. I can’t quite seem to find enough photos online to identify the hardware I’ll need. Anyone here have a longscale D8 Stringmaster from 1955 they can post pictures of? I’m unsure of the tuner pans and the bridge plates. There appears to be a couple different versions of both that may have been changed around 54-55. Mine is ash but dark stained. Thanks!

Bill Sinclair · Post by **Bill Sinclair** » 29 Dec 2022 7:34 am

Here are some pictures of a D8 that I made from a gutted quad. The hardware shown is correct for all 26" long scale guitars, '53-'55. Bridge covers are missing. Everything about the hardware is different for the long scale guitars, including the pickups. Okay, the volume and tone knobs might be the same.

Bill Sinclair · Post by **Bill Sinclair** » 29 Dec 2022 7:54 am

Just remembered that the nut and bridge rods are the same as later models but the bridge plate is very different. Also, the V/T knobs shown on my refurbished guitar are later vintage. The originals would have had that little flattened spot on the top that tele guys pay big money for.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 29 Dec 2022 7:56 am

The bridge covers are the ones that screw down.
The bridges on the later Stringmasters came to a point on the ends and you could flip them up to gain access to the blending knob.

Erv

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 29 Dec 2022 8:46 am

Yes and there's no "blend knob" behind the bridge on these first year Stringmaster.....but if you don't know; that "Tone knob" actually works as a blend knob one neck selected at a time.
Ricky

Nathan Laudenbach · Post by **Nathan Laudenbach** » 29 Dec 2022 10:41 am

Thanks guys for the pictures and insight! I got a lead on some tuners and other parts. Exciting!

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 29 Dec 2022 10:51 am

Nathan,
I still have an intact early quad.

Erv

Samuel Phillippe · Post by **Samuel Phillippe** » 29 Dec 2022 10:57 am

Erv, enlighten this old man....What are the tunings on the quad?

Sam

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 29 Dec 2022 12:13 pm

Samuel,
I usually have a C6th, an A high base, a C#minor 7, and some form of an E tuning.

Erv

Tony Oresteen · Post by **Tony Oresteen** » 3 Jan 2023 2:09 am

Jerry Sentell can make pickups that will fit in the chrome covers. He has made 2 sets for me.

Later Mark II Stringmaster pickups with the black plastic covers will not fit the early Mark I Stringmasters.