I built a Fender Stringmaster-style lap steel with a kit from Hudson Steel Guitars, and I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out!
This is cut from a single slab of cherry wood, very dense and resonant. I finished it with several coats of Tru-Oil. Everything is stock from the kit except I raised the bridge slightly with a couple of quarters (maybe crazy, but works great!). Kluson tuners. Sentell pickups. Playing through a Milkman The Amp and a Telonics single 12" the guitar sounds crisp and round with pickups blended for humbucking. Tuned to A6. I even discovered a good soft carry bag, originally made for a bow and arrow -- perfect fit! Can't stop smiling!
This will keep me busy until I find the perfect vintage Stringmaster that I know is out there somewhere.
Big shout-out to Hardin @ Hudson Steel Guitars.
New Guitar Day - Stringmaster Kit
Moderator: Brad Bechtel
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Anthony Parish
- Posts: 140
- Joined: 18 Jan 2020 10:19 am
- Location: Austin
New Guitar Day - Stringmaster Kit
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Last edited by Anthony Parish on 3 Apr 2025 8:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Joe Cook
- Posts: 858
- Joined: 29 Jul 2010 12:03 pm
- Location: Lake Osoyoos, WA
Re: New Guitar Day -- Stringmaster Kit
I built this one a few years back and play it all the time. Not as nice a finish as yours! Love my Sentell pickups as well. These Hudson kits are really great guitars. Nice job, Anthony!
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Anthony Parish
- Posts: 140
- Joined: 18 Jan 2020 10:19 am
- Location: Austin
Re: New Guitar Day -- Stringmaster Kit
Joe, that is sweet! The finish looks good. Love it!
Are your pickups wired together for all-humbucker-all-the-time?
I installed a knob to blend between single-coil bridge-only pickup and double pickups, but I tend to prefer the sound of double pickups with my current setup.
Tony
Are your pickups wired together for all-humbucker-all-the-time?
I installed a knob to blend between single-coil bridge-only pickup and double pickups, but I tend to prefer the sound of double pickups with my current setup.
Tony
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Will Houston
- Posts: 1155
- Joined: 27 Oct 1998 1:01 am
- Location: Tempe, Az
Re: New Guitar Day -- Stringmaster Kit
Nice job guys, they both look great. Anthony really nice finish job. 
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Tony Oresteen
- Posts: 839
- Joined: 8 May 2017 7:54 pm
- Location: Georgia, USA
Re: New Guitar Day -- Stringmaster Kit
Happy New Guitar Day! Looks great!
Add a second neck for a D8!!!!
Add a second neck for a D8!!!!
Tony
Newnan, GA
Too many guitars, not enough time to play
'72 Sho-Bud 6139, '71 Marlen 210
'78 Fender Stringmaster Quad black
PedalMaster D8
Newnan, GA
Too many guitars, not enough time to play
'72 Sho-Bud 6139, '71 Marlen 210
'78 Fender Stringmaster Quad black
PedalMaster D8
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Frank James Pracher
- Posts: 639
- Joined: 8 Nov 2010 7:51 am
- Location: Michigan, USA
Re: New Guitar Day -- Stringmaster Kit
Nice! Did it cost extra to get the cherry wood? I thought he mostly used poplar.
"Don't be mad honey, but I bought another one"
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Anthony Parish
- Posts: 140
- Joined: 18 Jan 2020 10:19 am
- Location: Austin
Re: New Guitar Day -- Stringmaster Kit
Nope. I had the chance to meet in person and look at a couple of bodies, including cherry and poplar. Since I was thinking about using an oil finish, and the cherry had very pretty grain, I went with that. Not sure how much stock there is. It could be that the cherry body was a 1-off. Give a call to Hudson Steel Guitars if you want to find out more (336-830-9285).Frank James Pracher wrote: 3 Apr 2025 6:03 am Nice! Did it cost extra to get the cherry wood? I thought he mostly used poplar.
p.s., I have no affiliation with the company -- just a happy customer