"Heavy strings destroy '50s Stringmaster; woman goes ma

[Liz Williams]

Welcome to my nightmare. And thanks in advance for helping me out. I'm new to lap steel (former classical guitar major, with focal dystonia in fretting hand and a love for western swing).

I've got a single-neck '50s Fender Stringmaster (Technically not called that, I guess, but its got those two blendable pick-ups) on its way to me. I'm going berserk trying to understand string gauges for the C6 tuning used on the Cindy Cashdollar tapes (high to low: G E C A G E C A) She lists string gauges on her website that seem a bit heavy for old, hard-to-replace tuners (11 14 18 24 30 36 46 56). I know there are many Stringmaster players on this forum; may I please have the benefit of your experience?

[Scott Thomas]

Why not try the Herb Remington high C6 set (11-42) for sale right here through the forum:

http://www.steelguitarshopper.com/produ ... wound.html

Good luck!

[Andy Sandoval]

Hi Liz, just click on "STRINGS" up at the top of the page and then on "8 string guitar" and you'll find what your lookin for.

[Dave Mayes]

Hello Liz,

This set of string gauges look goofy to me. I think you would want to put a .022 in the lineup to handle the high A string. Also, the .046 might be a little heavy for the low A. Don't understand the intent of the low .056 ... I'd nix that one.
So...just wedge an .022 between the .018 and the .024 , drop the .056, and change the .046 to .042 or .044 and you should be fine.

Hope this doesn't confuse you as much as it confuses me.

[Bill Creller]

You can always try a few different gauges on some of the strings. Sometimes it does make a difference. The heavy bass strings do make a nice full strum sound.

[Twayn Williams]

(former classical guitar major, with focal dystonia in fretting hand and a love for western swing).

Sounds like me (except for the focal dystonia!)

For my own purposes I prefer lighter guage strings. They allow you to "push" a string into tune with the bar on some 3-string slants.

If you haven't already started using finger picks, I'd recommend Propik Finger-Tone picks. I can't stand normal finger picks and these at least allow you to still feel the string. You can play electric lap steel with your nails, but you'll want to use a thumbpick regardless to acquire the picking technique for steel guitar.

[Ron Whitfield]

Try flat wounds on the lower string/s, you might get away with lighter strings and still get an acceptable tone. Flats are a different critter, but a cool one.

[Nate Hofer]

It may also depend on the scale length, right? I'm thinking Cashdollar plays a 24.5 or 26 inch scale. Different scales may call for differing gauges perhaps.

I'm new to Stringmastering (I have a 26er on order) so I'm also exploring string gauges.

[Tom Wolverton]

Liz - If you got a single neck, then I'm pretty sure it is a 22.5" scale length. A good length to learn on. You'll be fine. I fudge string gages all the time and for me, it appears there is a lot of tolerance on what you can use. Have fun. It's the journey (not the destination) that is the best part.

[David Eastwood]

I recently installed the 'Cashdollar' gauges on my Melbert Pro - 23.25" scale length, tuning ACEGACEG low to high. I was a bit concerned about tension when I was stringing it up, but at pitch, they are really nicely balanced, and there's some real meat in the bottom end. I might actually go a tad heavier on the top next time around.

If your Stringmaster is 22.5" scale, the tension will be lower at pitch than mine - for the low A, roughly the equivalent of tuning a regular guitar's low E up to G.

For the record, this is the set I bought:

http://www.juststrings.com/jps-7650.html

[Liz Williams]

What a great array of info and support! Thank you all for the warm welcome to the world of steel playing.

I bought the C6 set from the forum (thanks to Andy for alerting me to the "strings" tab, and to Scott for the direct link.) I got a set of the Pearse strings too, as I hadn't considered the effect of scale length on string tension, although I may scuttle that .56. Am putting flatwounds in the column marked "later." Got some propiks because I was in an exploratory mood. Best of all, I feel free to experiment, which is a great gift. Discovered a neighbor, too: Dave, I'm in Alameda. I'll try and keep the noise down over here.

[Dan Schwartz]

I love the feel of those Pearse "Cashdollar" strings on my Deluxe 8 (same guitar as yours) - especially the low end.

[Liz Williams]

Can't wait for both the instrument and the strings to arrive. I'd have been too chicken to try the Cashdollar gauges without your encouragement. Tnahnk you so much.

[Tom Wolverton]

Just as a general tip. Whenever I buy an old Stringmaster, I put oil on the tuning gears before I ever re-string it. It's easy to do and usually it needs it. Here's what you do:
1. remove old strings
2. unscrew the nut partially (usually don't have to remove it all the way)
3. remove the tuner-pan assembly, turn it over and oil the gears and post. If dusty, maybe clean before you oil

(while it is out, see if you can see the date penciled in, in the tuner cavity of the guitar)

to re-install, just reverse the steps.

For oil, I use Tri-flow or White Lightning "Epic Ride", but any light oil will do (sewing machine oil, 3-in-1, etc)

Your guitar will thank you...just like the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz.

