The Steel Guitar Forum

I am still looking for my first "professional" lap steel guitar. Now I got an offer for a fender stringmaster from around 1960 (according to the seller).

Here are 3 pictures I got.
http://www.noetz.li/steelpics/stringmaster1.jpg http://www.noetz.li/steelpics/stringmaster2.jpg http://www.noetz.li/steelpics/stringmaster3.jpg

My question: Would you buy this guitar? Does it look ok to you? How much would you pay for this one?

Thank you for your advice.

Caspar

Caspar, that's a Deluxe 8. If it's pre 1960, it's made from high grade swamp ash and probably sounds great. If it's 1960 or later, it's made from a cheaper grade of ash and won't have as good tone and sustain as the earlier models. In fact, the sustain pretty well dies about halfway up the neck. So the year of manufacture is of key importance.
The month and year of manufacture are written in marker under the tuner pan.

A 50s model is worth about $700 - $800. I wouldn't buy a 1960 or later model . .

Rick,
If I'm not mistaken, it looks like it has the newer style "Fender" logo plate on it.
What you say?
Erv

Erv, I'm afeared you're right.
Anyway, if the seller says it's "around 1960" you can bet it's not a 50s model.

Caspar, does it have a case? If so, is it tweed, brown or black?

Rick:

I beg to differ with your assessment of post-1960 Fender steels.

I own a post-1960 D8 Stringmaster (black tolex case) and it is a great sounding guitar with no issues. It is my main gigging steel. I wouldn't sell it unless I *really* needed the money.

You can hear it here and judge for yourself:

http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplayer.m3u?id=3133459&q=hi

Bill

After listening to Bill L. play one of those things, I'd say buy it!!

Bill,
Great sounding stuff. . . .Real Boss!

Bill, that does sound really good - you sure can play!

I have a 63 D8 Stringmaster and a 57 T8. The 63 was my first Stringmaster and I thought it sounded good. Then I got the 57 and it had much better tonality and more sustain. It's the wood that makes that difference. I also have a 1960 T8 and the 3rd neck from a Quad made in the 50s. The tonal difference between these guitars is also quite remarkable.

Remember though, Caspar is contemplating a Deluxe 8. The 60s Deluxe 8s have been known to kind of die out halfway up the neck.

To quote Jerry Byrd: "If you can play, it doesn't matter what guitar you have - and if you can't play, it doesn't matter what guitar you have . ."

But he was mighty particular about his guitars . .

Thank you for all your answers. The seller is asking over $1400.- Hhm, maybe a new MSA SuperSlide would be a better deal. I guess I have to think this over.

Caspar

Bill says,

<SMALL>I beg to differ with your assessment of post-1960 Fender steels.</SMALL>

I do too, Bill.

I have a 1960's D-8 Fender Stringmaster, and it has great sustain. The pickups on the bass notes are also outstanding. Better than my Excel D-8. IJMHO

Aloha,
Don

Don,
What's the scale length on your Stringmaster? That could make quite a bit of difference in sustain between that guitar and the Excel. Do you have the short scale Excel (22")