The Steel Guitar Forum

I lucked into this early '50s Fender D8 pro a while back, still in the original case. When I got it, the guitar was totally in pieces, as in completely disassembled. Got everything back together, and discovered that it was missing the jackplate/control plate, as you can see from the picture. I've been trying to find a plate, but with no luck thus far and I've come to the conclusion that I'm probably going to have one fabricated. I'm hoping that somebody who has one of similar vintage (I don't know exact year of this, as there was no date under the tuner pans and the pots are date coded 1947, which would be early for the trap pickups) might be able to do a tracing of the plate for me.



I'm new to console steel, having been playing conventional 6 string for most of the last 40 years, so I'm still unclear on some of the fine points like which neck is "front" and which is "back", but I've got the neck closest to me tuned to Junior Brown's C13 (since I'm real at home in open G from playing slide) and the other neck in E13, where I'm still totally lost, so I'm also looking for learning resources as I'm stumbling about figuring out chord voicings and such on my own. I've found plenty of stuff on C6 six-string (like DeWitt Scott's Mel Bay book), but precious little on 8 string and/or E13. Any pointers towards places to learn would be much appreciated.

Keep on twangin'

George

Welcome and congrats on the guitar. The '47 pots probably pre-date the guitars manufacture date because of the traps as you said as well as the fret markers not being Roman numerals and the Fender plate would have Dual Professional printed on it and you did not mention that. A control plate like you need recently sold on Ebay (search item number: 110120384638) which gives hope that you may find another but if you decide to make one I can provide photos and measurements from my guitars for you.

I bid on that very eBay auction, but wasn't the winner. I've been calling and emailing all the specialty steel shops I can find (and thanks to b0b and Brad Bechtel for their very helpful link sections, as well as countless others) but with no luck thus far (with "thus far" extending back a couple of years). If you could provide measurements and photos (or a tracing) it would be greatly appreciated.

The Fender plate just says "Fender Fullerton CA" and the decal on the front of the console is half missing. It sure sounds sweet, though.

George---I've got a series of photos I can send you. Email me so I can send them (you can't send attachments thru the forum email button).

Jon,

Thanks. I've sent you an email with my return address.

I pulled mine apart and traced out a template for you. Send me your email address and I'll send it along.

John,

Done. And thanks again.

If that gets too difficult George, I'll make you a plate. I have my dual pro apart right now and I likely could make one..

Regards BILL

Bill,

I would really appreciate that, as I'm a pretty fair hand with a soldering iron and can get by with woodworking tools, but metal work has never been my strong point. Just let me know how much you want for it. I'm dropping you an email through the forum with my information.

Aint this a great place!!!

Is this *the* George Van Wagner from the Line6 forum?
Welcome dude!!!

Larry Robbins wrote:Aint this a great place!!!

To quote Stan Laurel, "It certainly is, Ollie."

Bill Leff wrote:Is this *the* George Van Wagner from the Line6 forum?
Welcome dude!!!

Well, I haven't been with Line 6 since March of 2006, but yeah, that would be me. Having fun designing steel tones for the Dual Pro with my Vetta and with Gearbox.

Say, do you know if Terry Christopherson from Buck Owens' band ever hangs here? I haven't talked with him since before Buck passed away, and wanted to find out what he's doing now. Once I get this thing so it's portable, I need to find me some lessons, especially for that E13 neck.