[Liz Williams]

Tom, thanks for the oil recommendations and the how-to. I'll post pics when she arrives.

[Terry Barnett]

Hey there Liz...you've been getting some excellant advice here. I have to echo Tom's mention of oiling the heads. It's an easy process. I personally use a very light grease and I've never had a problems. I don't think a 56 is too heavy especially on a shorter scale guitar, just bring it up slowly. Here's a site that might really help.
http://www.hawaiiansteel.com/learning/gauges.php
That is John ElY's website. A terrific site to visit if you're getting into Non-pedal guitar and he takes some of the mystery out of string guages. I hope it'll help....cheers

[Lee Jeffriess]

Liz, at the scale length of your guitar Cindy's gauges are fine, I personally would even go heavier.
I work in Alameda part of the month, if you ever need help give me a shout.
Lee

[Liz Williams]

My Fender stringmaster/deluxe arrived today! That's not really accurate: I hunted the Fed Ex guy down after missing him this morning and grabbed it off his truck.

Thanks to all of you, I oiled and spun the tuners until they all moved pretty freely; the bass side felt great until I got the strings on, then they tightened up util they were hard to turn, but don't seem to be harming themselves under the string tension. I've got the Cashdollar set on, which are lighter (and way cleaner) than what I took off, but feel pretty good to me. I'm playing through a Korg Pandora PX4A (yawn) into headphones and I have to say:

This is FUN.

Which means I'm definitely keeping this.

I'm including a picture of the headstock cavity with a date in blue under a lot of over-spray. I think it says 6-58. The other option is 6-66, which - though fun - would mean whoever wrote the date writes his sixes three different ways.

And, because answers are the chief cause of questions, I have some.

1. I want an amp that sounds like I'm in Hank Williams' band. Of course, it has to be small and light and take out the trash. Kidding about the last, but small is a requirement, as I live on a boat, so not much room and the neighbors are very nearby.

2. What about these funky, short legs that came with it? Do they adjust, or should I expect to play kneeling?

3. Volume pedal is in my future, I know. I've seen the Fender re-issue pedals and wonder which to favor, the volume-tone pedal or the volume (only) pedal?

Any other suggestions you have are welcome. Thank you for all your help.



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[Dave Mayes]

Hey Liz,

If the steel's case is original, then 6-58 would be a likely birth date. A 6-66 steel would have a black tolex covered case instead of the tweed.

To get that vintage sound you'll probably want a tube amp or a transistor amp that can mimic that sound. How much can you spend?

Those legs appear to be missing their clutch(?)and extentions! That's a problem.

Volume pedal? A number of choices. Again, how much do you want to spend?

You'll get a bunch of opinions on this forum!

[Liz Williams]

No clutch or extension - well that would explain the vertically challenged legs. They all came with little rubber feet on one end, which confused me. I'll probably just opt for a bongo stand and call it a day.

As for an amp, I'd like to keep it under $300.00, but am VERY swayed by how things sound. So my brain says $300 or less but my ears might say $400 or $500 before my brain freaked out and stopped them. This is a practice amp, too, not an amp for gigging. And, I'm probably not cut out for dealing with tubes.

Volume pedal I'm thinking not more than $150.00.

What ideas do you have for me?

[Dave Mayes]

Hey Liz,
I was hopeing others would chime in on these matters, as my equipment experience is fairly limited. Explore the "search" section on this forum. Your questions have probably been answered several times over in the past.
You could go amp hunting right here in the east bay!Take your steel into a few of the shops and plug it in! Thin Man Music in Alameda, Subway or Blue Note in Berkeley would be welcoming.
It's an adventure!

[Liz Williams]

Thanks for the nudge to go try some amps, Dave. I've been searching and reading quite a bit to get my questions answered, so the legs and volume pedal qs are settled, but I've got to test the amps. Pictured myself going to Guitar Center to do that, which was filling me with dread. I'd forgotten all about Thin Man and Subway. Have never been to Blue Note, so looks like I'll have a full weekend.

[Twayn Williams]

As for an amp, I'd like to keep it under $300.00, but am VERY swayed by how things sound. So my brain says $300 or less but my ears might say $400 or $500 before my brain freaked out and stopped them. This is a practice amp, too, not an amp for gigging. And, I'm probably not cut out for dealing with tubes.

Tubes are no problem to deal with. I'd recommend a used Fender Pro Junior or Blues Junior. They get a good sound that's somewhat vintage, are readily available, tend to be quite sturdy and can easily function for both practice and gigging. They're small and easy to move around.

[Brian Hunter]

Tubes are no problem to deal with. I'd recommend a used Fender Pro Junior or Blues Junior. They get a good sound that's somewhat vintage, are readily available, tend to be quite sturdy and can easily function for both practice and gigging. They're small and easy to move around.

Yes. I have a Pro Junior right here that I use at home and for practice with my band. When I ig out I crank an old Twin but for everything else this sweet little PJ does fine.