The Steel Guitar Forum

I've been looking for a single-neck Deluxe (with the trapezoid pickup) as a lighter-weight alternative to my Dual Professional. No luck so far.

I have seen a few Stringmasters and some of the other Fender lap steels from the late '50's. Can anyone who's used these comment on how they sound? And, if you've played a Dual (or triple) Professional, how different do they sound?

Thanks,

Myles

I'm no expert on Fender steels, but I've had a D8 Stringmaster, and a D8 Dual professional, and the Stringmaster seems to have more presence that the Dual pro.
The so-called "scooped" sound of Fenders and Fender amps,didn't do anything for me, so I sold them,except for a 100 watt Vibrosonic Reverb that I need to unload !!

Thanks, Bill.

I think it would be hard to beat this sound. Fender single neck 8 string.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZ9_ktu ... 6vgJA&t=0s

Although many pictures show a Stringmaster with the Farina brothers, the sound on the recording of 'Sleepwalk' is definitely a trapezoid pickup. The SM's tend to have a darker tone (unless you dial back the humbucking, not recommended), whereas the trap pickup gives that strong 'bite' or 'zip', kinda like a horseshoe.

I've got a 1955 Deluxe 8 that I am thinking of parting with. I've had a Stringmaster too. The Deluxe is a bit brighter than the SM I had.

That video that Norm posted, has the Fender sound, to my ears, but it's a nice tone !

I am not an authority on Fender steels but at least have owned and played both a D-8 Stringmaster and a D-8 Professional with trapezoid pickups (my current guitar).
The Stringmaster had a brighter sound, more presence is a good description, and some added sound variety due to the blend control of the dual-coil pickups (not sure if they are really technically humbuckers, maybe someone can shed some light on this). The Dual Professional, on the other hand, sounds somewhat warmer and mostly a lot fatter, maybe a bit less brilliant than the SM, but they can scream in the higher register as well. The trapezoid pickups where the strings actually go through the magnet instead of passing above it really make for a unique sound. It is my personal preference, but of course that's a matter of taste. The body construction also makes a difference, a twin or multiple neck Stringmaster is basically several single necks bolted together whereas the Dual Professional appears more massive, even if it's made from three pieces of wood, those are tighter together which, in combination with the trapezoid pickups, makes for endless sustain. In the world of standard guitars, I would compare the Stringmaster to a Stratocaster and the Dual Professional to a Les Paul with P-90 pickups, if you know what I mean. I have no experience with single neck models but I guess the difference in pickup designs applies to them just the same.

Victor, if you’re selling that Fender deluxe, i’d be a buyer... Send me a pm?

Victor, if you’re selling that Fender deluxe, i’d be a buyer... Send me a pm?