57 Stringmaster T8

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 30 Dec 2004 6:12 pm

My baby...

Thanks to Dana Duplan for this sweetheart '56. I also have a honey of a '57 D-8 Tommy Cass sent me.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 30 Dec 2004 6:17 pm

Thanks, Doug!

Thanks, Herb!

Man, this is Stringmaster

HEAVEN!!

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 30 Dec 2004 7:05 pm

Rick, its a 24.5" ... all the tag said was 70's Stringmaster ... with pristine case.

I contacted Mr. Carver ... described it and told him $700.

My wife then went in to get it for my birthday a few years back ... and came out with it for $600.

She's tiny ... but tough as nails

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Aiello's House of Gauss


My wife and I don't think alike. She donates money to the homeless and I donate money to the topless! ... R. Dangerfield

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 30 Dec 2004 7:36 pm

She's tiny ... but tough as nails

Ah yes, that's the best kind to have! You got a sweet deal there, no doubt about it . .

.

Man, I guess I'm getting old - I'd rather look at these pics than pics of chicks!

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 30 Dec 2004 7:52 pm

Fender made Stringmasters through the 1970's and they were discontinued by 1981, according to George Gruhn's book

But I never hear anybody talking about their late '70s or '80 Stringmaster. Does that mean they cut back on production in the 70s and then just let their existing stock deplete during the last few years? If so, the late 70s (and 1980) models, being the rarest, might be . . . really valuable?

Rick, does your Stringmaster have the month and year in green marker under the front tuner pan?

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 30 Dec 2004 8:28 pm

I don't know the production numbers in the 1970's. The latest Stringmaster I've ever seen was 1976 (built in '76), according to the source/date code on the pots. I'm not sure if Fender was still writing the production date in the tuner cavity by that time. Dating by pots is not always reliable though, because sometimes Fender would buy large quantities of pots, enough to last into the next year's production of guitars.

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 1 Jan 2005 12:32 am

Ron Brennan sent these cool pics and comments:

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These are new pictures of my "55" Stringmaster D8. I got this one
a while back, where it was sitting in someone's collection for
decades.....The Legs are stored in the upper half of the case lid, which
is in fantastic shape! Also worth pointing out, are the White Fender
rubber feet on the bottom of the Legs. The push button neck selector is
a neat mechanism as well.

I bought my Ebony "59" Stringmaster D6 in 1959 , brand new from Manny's
Music in NYC. Played it on the road
from 62 to 67. It has the blade neck selector (easier to use) and the
case holds far more and all equipment is stored in the bottom half. The
D6 was my first, had it all these years .....both Steel's are 22 1/2"
scale.

I bought the Tele, new, in 1967. The Fender Concert Amp I bought, new,
in 1960.

The cover & grill cloth on the Concert Amp were redone in my dumb early
20's. The Amp is all tube and in fabulous condition. The Stringmaster
D6 was repainted at the same time from Walnut to Ebony. Otherwise, all
the equipment is in original store bought condition.

Save the Stringmasters.............I am impressed with your campaign. I
would love to see someone start a Stringmaster Preservation Club or
society..........you're on the right track,

Yeah, I get together with Ron Victoria in NJ.......he's got a beautiful
"60's" Butterscotch Stringmaster D6.......

Thank you for your help in posting, Rick, and have a Happy New Year. TX
rgds,

Ron
"55" Stringmaster D8
"59" Stringmaster D6
"67" Telecaster
"60" Concert Amp, Fender
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Thanks, Ron!

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 1 Jan 2005 12:45 am

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 1 Jan 2005 1:04 am

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 1 Jan 2005 8:00 am

Rick,
I forgot to mention that I am also restoring 1/2 of a D-8 Stringmaster. It is from 1954 according to the date in the tuner cavity. There was a fellow a while ago that had a bunch of Stringmaster parts for sale. I contacted him about the parts and he mentioned that he had the body lying around if I would want that also. I said: "SURE"! I have accumulated all the parts necessary to make a complete single neck Stringmaster including 3 original Stringmaster legs. It will be quite a guitar when I get it done.
I'm in the process or refinishing it now in Fender Blonde. I have no idea whatever happened to the other half, parted out I guess.
Erv

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 1 Jan 2005 8:17 am

Practicing my slants.....

[This message was edited by HowardR on 01 January 2005 at 08:20 AM.]

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 1 Jan 2005 9:02 am

Erv, That's what I call Saving A Stringmaster! I for one would love to see it when you get it finished.

Howard, was that on the high C's?

Hey, wait a minute - I've heard of no picks, but no bar?? Now that's a whole new slant![This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 01 January 2005 at 10:16 AM.]

