New Fender Six String Steel - Review

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 28 Sep 2005 4:59 am

I recently tried the new Fender six string steel guitar at Elderly Instruments.

First the good news. Fender has changed the tuning buttons from "Play Dough Puffs" to a more traditional ivoroid oval shape... much nicer. The tuning machines themselves look like traditional Klusons. Appearance wise it's very attractive with a 1950's design look. The chromed mirrored fingerboard is a bit disconcerting. It reflects your hands, which I don't want to see. But it is nice if you have to check out if there is any food stuck between your teeth.

The guitar plays in tune and the intonation, for lack of a better word on a fretless instrument is accurate.

Next. I could not get a decent tone out of this thing. The tone was very trebly and VERY THIN. I tried adjusting the tone control to get more bass and just got more mud. I tried different amps. I ran it through a Fender Steel King, Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue and a Fender Blues Junior. Same thing... very thin tone.

All in all I was not impressed.

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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association

George Manno · Post by **George Manno** » 28 Sep 2005 8:35 am

My first impression after playing it was. If you change out the pickup, electronics and tuners it might sound a little better. Too much work for just "might". We just put a BL XL500 blade pickup in it and then EQ-ed the heck out of the high end.
1-1/2 stars in my book. I liked the case.

GM

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 28 Sep 2005 8:43 am

Saw one at a local music shop the other day, but was on a tight schedule and didn't have time to play it.

The mirror thing didn't bother me, I thought it actually looks cool. As a matter of fact, I like the looks of the guitar-I think Fender did a good job on the aesthetics part.

But if it doesn't sound like much then what's the point of this latest venture to re-introduce a Fender lap guitar, considering its celebrated past?

I wonder if the Custom Shop in southern California would have any interest in building a quality non-pedal guitar to put Fender back on the map in this category?

I've heard the rumor on the Forum that there's more to come, well I'm looking forward to it.

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Mark
[This message was edited by Mark Eaton on 28 September 2005 at 09:45 AM.][This message was edited by Mark Eaton on 28 September 2005 at 09:45 AM.]

Kevin Bullat · Post by **Kevin Bullat** » 28 Sep 2005 11:26 am

Sounds to me (no pun intended, well... yeah pun intended), that if you replace the pickups, tuners, electronic, fretboard, and body with vintage Fender stuff, you'd have a pretty good soundling little 6 string...

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 28 Sep 2005 11:26 am

I also was very disappointed in the FS52 - pics and comments are here
The cons outweigh the pros by a large margin.
It's a rare occasion for me to return a Steel Guitar, but this dog is going back.

RA[This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 28 September 2005 at 12:27 PM.]

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 28 Sep 2005 11:49 am

Thanks for the link, Rick.

So without giving anything away, Jody Carver advises us to hang in there-that Fender is apparently up to something good.

Sounds like a no-brainer to me, what with all the interest in lap/non-pedal these days.

I don't think it would turn into a high volume Musician's Friend mail order kind of thing like when they were promoting 50th anniversary Strats last year, but I'm sure there's a decent profit in it if Fender reissues higher end steels-this Forum has over 5,000 members and a fair amount of them would be highly interested.

I was speaking with Darick Campbell of the Campbell Brothers the other day when they were in San Francisco and though he is happy with his new Sierra with a DiMarzio pickup, he commented how he was a long-time Fender man. He'd probably still be a Fender man if they could build him a guitar spec'd the way he'd like it instead of hauling his vintage guitars out on the road.

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Mark
[This message was edited by Mark Eaton on 28 September 2005 at 01:03 PM.]

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 28 Sep 2005 8:53 pm

Mark, Yes I quoted that,I can only add give them a chance It was told to me by one of the marketing people.

Rick I see your point and unfortunatly I agree that the present steel that Fender developed is below par. But sometimes Dogs always somehow find their way home. Again
From what I have heard first hand,its one day at a time.

However There Will Never Be Another LEO FENDER. They must do it on their own and not depend on Leo's legacy. I agree with all of you. They have to do the job or else.[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 28 September 2005 at 09:56 PM.]

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 29 Sep 2005 2:28 am

Hopefully Fender is minding the feedback here and will pay attention.

Todd Weger · Post by **Todd Weger** » 29 Sep 2005 6:33 am

I think if Fender wanted to really create the look, feel and SOUND of the old Fender lapsteels, they would make a deal with Aiello/Lollar!

