Shopping Advice Needed Quickly!

David Siegler · Post by **David Siegler** » 21 May 2004 8:01 pm

My local house of torment (vintage guitars) just bought the inventory of another store so they have even more guitars to lust for.

I went to look at a Stringmaster D8 today.
Stringmaster Pics
I have it on hold for $900 + tax. The salesman guessed it’s from the late 50’s.

When we plugged it in there was very little sound. The amp was cranked all the way up and we could just hear the guitar. The problem was consistent between necks and PUs so I assume it’s some sort of wiring issue. The salesman thought it could be a ground issue. I can have them work on it and the price will go up accordingly or I can take it and try to figure it out myself.

I seem to recall issues like this being addressed in the forum so I’m guessing I can locate the information with a search. I’m somewhat handy and could probably fix the problem if it’s not a big deal. Is this a deal I should be excited about? If the problem ends up being major they will take the guitar back.

While I was there I also looked at the following…

1. A Bakelite Ric that sounds great and has the strings through the body but the upper white pieces of plastic are broken where the screws hold them in place. There are also a few other pieces of white plastic missing from holes on the neck. It can be had for $600 which seems high to me. Am I correct? What model is this? Panda? Year?

Ric Bake Pics

2. A really ugly Ric but it has the horse shoe PU. I think I can have it for around $275. They will replace the tuners. Did I mention how ugly it is?

Ugly Ric Pics

Any information and/or advice is greatly appreciated... I have to let them know about the D8 tomorrow.

Thanks!!!

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 22 May 2004 4:25 am

That Bakelite is a "Wartime" B6 ... circa '40 ... That is a GREAT PRICE.

The second one a nice example of a "woody" (S100 & related models)... its in very nice shape (I don't find it ugly at all). Its price is certainly good too.

But the B6 is a "screaming deal" ... if you don't snap it up ... I know someone who would love it !!!!!!

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www.horseshoemagnets.com

Russ Young · Post by **Russ Young** » 22 May 2004 5:31 am

David:

Ignore my e-mailed comments about the Bakelite Rick ... I should have just said "Ask Rick Aiello!"

Russ Young · Post by **Russ Young** » 22 May 2004 5:37 am

Hey Dr. Rick!

Not to completely hijack David's thread, but the B-6 raises a question or two: the first Bakelite Ricks had chromed-steel decorative plates, and black- or white-painted plates became available in 1940. Did the painted plates completely replace chrome at that point? Was celluloid used instead of steel at times? (My '49 B-6 has painted steel, while this "Wartime" model has celluloid.)[This message was edited by Russ Young on 22 May 2004 at 06:46 AM.]

Bob Hickish · Post by **Bob Hickish** » 22 May 2004 5:56 am

Dave the 900 $ on the String-Master is an average price that they are going for / Its my humble opinion that you could do the repairs your self , its most likely corrosion on the switch and and the ground problem you mentioned , once your in that area it would be a good idea to change the pots , Its is easy to do this once the strings are removed .
Good luck on you hunt of the right Steel ! Its my opinion you wont go wrong with a String-Master

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 22 May 2004 6:09 am

From what I have read ... it appears that the celluloid plates were an attempt to conserve metal for the war.

The magnets on the "Wartime" are thinner also (still 1.5") but when charged ... they are stronger than their older brothers. A different "grade", apparently.

I have remagged prewars that were considerably weaker that others ... I'm talking 130 to 160 gauss (mid-gap) when saturated versus the usual 200-220 gauss.

This lends credence to the "some prewars got "that sound" and others don't" ... philosophy.

That steel trend carried on ... postwar 1.25" ,on a whole, are considerably stronger (+20 gauss on average).

This increased flux density and the decrease in applied surface area (to the strings) ... gives the postwars a sharper tone ...

As far as the plates, I do know they offered chromed plates on post wars as well as white painted. My buddy Oakley Hicks has a postwar B6 he bought new ... with chrom-ies.

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 22 May 2004 6:17 am

Hey David--the Stringmaster is a tough call because it's close to being a fair price for its condition. If it worked fine then I'd call it a very good deal.
However, my gut feeling is agreement with your assessment--there is a wiring issue that could very well be simple. I'd even lean toward the neck selector buttons having dirty/corroded contacts. It's not the pickups--all four pups aren't going to be bad. So my feeling is that this guitar is not likely to present any major mysterious surprises to yourself or your tech. It's a crap shoot since for all we know vandals went in and pulled all the copper wire out to sell for scrap. Hey, could happen. But that would be low on my list of probabilities. Seems to me you could get out, after tech work, for maybe a hair over a grand. You'd have done real good. They aren't making too many of these anymore. Prices aren't heading down.
I'd call it an 80% chance that you would be real pleased that you got yourself your very own Stringmaster. Also, I love how these guys look with original finish and miles of road on them.

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Bob posted while I was composing my post. Glad to see that we pretty much see it the same way.

