Stringmaster Connecting Rods - D8 & Quad

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Tony Oresteen
Posts: 529
Joined: 8 May 2017 7:54 pm
Location: Georgia, USA

Stringmaster Connecting Rods - D8 & Quad

Post by Tony Oresteen »

I need to know the length of the connecting rods for a D8 and a Quad Stringmaster.

I pulled the rods out of my 1978 T8 and here is how they measured:


Bridge Side Rod:
================

Length = 13.0"

Diameter = 0.250" steel rod

Thread size ends: 1/4-20

Thread lengths outside end: 1.250"

Thread lengths inside end: 0.750"



Nut Side Rod:
==============

Length = 12.375"

Diameter = 0.250" steel rod

Thread size ends: 1/4-20

Thread lengths outside end: 1.250"

Thread lengths inside end: 0.750"


My plan is to make a set of rods for the D2 & Quad Stringmasters.

Thanks!
Tony
Newnan, GA

Too many guitars, not enough time to play
'72 Sho-Bud 6139 '71 Sho-Bud 6140
'82 Sho-Bud 6160 '73 Sho-Bud 6138
'71 Marlen 210
'78 Fender Stringmaster T8 black '70??? Fender Champ Lap Steel
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Tony Oresteen
Posts: 529
Joined: 8 May 2017 7:54 pm
Location: Georgia, USA

Post by Tony Oresteen »

OK, lets get this information completed!

First, does anyone know if the connected rods for 22.5" scale Mk2 Stringmasters are the same lengths as the 24.5" scale Mk2 Stringmasters? i,e, D8, T8, & Q8. My guess is that they are as Leo wouldn't want to stock any more parts than he had to.

Secondly, what are the connecting rod sizes for the Mk 1 26" scale:

Double 8?

Triple 8?

Quad 8?

=====================================================

I can now add the rod sizes for a Mk 2 Quad 24.5" scale:


Bridge Side Rod:
================

Length = 17.5"

Diameter = 0.250" steel rod

Thread size ends: 1/4-20

Thread lengths outside end: 1.250"

Thread lengths inside end: 0.750"



Nut Side Rod:
==============

Length = 17.0""

Diameter = 0.250" steel rod

Thread size ends: 1/4-20

Thread lengths outside end: 1.250"

Thread lengths inside end: 0.750"


Thirdly, can someone who owns a Stringmaster Mk2 Double 8 24.5" scale pull the rods and measure them? I pulled the rods out on my T8 today with set up on it's legs to double check my previous measurements. I did one side at a time, total time was less than 15 minutes. Many thanks!


I failed to mention in my prior post that my previous data was for a 24.5" scale Mk2 T8:


Bridge Side Rod:
================

Length = 13.0"

Diameter = 0.250" steel rod

Thread size ends: 1/4-20

Thread lengths outside end: 1.250"

Thread lengths inside end: 0.750"



Nut Side Rod:
==============

Length = 12.375"

Diameter = 0.250" steel rod

Thread size ends: 1/4-20

Thread lengths outside end: 1.250"

Thread lengths inside end: 0.750"


I have found that the simplest way to make a connecting rod is to use 1/4"-20 threaded steel rod. A 36" long piece was $2.75 at Lowe's. I made 3 rods today in about 30 minutes.

Thanks all!
Tony
Newnan, GA

Too many guitars, not enough time to play
'72 Sho-Bud 6139 '71 Sho-Bud 6140
'82 Sho-Bud 6160 '73 Sho-Bud 6138
'71 Marlen 210
'78 Fender Stringmaster T8 black '70??? Fender Champ Lap Steel
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George Piburn
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Joined: 1 Jul 2003 12:01 am
Location: The Land of Enchantment New Mexico
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Connection Tubes

Post by George Piburn »

Tony,

In case you need them I have 3D printed little tubes that the rods go through with the little ridge between the necks, made to specs I got on the forum from a member who measured out the originals that were lathed from metal thick wall tubing.
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Tony Oresteen
Posts: 529
Joined: 8 May 2017 7:54 pm
Location: Georgia, USA

Re: Connection Tubes

Post by Tony Oresteen »

George Piburn wrote:Tony,

In case you need them I have 3D printed little tubes that the rods go through with the little ridge between the necks, made to specs I got on the forum from a member who measured out the originals that were lathed from metal thick wall tubing.
That is great that you have done this for the Stringmaster community!! While I do not need any (I actually have 2 spares) I'd like to get a couple of them.
Last edited by Tony Oresteen on 1 Nov 2023 4:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Tony
Newnan, GA

Too many guitars, not enough time to play
'72 Sho-Bud 6139 '71 Sho-Bud 6140
'82 Sho-Bud 6160 '73 Sho-Bud 6138
'71 Marlen 210
'78 Fender Stringmaster T8 black '70??? Fender Champ Lap Steel
User avatar
George Piburn
Posts: 2045
Joined: 1 Jul 2003 12:01 am
Location: The Land of Enchantment New Mexico
Contact:

You Got them.

Post by George Piburn »

I've already sent you 6 of them today as a Gift.

Lettuce know if these can help you or other stringmaster projects.

Best Regards

GeorgeBoards
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Tony Oresteen
Posts: 529
Joined: 8 May 2017 7:54 pm
Location: Georgia, USA

Post by Tony Oresteen »

George,

That is fantastic! Thank you so much. I really appreciate it!
Tony
Newnan, GA

Too many guitars, not enough time to play
'72 Sho-Bud 6139 '71 Sho-Bud 6140
'82 Sho-Bud 6160 '73 Sho-Bud 6138
'71 Marlen 210
'78 Fender Stringmaster T8 black '70??? Fender Champ Lap Steel
User avatar
Tony Oresteen
Posts: 529
Joined: 8 May 2017 7:54 pm
Location: Georgia, USA

Post by Tony Oresteen »

George,

That is fantastic! Thank you so much. I really appreciate it!
Tony
Newnan, GA

Too many guitars, not enough time to play
'72 Sho-Bud 6139 '71 Sho-Bud 6140
'82 Sho-Bud 6160 '73 Sho-Bud 6138
'71 Marlen 210
'78 Fender Stringmaster T8 black '70??? Fender Champ Lap Steel
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