The Steel Guitar Forum

Anyone out there ever seen an early ‘50s Fender steel, blonde, with no logo on front and no metal logo tag between the necks?

I just picked up a Custom T-8, and the name “Fender” does not appear on it anywhere. There is no logo plate between the necks and no logo decal on the front. The finish is original blonde nitro, complete with checking, so I’m sure that the guitar has not been refinished. Some of the early Fender steels had no logo on the front, but I’ve never seen one without the metal logo tag between the necks. Have you?

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<font size=-1>My Site - Instruction | My SteelTab</font>

Doug
Yes often times not a rarity.

Thanks Jody!

Would that be an oversite or a custom~order? Hopefully it has a S/N!

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“Big John” Bechtel
Coming Soon: New Burgundy D–10 Derby (w/6 & ,
’65 Re-Issue Fender Twin–Reverb Custom™ 15” Eminence.
Current Equipment

Yes, the serial number is 0480, which makes it an early one I believe.

Want a metal logo tag?

0480, you bet its an old one I have two in that range of production great guitar
Doug. Happy for you.

Thanks to all for the great responses. Hill, yes, thank you for your generous offer! I will send you an email.

It just so happens that I have a couple of original little nails that Fender used to attach fretboards and logo tags back in this era. They came off a '53 Custom, and I knew I'd find a use for them someday. I think this Custom is a little earlier than'53 though.

I also have almost enough of the Original 5/8” slotted~screws, if anyone needs them. Almost enough for a complete T-8 Custom. (I have [43]-screws) A T–8 Custom used [46]-screws.

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“Big John” Bechtel
Coming Soon: New Burgundy D–10 Derby (w/6 & ,
’65 Re-Issue Fender Twin–Reverb Custom™ 15” Eminence.
Current Equipment

Here's a quick pic of my "no name" steel guitar!

<center> </center>

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<font size=-1>My Site - Instruction | My SteelTab</font>

Doug, that's not playin' fair! I'm very jealous! What a beauty!

That guitar looks like it's been refinished. Maybe that's the reason for no ID on it.

Irv
That does not look to me like a guitar than has been refinished wanna fight?? put em up Seriously it looks orginal to me.

The finish is original. There are a lot of very fine checking lines that do not show in the picture above. Also, the guitar has that sweet aroma that comes from nitrocellulose paint. There's nothing like it! You can smell that aroma as soon as the case is opened. About 1968 Fender dropped the nitro finishes on their guitars, unfortunately.

Notice the cigarette burn on the inner neck, far left, next to the tuner pan. Some old cowboy stuck his cigarette in there long ago. I love to see those character marks on an old guitar!

I think the same metal logo plates are on the top of this page if you want to spend $20 for one.
link to item.

Love that playing card shirt posted in the above photo!!! Tempted to start a thread on cool old shirts.

<h6>Edited by Brad Bechtel to shorten the URL.</h6><font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Brad Bechtel on 26 December 2005 at 08:45 AM.]</p></FONT>

Doug, The logo I sent you is the third one
down from the top, on the page Bill Quinn
posted.
"One question... this is the Block logo, right? As you probably know, the early 50's Fender logo was in Block letters until about 1955, and then they switched to the script logo."
Sorry, I did not know that. Thats Life
Hill

Thanks Hill, I’ll return the logo tag and maybe you can use it on a stringmaster someday. Those tags were also used on Fender Amps of that era. I appreciate your sending it to me. After much thought I’ve decided to leave this guitar just as it came from the factory. That would probably be the best thing to do anyway.<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Doug Beaumier on 08 December 2005 at 09:42 PM.]</p></FONT>

Hi Doug,

Wouldn't it be great to be able to somehow trace the history of that guitar back to it's original owner !!! I have often wondered why some guitars get so beat up and misused during their lifetime. I would think that a good musician would take care of his instrument especially if he was making a living with it. Yours is in great shape and has obviously been well taken care of.
I was just out to see Tommy cass a week ago and passed right through Northampton on the way. He did some work on my Emmons Black Rock and of course he did an excellent job on it. Besides the fact that I think that he
is the best at undercarrage work on any brand of steel he is also one of the nicest guy's I have ever met. He is now doing some work on my Dekley and when it's ready I'm going to meet him at Yankee Candle to pick it up. I may stop by your music store on the way back to say hi.
Take care,
John

John,
I know what you mean when you talk about "beat up". I sold my T-8 Stringmaster to a fellow when I decided to play pedals and after a looooooooong time the gentleman passed away and I had the opportunity to buy it back again. The guitar looked like he had played it with a claw hammer! However, I re-did the old girl and it's looking like new again.
Erv

That's a beaut all right! My '52 double 6 is still in need of a pickup assembly in case you missed my post a while back.

Doug; I think you’re doing the right thing! I wouldn’t do anything to marr that good~l©©king guitar! That’s a great looking investment and there’s nothing wrong with it just as it is! I wouldn’t ‘change’ anything that it didn’t need to be playable as intended! The only guitar that I would personally find more desireable would be one like that made of Walnut! But, that’s just my personal opinion and taste!

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“Big John” Bechtel
Burgundy D–10 Derby
’65 Re-Issue Fender Twin–Reverb Custom™ 15”
Current Equipment
Newest Steel

Nick, that's a cool photo. I like seeing guys standing up playing steel. Who is that?

What's That !!!
A bottle of beer sitting on the floor behind the guitar player
Wow !!! does that bring back memories of my Bandstand days.
John