57 Stringmaster T8

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 25 Dec 2004 10:30 pm

Welcome to

Of all the steels I've played so far, this is the coolest one - huge tone, great sustain, and there's just something about the way it reflects the light . . .

Who else has a Stringmaster that is their favorite guitar?

Rick Alexander
click 4 more pics

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Rick Alexander
57 Fender Stringmaster T8, 63 Fender Stringmaster D8, 60 Fender Stringmaster T8, 57 Fender Champ, 47 National New Yorker - Music Man and Peavey Amps . .

[This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 02 January 2005 at 09:56 PM.]

Jimmie Misenheimer · Post by **Jimmie Misenheimer** » 26 Dec 2004 5:54 am

Rick - I'd "kill" for that one (well, almost"... Jimmie

Gary Boyett · Post by **Gary Boyett** » 26 Dec 2004 6:03 am

Hey Rick,
There is a reason these are sought after. I ended up buying the '56 D-8 that we had talked about. After "four hours" of cleaning, polishing, and some slight repairs I ended up getting another killer steel. The pick-ups are hot and everything works perfect now. You are right, that swamp ash has sustain like no other! I am glad you waited to buy it.

The T-8 that I had was also a wonderful steel. Todd can take it so much farther than I can and he deserved it.

I am running the Stringmaster straight into the amp with NO other effects. incredible tone, deep resonants, incredible highs.

I gotta say, I am glad I waited. I am going to hang on to this one for a long time.

"Now, Take It Away Leon! That whining guitar"

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50'sFender Dual-Pro, 56 Fender Double Stringmaster, Melobar "Red Rat" 63' Gretsch Country Gentleman, Fender TV Front & my lil Roland Micro Cube!!!

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 26 Dec 2004 6:58 am

Swamp ash... hhmmm interesting,

I had Fodera make my 6 string bass from Swamp Ash and a layer of Purple Heart wood on top,
and Vinnie F. said it sustains better and more prettily than many oft he other basses he has made.

If you play the 2nd octave G on the top C string it sustains long, but then fades into an equal level harminic smoothly.

He atribuutes this lovely resonant quality to the swamp ash.

I sure would like a T8 stringmaster... someday

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 26 Dec 2004 8:58 am

Gosh Jimmie, and I was thinking of inviting you over to check it out . .

Yep - swamp ash. When I AB'd this guitar with the 63 D8 the difference in sound was remarkable. The 57 has twice the volume and 10 times the tone - fatter mids, sweeter overtones, and way more sustain. That's not to say the 63 doesn't sound great - it surely does. When I got the 63 I thought it was all I'd ever need - until I played this one.

It's great that you got that '56, Gary - I won't even say I told you so . . . You must be in steel heaven now! Now that you got it all shined up how about posting a pic? Also, I was wondering - how does that case smell?

David, ne pas attendre longtemps mon ami - les "Stringmasters" ne devinirent pas moins chers (pretty terrible, huh?) Oh, and one more thing - they ain't gettin' any cheaper. Gary just got the last sweet deal on the planet.

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Rick Alexander
57 Fender Stringmaster T8, Rickenbacker BD6
Music Man & Peavey Amps

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 26 Dec 2004 9:31 am

A 57' Swamp Ash T-8 Stringmaster and a Panama Fedora - 2X2 Briza Weave, it don't get much better than that!

BTW, Briza's are known for having a nice continuous backweave as opposed to the Cuenca's. That could also be called "Blend Control."

Jimmie Misenheimer · Post by **Jimmie Misenheimer** » 26 Dec 2004 11:13 am

Hey Rick, I'm like "Ole Roadhog" - I'd be on my BEST behaviour... Jimmie

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 26 Dec 2004 11:31 am

Okay Jimmie, good enough - come on over!

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 26 Dec 2004 2:53 pm

"Blend Control" lol

- Good one, Howard!

Bob Hickish · Post by **Bob Hickish** » 26 Dec 2004 7:55 pm

Quote
"Who else has a Stringmaster that is their favorite guitar?"

Rick
Thats all I care to use anymore - You have
a clean looking T - my'n is a D and I have had it over 40
years and I never get tired of it - it was manufactured
in 59
BH

Gary Boyett · Post by **Gary Boyett** » 26 Dec 2004 8:16 pm

Hey Rick,
The case is SO bad I wouldn't put my mother in law in it! Actually I think I can fix it. I just need a top and a bottom, oh, and a handle... It is airing out in the shed. That should keep the mice away.

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50'sFender Dual-Pro, 56 Fender Double Stringmaster, Melobar "Red Rat" 63' Gretsch Country Gentleman, Fender TV Front & my lil Roland Micro Cube!!!

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 26 Dec 2004 8:43 pm

Bob, I know what you mean -
What neck scale is it?
What tunings do you use?
Could you post a pic of it here?
If you don't have a server, you could email me a pic and I'll do it . .
We could have a STRINGMASTERAMA!

Fractured Version of The National Anthem on The T8

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 26 Dec 2004 9:08 pm

And speaking of Stringmasters, this is the famous Walnut T8 . .

This 1960 model is the 24 1/2' scale
more pics[This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 26 December 2004 at 09:14 PM.]

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 27 Dec 2004 12:10 am

This is the 63 D8 - my first Stringmaster . .

I just plugged it in and played it for the first time in a while - it sounds really good! Better than I remember . .

more pics [This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 27 December 2004 at 01:12 AM.]

