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Fender d-8 lap steel

Posted: 16 Feb 2010 11:30 am
by John Simmons
I have a Fender double neck, 8 string lap steel, no legs or places for legs, natural walnut(I think)not excellent but good condition. I have the case but it is in poor condition. Does anyone have an idea of the value. It is not sentimental and I've got too much gear. I'd like to sell it.

Fender for sale

Posted: 16 Feb 2010 11:48 am
by Jay Seibert
Please let me know when you have a price figured out. I am new to the lap steel world and have been looking for a used double-neck that I can afford. Thanks!

Posted: 16 Feb 2010 12:01 pm
by Brad Bechtel
Do you have any photos of the guitar you could share? That would certainly help determine which model you have and its potential sale price.

Posted: 16 Feb 2010 3:24 pm
by Cartwright Thompson
no legs or places for legs?
you should post a photo if you want information

Posted: 16 Feb 2010 10:49 pm
by John Bechtel
I don't know that Fender ever made a D-8 w/o Leg-Sockets, so; my guess is that it could be the 2 middle-necks of a Fender-Quad! I sure would like to see pictures!

Posted: 16 Feb 2010 11:17 pm
by Matthew Dawson
I've seen an early Roman numeral and Boxcar Dual Pro with no leg sockets. It was also a walnut finish.

Posted: 17 Feb 2010 7:39 am
by Doug Beaumier
I too have seen a couple of early Fender walnut Dual 8s without legs. Legs were optional when these guitars first came out in the late 40s.

Posted: 17 Feb 2010 9:51 am
by John Bechtel
I stand corrected! I do remember now that I have seen Dual Pros w/o legs or sockets! Sometimes my memory does lag(g) behind a bit!

Posted: 17 Feb 2010 2:26 pm
by Billy Tonnesen
Back when Leo Fender started out in a Radio Repair shop in downtown Fullerton, Ca. on Spadra Ave. later renamed Harbor Blvd. he had some kind of partner named Ray Massey who was involved in the early Amps and possibly Steels. Ray left to branch out on his own making Student Model Amps and Guitars. Maybe this was a Guitar Ray was involved with.

Posted: 17 Feb 2010 5:07 pm
by Brad Bechtel
Without a photo, we'll never know. :)

My '49 came without legs!

Posted: 17 Feb 2010 9:57 pm
by Kristian Meisling
I have a 1949 Fender Dual Professional that was lovingly restored by Bobbe Seymour at Steel Guitar Nashville. It came with the original case (striped luggage tweed, amber plastic handle), which has no place for legs, and it clearly did not have legs originally. Bobbe added legs and sockets and delivered it in a new ozite-covered plywood case with provision for legs. The guitar was originally dark brown, and Bobbe refinished it in the same color stain...but I believe that it is alder or maple not walnut. One of the pickups had to be rewound. It's a fantastic guitar...a very characteristic crystalline sound. I paid $1800 for it 5 years ago...fully restored, mind you! The achilles heel of these guitars are the tuning pans...I have had to buy pans on eBay (probably impossible now) just to pirate parts and keep 'er running. I say a prayer to the Patron Saint of Lost Causes every time I change the strings (St. Jude, in case you were wondering). The tuning pans (commonly referred to as lollipop tuners) were welded up at Leo's shop and the brass gears have a way of stripping with higher string tensions. So I would say price it fairly, because it's like an antique car...you have to LOVE it. On the other hand, it is an incredible piece of history to be treated with respect! I'll upload a picture of mine as soon as I can find the file!

Posted: 17 Feb 2010 10:19 pm
by John Bechtel
I have always been told that Fender non-pedal steels were made of only three different wood types. Walnut, Ash and Swamp Ash. :)

Posted: 18 Feb 2010 12:08 pm
by Kristian Meisling
When it comes to wood, I confess I don't know my Ash from a Walnut...I'll tell you that the guitar weighs a ton...the wood grain catches the light and has a "flamey shine" through the semi-transparent stain...which I do not associate with walnut...so it's probably ash or swamp ash.

Pic's of d-8 Fender

Posted: 8 Mar 2010 2:42 pm
by John Simmons
Sorry it took so long to post pictures!

Posted: 8 Mar 2010 7:05 pm
by Brad Bechtel
I still don't see any photos.