The fake boxcar killed it for me, too. Didn't they do any marketing research? I'm guessing they saw Gretsch craking out those cheap steels, and thought people apparently don't care what they sound/play like. All it has to do is say Fender on it, and they'll buy it?

I'll definitely be hanging on to my '56 T8 and '60 D8!

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Todd James Weger/RD/RTD
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (C6, A6, B11); 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (C6, B11/A6); Chandler RH-4 Koa semi-hollow lapsteel (open G); Regal resonator (open D or G)

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 29 Sep 2005 7:34 am

I'm not trying to be a Fender apologist here or anything, but does anyone know what strings are shipped with the instrument? Most lap steels I've heard that have a thin sound are greatly improved by using a heavy gauge string set.

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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars

Terry VunCannon · Post by **Terry VunCannon** » 29 Sep 2005 7:45 am

I have one of the new Fenders & I am not happy with it!!! I have National Dynamics, a Harmos, a Oahu Tonemaster, & in the lower $$$ lines, a Goldtone copy of the Tonemaster, & even a Artisan ($79 from MF). The Fender just does not cut it, I had rather play the Artisan than the Fender.
I noticed Rick Alexander says his "Dog is going back". You are lucky to have that option. I bought mine from a small store & I can not just take it back.
Others are saying that "Jody Carver advises us to hang in there-that Fender is up to something good". Well, I wonder what Fender will do for me. It's pretty sad when a $79 cheapo sounds better that a "Fender".

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 29 Sep 2005 7:47 am

I was able to retune the Fender steel to a C6 tuning (CEGACE), but I could not get the 6th string to tune up to C, it was way too heavy. So what does this tell you about the other gauges?

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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association

[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 29 September 2005 at 08:47 AM.]

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 29 Sep 2005 8:15 am

Terry writes and I quote....................

others are saying that "Jody Carver advises us to hang in there-that Fender is up to something good". Well, I wonder what Fender will do for me. It's pretty sad when a $79 cheapo sounds better that a "Fender".

Yes Terry I did advise those of you to "hang in there". I feel as you all do. Remember please, the Fender as we knew is no longer the Fender of today. Those are strong words coming from someone who fed his family being a Fender sales rep all of my life.

Fender has been my life and I too agree that
those in command should have someone oversee the design and quality of a product such as this. There are many non pedal steel guitars out there today. I wished I were able to give
Fender some input and advise them as to what the market needs and wants. I have a few of my original Fender guitars,and this is not a shadow of the originals or even close for that matter. I am so sorry if my previous comments whereas Fender will do the job and to quote you again, Hang in there upset those of you who took my word. I plan on going to the Namm show but since I am no longer considered part of what is happening today, I doubt my input would mean anything.

Please forgive me,I meant not to lead anyone of you on. Fender has always been in my heart
I do beleive if those in marketing see this,perhaps it will help.And for that I am truly sorry.

Thank You, all of You.

Jody

Bill Leff · Post by **Bill Leff** » 29 Sep 2005 8:23 am

I've seen the name Sam Marshall on this forum and I believe he works for Fender, so he may be the guy to go to about this.

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 29 Sep 2005 8:29 am

Hey Jody, no apology necesarry. Fender had the right idea but just didn't pay attention to some details tryin to cut corners I suppose, and I'm sure most of those guys have never even heard a steel guitar before. I value your words and advise and feel fortunate to have someone of your caliber on this Forum. Later bro...

Terry VunCannon · Post by **Terry VunCannon** » 29 Sep 2005 9:17 am

Hey Jody...I agree that no apology is necesarry from you. I also value your words & feel fortunate to have someone of your caliber on this forum.
My dissapointment is with Fender!!!!!!!

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'49 & '51 National Dynamics, Harmos Model One, Lazy River Weissenborn, Mesa Boogie DC-3, SRV Strat.
http://community.webshots.com/user/keefriff

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 29 Sep 2005 9:57 am

Jody,

No apology necessary.

I'm positive that if you were the project manager for this guitar we would each own two by now.

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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 29 Sep 2005 10:54 am

Somewhere around here I have a DVD showing what they do at the Fender Custom Shop. The guys that work there seem pretty cool and are building some outstanding guitars.

Some of these guys are relatively young, and they seem to have a genuine reverence for the legacy of Leo. They even have a scene where they show some of Leo's tooling and machinery, and are marveling at the stuff.