Paul Arntson · Post by **Paul Arntson** » 27 Dec 2004 3:00 am

OK you guys I can't stand it anymore. I am going to sell a bunch of pedals and amps and stuff and get one of these. AAARRRgh. I've gotta have one.
(Of course every other steel wanna be like me will think the same thing as this at the very same instant. Part of the curse of being a baby boomer. Prepare for Stringmasters to go the way of the telecaster and become so expensive that they outpace my savings strategy for ever.)

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 27 Dec 2004 7:12 am

I have a 22 1/2" scale single neck,
a 24 1/2" scale double neck,
a 26" scale triple neck,
and a 26" scale quad neck, all Stringmasters.

The quad neck is presently in the process of being restored. It was in pretty bad shape when acquired. I bought the T-8 new in 1954.
Erv

Todd Weger · Post by **Todd Weger** » 27 Dec 2004 7:28 am

Rick -- that sure is a PURTY ONE! Stringmasters are definitely sweet.

Jimmie -- how are things in Bloomington? Did I hear y'all got a little bit of snow? How's the finish on that "poly-urinate" guitar doing!?

Do you keep in touch with Ferg?

Gary -- you're too kind. Thank you. Yep, this '56 T-8 is one fine, fine guitar. It has an amazing tone, and is really fun to play.

I like both my Stringmasters for different reasons. My '60 D-8 shortscale has a tone that I like for a lot of the more up-tempo hapa-haole stuff we do. I particularly like it when playing the single note melody stuff. Easier for slants, too. The longer (24.5") scale '56 T-8 I bought from Mr. Boyett is my fave for the more slower, more lush sounding tunes like "Sand," and "Beyond The Reef." It sustains forever, too.

Stringmasters definitely have a vibe and sound all their own.

TJW

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Todd James Weger/RD/RTD
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (C6, E13, B11); 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (C6, E13); Melobar SLS lapsteel (open D); Chandler RH-4 Koa semi-hollow lapsteel (open G); Regal resonator (open D or G)

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 27 Dec 2004 9:03 am

Paul, Do it! You can always get more pedals & stuff - you may not always be able to get a Stringmaster. It's true - a 56 Tele or Strat is now astronomically unattainable.

Todd, don't worry too much about Jimmie - I think he's coming down to S. Florida for little "visit" . .

But it ain't so warm here either - it went down below 60 last night, brrr! I hope it warms up by New Year's Eve - I'm doing an outdoor show on Hollywood Beach.

Erv, is it true what they say about 26" scale Stringmasters - that the tone and sustain is incredible? What about slants on the lower frets? I sure would like to see a pic of that Quad . .

Any of you fellers who would like to share a pic of their Stringmaster(s), just email it to me rick@rickalexander.com and I'll post it right here on this thread.

I knew I should have called it STRINGMASTERAMA . .

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 27 Dec 2004 9:10 am

Here's Bob Hickish tearing it up on his '59 D8 - 24 1/2" Very nice . . Thank you Bob!

Michael Johnstone · Post by **Michael Johnstone** » 27 Dec 2004 11:31 am

I have a 95% mint 65 D-8 that I got from Blackie Taylor 10 years ago and then recently I picked up this 1956 T-8 pushbutton which was thrashed enough to justify a complete restoration. -MJ-
http://www.ridersofthepurplesage.com/

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 27 Dec 2004 1:57 pm

Rick,
I will send you some pictures when I get the quad done. At present, it is in four pieces. Some joker had painted it blue and screwed up the electronics before I got it. I have some pictures of my other Stringmasters that I will e-mail you.
Erv

Ron Brennan · Post by **Ron Brennan** » 27 Dec 2004 4:10 pm

Folk's all of the above,

Sound & Tone is the name of the game. Yet, the looks of a Stringmaster are incredibly beautiful as well. These Stringmaster steel's are workhorses. With a little care, they just keep going, going & going!! The best is the bridge tone control, how can you beat it!!! I am fortunate to have a November "55" Strngmaster pushbutton D8.

Also, I'm happy to have a Sringmaster "59" D6. Easier neck selector and I like the case with that one. What else can I say. If you got one, take great care of it for the next generation. Tx
rgds,
Ron

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"55" Stringmaster D8,"59" Stringmaster D6
"67" Telecaster,
"60"Fender Concert Amp 4-10's

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 27 Dec 2004 5:16 pm

Michael - Very cool! Do you have any more detailed pics of it?

This is Erv's '54 T8 - truly a thing of beauty!

And here are Erv's D8 and Single neck Deluxe8 with the T8 - dang!

I'm really looking forward to seeing that Quad8 when you finish the restoration, Erv!
Thanks for sharing . .[This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 27 December 2004 at 07:13 PM.]

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 27 Dec 2004 5:58 pm

If you got one, take great care of it for the next generation

Ron, you're so right. These Stringmasters have survived for half a century - and we're still playing them! Most of us won't be here 50 years from now (I'd be 108 years old!) but there's no reason these intelligently crafted instruments have to bite the dust too. My son who is now 38 is a pro guitar player - he's been playing since he was a little kid. I sent him a lap steel for Christmas and he's getting steel fever. He has been working with slide guitar and open tunings for years, so he has a lot of knowledge to draw on. There's a ray of hope for the future of Stringmasters!

So, Ron - how about emailing me a couple of pics of your Stringmasters, and I'll post them on this thread . .

And one more thing -

[This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 27 December 2004 at 06:00 PM.]

Ron Victoria · Post by **Ron Victoria** » 27 Dec 2004 6:25 pm

Rick, that must be the D-8 I sold you. FYI, the other Ron here is my playing buddy.
Ron