The Steel Guitar Forum

I've seen these on eBay quite often and they're finally startin to grow on me some. I was wonderin how the tone compares to that of a BR6 which I'm familiar with. Do they have the same pickups?



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Fender Stringmaster T8, Carter D-10, 54' Fender Champion, two Oahu laps, two Nationals, and two Resonators

<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Andy Sandoval on 21 February 2005 at 04:58 AM.]</p></FONT>

i would think it has the same PU as the BR6
it's pretty much the same model
esthetics put aside

REMOVED

THe br-4 and br-6 are very similar and may both have the p-90. I don't believe the br-9 has that PU. They are always for sale on ebay.

Ron

Words of wisdom Andy - they sell for more than they're really worth because of the name. I bought one on eBay a while ago for about $300 and it's okay, but after the first day or two I didn't play it. If you get one, you won't play it either - not with that T8 Stringmaster sitting there! If you really want to get another biscuit board, a Rickenbacker BD6 or a Fender Champ would be better to keep your Champion company while you're playing your Stringmaster. <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 21 February 2005 at 07:18 AM.]</p></FONT>

Andy,
Take Ricks advice, there not even good for fire wood.I had one kicking around here for a while, just a waste of strings. Now if Rick was willing to sell you that BD6 of his.

The problem with all the GIBSON'S in this series was that plastic, (non removeable) "hand rest" which always looked good but prevented right hand muting...or at best, made it darned awkward.

I have one of those around here, with the matching amp. I did a lot of tweeking on it, and it works very good. They must have made 15 or 20 thousand of those, and I thought everybody had one!! My problem with it is that it's six strings. I agree about the cover and muting, next to impossible.

I deleted my previous too-lengthy info here for brevity.

Pickups can be adjusted in height and often get a desired tone not present in factory setups. Pickup change-out to aftermarket or custome made pickups is also an alternative. Different pot and capacitor values can make allot of difference in tone. The "bunker" handrest plate can be quite easily replaced with a home-made one without the "bunker" handrest. Anyone that might have an interest in any of those mods can email me and I will send the lengthy info and details I previously posted here.

Aloha,
DT~
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Denny Turner on 23 February 2005 at 02:33 AM.]</p></FONT>

Denny:
I read your lengthy discussion and found it very informative. I have one question based on that essay. My BR9 has what I think are called adjustable pole pieces. These are 6 adjustable screws, one beneath each string. You recommend adjusting pickup height, by moving the pickup closer to the strings. How does moving the entire pickup toward the strings differ from adjusting the pole pieces to be closer to the strings?<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Bryan Bradfield on 23 February 2005 at 08:34 PM.]</p></FONT>

Gibson made two models of this guitar. I have my original that was purchased in 1947.
It has the , adjustable poles in the pick up. It also has a hard shiny enamel finish. A little later (1952 ) Gibson went to the non adjustable pick ups and the guitar has a dull or Matte type finish.I found these guitars were very satifactory for playing the ting-a-ling style. I was never impressed with their sound on A-6th or C-6th tunings. They were very easy to do slants as the string spacing was wide. They also were easy to chime. The old " Tear Drops " as done by Roy Wiggins on "Bouqet of Roses" come to mind.I alway used a straight E tuning. I believe they stopped production in 56-58 or about there.They were sometimes purchased as a combo with a small BR-9 Amp with a eight inch speaker.
As to tone, the hands and degree of accomplishment of the picker comes into play also.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Willis Vanderberg on 28 February 2005 at 05:10 AM.]</p></FONT>

Yesterday, at a guitar expo near Chicago, several of these models either were on display or walked in. Most of them were priced between $125 and $250 for one that was never played.I guess I never noticed until yesterday that the position markers are numbered.

I see that most people are disappointed with these lap steels. I have one and it screams! It's easy to play (which for is easy to say because I suck at steel). I think if the price is right, $0-$200, then get it. I think that they are better than many of the MOTS lap steels (magnatones, etc.) I've come across.

steve

I had to laugh. There was one on ebay that the seller described as "rare". I sent him an email and burst his bubble.
Ron

Hey Ron, all steels on Ebay are "RARE"
hahahahahahahahaha

I agree with Steve, they're not exactly Frypans, but they have a great Blues tone (I like it dirty ). I play one in our band and really like it.

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Half-assed bottleneck and lap slide player. Full-assed Builder of resonator instruments.