Ron Brennan · Post by **Ron Brennan** » 1 Jan 2005 9:39 am

Rick,

Thank you for posting my pictures (gonna have to learn how to do that). We snapped them outback, in cold New Jersey yesterday.

But, one thing is for sure, Fender Stringmasters and equipment are always hot!!!

We are very fortunate to live in this country, especially, when you think about what's happening around the rest of the world today.......Soooo with that, Happy New Year to you and to all. TX

rgds,

Ron Brennan

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

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 1 Jan 2005 4:12 pm

I'd rather look at these pics than pics of chicks!

Thongmaster D8.....26" gams

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 2 Jan 2005 8:24 am

Those Stringmasters knock me out, always have.

Those of you who purchased your Fender Stringmasters or whatever Fender on the east coast during those years. I have to confess that is was me who received the commision.

If I were able to I would re-imburse all of you
for choosing what I always knew was the best for years to come. It was difficult to convince the music dealers back then, but you all proved I was right,at least the one time in my life.

If Mannys or Sam Ash and others are seeing this..I told you so.

Edited. There will never be another Leo Fender.[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 02 January 2005 at 08:29 AM.]

Ron Brennan · Post by **Ron Brennan** » 2 Jan 2005 10:01 am

Hi Jody,

You got it wrong, (for once), it's us who would gladly pay you a bigger commission for what you and Leo Fender & your great company did for millions of us out here.

Please know, the excellence of craftmanship in executing the production of ideas the Fender family & it's employees came up with, along with the honourable salesmanship & marketing of these incredible instruments will never be surpassed.

You guy's got it right. The legacy will continue for generations to come. All we have to do is take care of these instruments, play them and get paid for doing so. Our most important assignment is to pass the legacy on to the next generations to come.

It's an honor for me, an ordinary fellow, to comment to you, about what you guy's did...TX
rgds,
Ron E. Brennan

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"55" Stringmaster D8,"59" Stringmaster D6
"67" Telecaster,
"60"Fender Concert Amp 4-10's
[This message was edited by Ron Brennan on 02 January 2005 at 10:05 AM.]

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 2 Jan 2005 11:39 am

Those of you who purchased your Fender Stringmasters or whatever Fender on the east coast during those years. I have to confess that is was me who received the commission.

Jody, You deserve it all, and more! Hope you socked some of it away for a rainy day . .

If Mannys or Sam Ash and others are seeing this..I told you so

They never listen, they just don't get it.

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Rick Alexander
57 Fender Stringmaster T8, 69 Strat, Rickenbacker BD6
Music Man & Peavey Amps

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 2 Jan 2005 12:41 pm

Rick what did you say??

Hope you socked some of it away for a rainy day . . I did years back but since then too many rainy days in my life have depleted
the $$$. But the memories still are with me.
Recently I lost the most precious thing in my life. That was the biggest loss ever.
Ron,Thank you for your nice comments as well.
There are few originals that remember those glorious fun days at Fender. All with the exception of Bill Carson, George Fullerton & Dale Hyatt and myself can reflect on those days. And most of all the main man Donald D.Randall who was the man responsible for most of Leo FEnder's success story.

Thanks again. edited to add Save The Stringmasters,there will never be anything like it.[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 02 January 2005 at 12:51 PM.]

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 2 Jan 2005 1:47 pm

Jody, my heart goes out to you for the loss of your wife.

Rick

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 2 Jan 2005 1:49 pm

Unlike the others, these STS logos will hold still.

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 2 Jan 2005 1:56 pm

This one's for you Jody.

[This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 02 January 2005 at 01:58 PM.]

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 2 Jan 2005 2:14 pm

Jody, you must know the answer to this: Are Stringmaster legs all the same dimensions? Or in other words, will the legs from any Stringmaster fit any other Stringmaster? I'm having a set made and this question has come up . .
Rick

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 2 Jan 2005 4:15 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Hey Rick:

If you're still posting pictures, here's one of my D8
22.5. Not sure of the date of manufacture (no date
under the tuning pans) but it does have a black tolex
case.

Aloha
Bill Leff<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 2 Jan 2005 5:04 pm

Rick
All stringmaster legs should have the same leg socket thread to fit all s/m guitars. Should be no problem. Be sure that the socket thread is the same as the end screw on part on the leg.

That guitar wiil outlive all of us.

Hope this is some help to you. edited for spelling.[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 02 January 2005 at 05:36 PM.]

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 2 Jan 2005 8:52 pm

Jody, thank you - I was hoping that's what you'd say . .

I can promise you I'll do my part to make sure my Stringmasters live on long after I do.

I made you this Cool3D Logo - hope you like it.