I really believe that there are folks working at Fender that care about the history and reputation of the company.

I would like to think that if Jody were pointing out to these folks at the NAMM show what needs to be done to put Fender back on the map in regards to steel guitars, somebody would listen.

It would be like listening to Willie Mays talk about hitting (sorry Jody, I'm a long-time Giants fan and I just couldn't bear to use someone like Duke Snider for my analogy

).

But then, there's always the accountants-the dreaded "bean counter" factor...

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Mark

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 29 Sep 2005 11:41 am

The Duke Of Flatbush was the Best. Say Hey Willie was great,but not as great as Duke Snider.Willie would have been an even greater player if he wore "DODGER BLUE"

Yes I know all about the accountants and that dreadful disease reffered to as the BPI

"Buying Power Index".

Regards from Ebbets Field in BROOKLYN NY

careful we are going off topic here with
Willy, Mickey and The DUKE

back to the subject, lets help Fender to help the steel players. [This message was edited by Jody Carver on 29 September 2005 at 12:48 PM.]

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 29 Sep 2005 11:55 am

Right. I will refrain from going off topic after this, but...if you were starting your own baseball team today and could choose in their prime between The Duke and Willie?

Please-put that Dodger blue aside for a minute and get real!

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Mark

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 29 Sep 2005 12:05 pm

Who would I choose?? maybe #24

Ya got me Giants Fan

# 4 was great as well as #7 can you imagine the Duke in Left Field Willie in Center and Mickey in right field....back on topic

Play Ball

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 29 Sep 2005 12:49 pm

I went over to Haight-Ashbury Music in Sunnyvale (don't ask) at lunch and checked out the Fender FS-52 lap steel they had in the window. First impressions - not bad.

The guitar looks pretty good, although the paint seems a little light; could have used another coat. I like how the guitar cord plugs into the bottom of the instrument. The knobs are well laid out, especially if you want to use the tone knob while you play.

If you like to pick near the end of the strings, you're in trouble. The pickup cover makes that feat impossible.

I plugged it into one of the store's demo amps - a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb reissue. A little tweaking of the tuners and I'm set to go. The tuners have cheap plastic buttons on them, but function as expected. They're probably the cheapest looking part on the guitar.

I was able to get a pretty good tone, but I can surely see where people are complaining about the sound. It's definitely not the traditional Fender sound you associate with their steel guitars. It was tuned in open G, but I retuned it to open E and played it that way. To me it sounded better in open E. (I didn't try C6th because I didn't really have time.) I think it sounds more like a Fender Stratocaster than a lap steel.

The only other thing that bothered me was the mirror finish on the fretboard. I kept thinking I was not placing the bar correctly, but it was the reflection of my hand. The frets are painted on and seemed to be accurate.

Conclusion after 20 minutes of playing - still not bad. If someone gave me one, I'd be happy. I'd like to see how it sounds with other instruments.

They were asking just under $400 on the price tag. Compare that to the vintage Fenders on eBay and it's still an okay deal. Just don't expect classic Fender steel guitar sounds from it.

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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars

[This message was edited by Brad Bechtel on 29 September 2005 at 01:56 PM.][This message was edited by Brad Bechtel on 29 September 2005 at 06:17 PM.]

Jaime Miller · Post by **Jaime Miller** » 29 Sep 2005 3:43 pm

Brad wrote:

"I think it sounds more like a Fender Stratocaster than a lap steel."

Maybe that was what they were after since so many guitar players play slide on their Strats. Their marketing people should have called it the "Lap Strat".

Now that they have the bodies, maybe the Custom Shop can make something for the Fender steel crowd.

Jaime

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 29 Sep 2005 5:20 pm

The interesting thing is that I got a better range of sounds when I used Loni Specter's Redneck on a Strat body. You get the three pickups and all variations instead of just one pickup by itself.

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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 29 Sep 2005 6:16 pm

I tuned mine to A (A C# E A C# E) because the tension felt about right with that tuning. I was really hoping it would sound great.

I have Fenders, Rickys, Supros, Nationals, Gibsons, Gretsch, and a number of others in my collection. The FS52 just doesn't stack up to any of them.

Fender certainly could make a great steel guitar if they really wanted to. I guess it's just not one of their priorities.

It is shiny, though . .