The Steel Guitar Forum

Can anyone tell me what a NEW Fender D-8 Professional sold for
in 1953.
Thanks
Alvin

In 1950 A Walnut Dual 8 Pro was $174.50 and $184.50 in Blonde.
By 1955 the prices had risen to $189.50 & $199.50.
You'll pay more today.

John Dahms wrote: You'll pay more today.

Understatement of the century.............

Thanks John: Acording to the inflation calculator, In 2005 I would pay $1,468.97.for my walnut dual 8.
This just goes to show what our dollar is worth today.
Keep on pikin
Alvin

Alvin, I still have a Fender D8 I bought new in 1954 for $275 with case. The top neck always had a brighter tone no matter how much tweaking. Only been in for overhaul one time thanks to Herb and Bobby "Doc" Bowman.

Hi Bill; It's been a long time since we talked, I hope you remember Seabrook Sydnor. I also notice a brighter tone on the top neck. I have a clear walnut D-8. I replaced the wiring with shielded wire all the way from the pickups through the switch to the jack which eliminated a lot of interference (cross talk) from the pickup not switched in. I can't understand why Fender never used shielded wire.
All the best to you Bill and keep up the good work on providing the tab's to us steelers.
Keep on pikin
Alvin

In 1950 A Walnut Dual 8 Pro was $174.50 and $184.50 in Blonde. By 1955 the prices had risen to $189.50 & $199.50.

That's outrageous!! Actually Rick, you're right. When you calculate for inflation, they're cheaper today, albeit, used.



Would love to find a good, clean '54 Dual Pro one of these days. Great sound!

I got lucky in 1983 and bought one in Rochester NY for $150.Then I sold it in 1995 for $300 and bought it back for $300 in 2000.
I was lucky then, too - won't be turning it loose again.

The early 80s was a good time to buy old steel guitars.
I bought a 48 Dual 8 Pro (with boxcar pickups) for $75 and a Champion for $50 - on the same day. It was at a used guitar store in Miami. The guy's exact words were: "Get these crappy things out of my store!"
I used them both a lot over the years, for live shows and recording.
Still got 'em too!

Hi Rick; I need your luck and your money. I love the D-8
Professional. What do you think of my use of shielded wire as I
outlined in my earlier post?
Keep on pikin
Alvin

I have one for sale, not the cleanest, but pretty darn good sounding... see the thread on "FOR SALE" "Trade fender for RIck"

thanks,

Alvin, shielded wire is always a good idea. Some amps are even sensitive to un-shielded wiring. Fender used foil in the Stringmasters I have worked on, in the pickup cavities, which seemed to work OK. Maybe the Dual Pro pickups are different enough to be sensitive to interference.

Good idea though

Regards BILL

By 1973, they'd gone down to $70--at least in my heartland hometown.