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Topic: Dual Professional vs. Stringmaster |
Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 21 Dec 2006 7:28 am |
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I just picked up a lovely D-6 Dual Professional from a forumite in dark walnut finish, and I must say it's a really nice guitar. As a previous owner of a D-6 Stringmaster (or Deluxe, whatever you call it), I can honestly say that I think the Dual Professionals do not get the credit they deserve.
I prefer its tone over the Stringmaster, although the ability to dial in with the Stringmaster is a definite advantage. Another thing I like is that it's made from a solid piece of wood, as opposed to the Stringmaster being separate necks. I have not experienced the difficulty that some say they have with the trapezoid pickup being in the way up in the region above the 17th fret. Maybe I'm just accustomed to my Tricones' cover handrest, as I like to either rest my hand on it or behind it.
Anyway, if you're searching for a 2 or 3 neck Fender, do not rule these out. They are still a great value. |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 21 Dec 2006 8:55 am
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| I own a great-sounding Stringmaster but I wish I still had my old swamp ash Dual Pro. I used to walk by and strum it on my way out of the door and the strings would still be ringing as I put on my coat, hat and gloves. |
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Eric Gearhart
From:
Bellingham, Massachusetts, USA
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Posted 21 Dec 2006 9:16 am
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| Mike, I'm glad you like it. It makes me feel good having sold a good instrument to a good musician. Enjoy...... |
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Mark van Allen
From:
Watkinsville, Ga. USA
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Posted 21 Dec 2006 9:35 am
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| I've had 6 or 8 of both over time and still prefer the Dual Pro. A truly great example of Leo's functional ethic. I have a feeling they're all going to start going up in value pretty fast. |
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Herb Steiner
From:
Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064
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Posted 21 Dec 2006 11:14 am
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I've had many of both. Still have a Custom and a Dual Pro, as well as 3 Stringmasters.
The Dual Pros/Customs are great sounding guitars. They have only two drawbacks, IMHO. Firstly, three legs are not as stable a platform as four legs; secondly, as Mike mentioned, the position of the pickup makes it difficult to play above the 17th fret. And I have small hands. But I'm a palm blocker. If I rested my hand on the pickup, there'd be more room but blocking would have to be pick blocking.
On a reso like a Tri-cone, blocking the notes isn't nearing as crucial, if at all. IMHO.
Of course, most guys only occasionally play up in Joaquin-land, and the guitar sounds fantastic in the lower registers.
AND... prices on the trapezoid guitars are currently running at 1/2 to 2/3rds the price of similarly equipped Stringmasters. They are definitely old Fender guitars, and the demand for them will eventually be recognized. Buy them now while they're cheap!
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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association
[This message was edited by Herb Steiner on 21 December 2006 at 11:22 AM.] |
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Marty Smith
From:
California
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Posted 21 Dec 2006 1:52 pm
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I had a 52 tripple 8 custom with the trapazoid pickups, I also had a 56 stringmaster. The custom sounded beter by far no mater what I did. They do not get the credit they deserve!!
Marty[This message was edited by Marty Smith on 21 December 2006 at 01:53 PM.] |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 21 Dec 2006 2:00 pm
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I sort of regret selling my Dual Professional, but I used the money to buy my National Style 1.5 tricone. I think it was a fair tradeoff considering the circumstances.
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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 21 Dec 2006 2:05 pm
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Brad, didn't anyone ever tell you that Tricones are out of style?  |
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John Dahms
From:
Perkasie, Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 21 Dec 2006 3:14 pm
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| I'm always thinking it is sacrilegious to say this but I too prefer Dual Pros to Stringmasters. I had 2 56 Stringmasters (a 22.5 & a 24") and parted with them both because they weren't right for me. I kept my 2 Dual pros though because for my way of playing they sound better. As many times as I tried to warm up to the Stringmasters they left me untouched. Other people make them sound great, just not me. |
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John Bushouse
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Posted 21 Dec 2006 3:39 pm
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| What's the scale length on the Dual Professional? |
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John Dahms
From:
Perkasie, Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 21 Dec 2006 7:14 pm
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Both of my dual 8s are 22.5"
One with boxcars, one with traps. |
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Andy Sandoval
From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
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Posted 21 Dec 2006 9:08 pm
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| I've got a 55' Stringmaster T-8 long scale that's got a great tone and sustain. but would love to own a dual pro some day. Is there a big difference soundwise between the traps and boxcar style pickups? |
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William Clark
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Posted 21 Dec 2006 10:30 pm
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| I picked up a T-8 Custom in Walnut about a year ago. It was the first console steel that I bought. I bought it because I couldn't find a Stringmaster. Since then, I have added a T-8 Stringmaster with a 24.5 scale, a Deluxe 8 in Blonde, a Gibson Console Grande and a Fender 1000. I probably play the Custom and the CG the most. I just love the sound of them! |
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 22 Dec 2006 5:30 am
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My first steels were a Champion and a 47 Dual Pro with boxcars. I paid $75 for the Dual Pro.
That was a long time ago.
It's still a real nice sounding guitar. I also have a couple of Customs with trapezoids and they sound killer, real honkytonk. Customs and Dual Pros are all 22 1/2" scale.
Stringmasters are great - and although I like short scale for the relative accuracy, the 26" scale has the best tone and sustain of any Fender Steel. Forumite Rusty Rogers has a nice 1955 26" D-8 that he wants to trade for a D-10 PSG.
So far Dual Pros and Customs haven't shot up in price like Stringmasters, maybe they're just not generally considered as iconic or something. The fact is though, a lot of those great early recordings were made with Customs and Dual Pros (or their prototypical predecessors). Stringmasters weren't manufactured until 1953, which was also the year that the first Nashville recording with pedal steel heralded the 50 year moratorium of non-pedal steel in Country & Pop recordings.
RA
BIG STEEL[This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 22 December 2006 at 08:29 AM.] |
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Rick Collins
From:
Claremont , CA USA
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Posted 22 Dec 2006 8:15 am
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I have a trap pickup Dual Pro. and a 26" scale triple Stringmaster.
The Dual Pro. has a great sound for Hawaiian. But, a disadvantage is that it is not cut-away along the fretboards for playing clearance like the Stringmaster. I have clear Mylar pick guards installed on each neck.
The Stringmaster with the long scale is great for western swing. |
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