The Steel Guitar Forum

Hi everyone

Could someone please tell me the difference between a Mk1 and a Mk2 stringmaster. I am in the process of restoring a fender stringmaster triple 8. I. It's a 1957 model.

Thank you
Dennis Voges

The single easiest identifier of a MkI is the absence of a balance pot under the pickup cover.
Some other MkI features:
-- black slider neck selector switches.
-- metal-plated pickup covers
-- if it is 26" scale, that was only a MkI option.

57 is likely Mk II, that's when mine was born.

If you've got 2 dots after fret 24, its short scale (22.5). 3 dots, medium scale(24.5), and 4 dots long scale (26, MkI only).

The MkI have interesting wiring that do a combination tone-cap and pickup blend with the tone knob...Basil Henriques has a video demonstrating it and I think schematics are around for it...

MkI weren't made after early-mid 1955. They started production in mid 53.

MkI were 26" long scale, with slider switches.

Later models had push button and then toggle switches, and available in 22.5" and 24" scales.

MkI pickups were loosely based on Tele pickups and had chrome metal pickup covers. Later SM pickups were a little different (more winds maybe?) and had black plastic pickup covers.

MkI had bridge cover "straps" that screwed into the guitar, where later guitars had flip-up bridge covers that reveal a blend pot. MkI had a sort of blend pot next to the volume, where later StringMasters had a proper tone control.

MkI had a different tuner pan and tuners, kind of straight sides with non-removable lollipop tuners. Later SM pans where tapered and had removable Kluson tuner sets.

I can't remember if the later models were ever available with more than 3 necks, but the MkI could be had in a massive quad configuration. I have one.

That's all from memory, I may be off slightly on a few minor particulars. Although they resemble each other and both have Fender DNA, the MkI and later StringMasters are almost different guitars IMO.

Here are some different models for comparison.

Brad Davis wrote: I can't remember if the later models were ever available with more than 3 necks, but the MkI could be had in a massive quad configuration. I have one.

Yes, Mk II was available as a quad - either 22.5" or 24.5".

Dennis Voges wrote:Hi everyone

Could someone please tell me the difference between a Mk1 and a Mk2 stringmaster. I am in the process of restoring a fender stringmaster triple 8. I. It's a 1957 model.

Thank you
Dennis Voges

Hey Dennis,

As others have said, you'll definitely have a Mk2. We can probably tell you more if you posted a picture.

One thing I'd be interested to know is whether the serial number starts with a - sign? For some reason (on steels and regular guitars) this seems to be something only ever seen on 1957 models.

Jeff Mead wrote:

Dennis Voges wrote:Hi everyone

Could someone please tell me the difference between a Mk1 and a Mk2 stringmaster. I am in the process of restoring a fender stringmaster triple 8. I. It's a 1957 model.

Thank you
Dennis Voges

Hey Dennis,

As others have said, you'll definitely have a Mk2. We can probably tell you more if you posted a picture.

One thing I'd be interested to know is whether the serial number starts with a - sign? For some reason (on steels and regular guitars) this seems to be something only ever seen on 1957 models.

Yep, my '57 Telly's serial number not only started with -2.... But it was also on the bottom of the neck plate. Pretty weird.