[This message was edited by Jon Light on 22 May 2004 at 07:23 AM.]

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 22 May 2004 6:37 am

David,
I'll bet they would make that Stringmaster work for the price they are asking. Just make them an offer. Never pay asking price!
Just my two cents worth!
Erv

Stu Alt · Post by **Stu Alt** » 22 May 2004 6:57 am

That's a bad case of G.A.S. you got there, David. That wartime Rick looks mighty nice.

Looks like you're going to get some more old stinky guitar cases, too![This message was edited by Stu Alt on 22 May 2004 at 07:59 AM.]

David Siegler · Post by **David Siegler** » 22 May 2004 1:42 pm

Here’s the update.

They will work on the Stringmaster and if it’s not too difficult to fix offer it to me at the same price.

I passed up the Ric “woody” though it looks more like “particle board” to me.

Now for the Ric B6. Yesterday an employee told me it would be about 10% off during the sale. So today I took it to the owner and asked him the price. I showed him how one of the white plastic celluloid plates slides around because the plastic is broken where the screw holds it in. I didn’t pressure him. Just brought it up and showed him that and asked how much. He looked at the $675 tag the open cavity, the red knob and said “today you can have it for $425.” I kept my shock to myself and said “Deal!” Yow! I’m having a good day!!!

A big “THANK YOU!” to all who voiced opinions and a special thanks to Rick Aiello for saying “That is a GREAT PRICE” when I thought it would cost $600.

Here’s a new set of pictures of my new guitar: My New Ric Pics

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 22 May 2004 1:59 pm

Congratulations, David! You got a great deal on fine guitar. Sure you can replace the red knob but on the other hand, you'll never get volume & tone mixed up!

[This message was edited by Andy Volk on 22 May 2004 at 02:59 PM.]

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 22 May 2004 2:21 pm

Wait a minute David,- are you saying you got that Panda for $425??????
Oh my..........

Steinar

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www.gregertsen.com

David Siegler · Post by **David Siegler** » 22 May 2004 2:38 pm

Yes, Steinar, that's what I'm saying. Plus I didn't have to go through days of Ebay torment and shipping anxiety. As I said, I'm having a good day!

Andy, you make a good point and have me laughing. Thanks!

Chuck Fisher · Post by **Chuck Fisher** » 22 May 2004 3:00 pm

yeah man, thats a great deal. get Rick A. to remag that pup, and maybe find a plate or just glue it. Good Moanin'

CF

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 22 May 2004 4:05 pm

I just answered your email ... before looking here ..

$425 ... by far the "Steel of this Century" ...

You better go get that "Woody" ... it aint particle board ... thats just the krinkle paint ...

Some guys have all the luck

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www.horseshoemagnets.com

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 22 May 2004 4:07 pm

Oh, and that is one

red "Saucer" ...

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 23 May 2004 4:33 am

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!...............

is there? you still going for the Stringmaster or do you figure you've dealt yourself a fair weekend's worth of steel guitar? Congrats on your great fortune on the Rick.

David Siegler · Post by **David Siegler** » 23 May 2004 10:54 am

Chuck, The pup will be taking a trip to visit Dr. Rick for a remag treatment.

Rick, maybe this steel was used by the Red Cross during WWII thus the red and white knobs!

Jon, They won't be able to work on the Stringmaster this weekend so I may be done buying steels until they get to it. Thanks!

Tim Whitlock · Post by **Tim Whitlock** » 24 May 2004 4:55 am

Congrats on the Rick. Re: the Stringmaster, I had similar problems with mine and it turned out to be corrosion on the push button selector switches. A little electronic spray cleaner from Radio Shack cleaned them up pretty quickly. I just sprayed it in the input jack using the "straw" that came taped to the can. No dis-assembly required. I think this particular Stringmaster looks pretty rough. If you're still interested, I would make them a much lower bid, considering the appearance and the electronic problem.

Donald Ruetenik · Post by **Donald Ruetenik** » 24 May 2004 5:56 am

Dave, just where is this 'local house of torment (vintage guitars)'. I'd like to stop by there on my next OAR (that would be 'Oyster Aquisition Run').

Michael Johnstone · Post by **Michael Johnstone** » 24 May 2004 6:49 am

I wouldn't pay more than $600.00 out the door for a Stringmaster that ragged. -MJ-

Bill Leff · Post by **Bill Leff** » 24 May 2004 8:55 am

I agree with Michael on this.

David Siegler · Post by **David Siegler** » 24 May 2004 9:55 am

It does seem beat up to me though there are no cigarette burns on it. The legs have a bit of rust on them too. Well we'll see how it ends up. If they get it working and I'm not interested I'll let the forum folks know who to call.

David Siegler · Post by **David Siegler** » 24 May 2004 10:08 am

Again, I want to say thanks to all for the opinions offered. They have been very, very helpful!

John Bechtel · Post by **John Bechtel** » 24 May 2004 11:59 am

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