Help identifying a Fender D8

Tom Taylor · Post by **Tom Taylor** » 10 Apr 2007 3:31 pm

I've come across a Fender D8 that I could use some help identifying. It's got the string-through trapezoid pick ups, the metal diamonds on front, 3 legs and is the dark walnut finish. I even got the SN - 1129.

Anyone know anything that might help?

Thanks.

Jon Light · Post by **Jon Light** » 10 Apr 2007 3:37 pm

That is the proper config for a Dual Professional. Common problems can be weak or dead pickups and stripped tuners. There are fixes for both. Great instruments.

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 10 Apr 2007 3:37 pm

It's a Fender Dual 8 Professional, probably from between 1948 and 1953. Photos would certainly help identify it better. You may be able to find the month and date of manufacture pencilled into the wood under one of the tuner pans.

Tom Taylor · Post by **Tom Taylor** » 10 Apr 2007 3:38 pm

Is the $1100 they're asking a fair price?

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 10 Apr 2007 4:55 pm

If it's fairly clean and everything works that's about right.
It could be worth more in a few years . .

Tom Taylor · Post by **Tom Taylor** » 10 Apr 2007 5:55 pm

It's in really nice shape, especially the body. The chrome on the pickups has some wear/corrosion, and the tuners/pans could stand to be cleaned. Other than that, it's a pretty guitar. Makes me wish I played 8 string more, but six seems to be plenty

Billy Gilbert · Post by **Billy Gilbert** » 10 Apr 2007 6:00 pm

Mine is serial 1235 and also walnut. Jerry Wallace rewound one of the pickups and Rick A. recharged the magnets and changed the polarity on one of them. It is beat up but sounds great.

:) Billy

Bill Creller · Post by **Bill Creller** » 10 Apr 2007 6:41 pm

Mine is made of white ash, 1954 date inside, ser. no. 2911 Any one know when they were discontinued in favor of the stringmaster?

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 10 Apr 2007 6:44 pm

1953 was the year that the Dual 8 Pro, Custom and Stringmaster were all in the Fender Catalog.
It was the first year for the Stringmaster.

Bill Creller · Post by **Bill Creller** » 10 Apr 2007 7:10 pm

Mine has a little piece of tape under the control panel that sez Mary 2-19-54", and the same date is under the inner tuner pan.

Roger Peterson · Post by **Roger Peterson** » 14 Apr 2007 9:18 am

I have a Duel 8 Professional I bought new in 1953 same characteristics as you describe. My serial number is 1158.

Sonny Jenkins · Post by **Sonny Jenkins** » 14 Apr 2007 9:55 am

Is there a preferred difference in the stringmaster and proffessional,,,or I should say,,what are the differences??? What is the scale length of the PRO??

Billy Gilbert · Post by **Billy Gilbert** » 14 Apr 2007 11:36 am

Mine has the 22.5" scale length. From what I hear that was the most common length.

:) Billy

Tom Baylis · Post by **Tom Baylis** » 14 Apr 2007 11:55 am

Sonny Jenkins wrote:Is there a preferred difference in the stringmaster and proffessional,,,or I should say,,what are the differences??? What is the scale length of the PRO??

Mine also has a 22.5" scale length, dated Nov 1953 under the tuner pan with s/n 3067 on the jack tail. I think the D8 Pros all had the same scale length, didn't they?

She's old and scarred and the original finish is gone, but I love my D8 Pro and those trapezoids, especially after Rick rejuvinated the magnets for me. It came to me a couple years ago for $400 and I can't imagine ever selling it.

Chris Scruggs · Post by **Chris Scruggs** » 16 Apr 2007 10:47 am

All Fenders with string through pickups (being Dual Pros, Customs, and early Deluxes) have a 22.5" scale. The early Stringmasters (1953-mid 1955) have a long 26" scale, while the later Stringmasters (late 1955 through the early 1970's) have an option of a 22.5" or a 24.5" scale length. The Deluxe (single neck) with Stringmaster features always has a short 22.5" scale.

CS

Dan Sawyer · Post by **Dan Sawyer** » 16 Apr 2007 11:40 pm

I've had both; stringmaster and Dual pro/pro (trapazoid pickups) and sold the stringmaster. To my ear, the trap pickup Fender has a more soulfull sound for jazz, swing and blues. I'll admit though, that i've never played a longer scale Stringmaster.

The Steel Guitar Forum