The Need For Tweed

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 18 Dec 2005 9:59 am

A real pretty 50s Stringmaster D8 with original tweed case.
Item #7375075201 on eBay
24 1/2" Scale
Very clean.

Dang - the bidding just went over 2K!

Well, there's a gorgeous walnut Custom that the seller thinks is a Stringmaster -item #7375770050

<h6>Edited by Brad Bechtel to include the links.</h6>[This message was edited by Brad Bechtel on 18 December 2005 at 10:18 AM.]

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 18 Dec 2005 10:17 am

Rick Webmaster to the Stars writes, and I quote my good buddy.

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Well, there's a gorgeous walnut Custom that the seller thinks is a Stringmaster -item #7375770050

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That Custom is beauty and no question that it is walnut. Thanks Rick

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 18 Dec 2005 10:53 am

Thanks for the linkage Brad! Some sweet Stringmaster, ain't it?

It sure is Jody. Gosh, and I don't even have a walnut Custom . .

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 18 Dec 2005 12:01 pm

Walnut YES but a refinished walnut.

I will send you a photo of my Walnut Original
Thanks Rick.[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 18 December 2005 at 12:01 PM.]

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 18 Dec 2005 4:34 pm

Man, whoever gets that Stringmaster will have one sweet axe. They'll pay a high price, but it's worth it in the long run. 50s Stringmasters are getting fewer and farther between.

That Custom looks killer too . .

[This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 19 December 2005 at 01:21 PM.]

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 18 Dec 2005 4:52 pm

No question that is a beautiful guitar.

The question I do have is this: For over $2,000 one can purchase a double neck MSA SuperSlide. For under $2,000 one can buy a double neck Remington Steelmaster (no custom paint job like Rick's). Those are just two examples of quality modern steel guitars.

If one can't afford a collection of a few (or more) nice non-pedal steels, is it smarter to put all your eggs in a collector's item, or in a brand new state-of-the-art modern guitar?

I'm talkin' about the thing being played on a regular basis, not as a conversation piece or something to be looked at and admired, and tuned up every once in a while and taken for a ride.

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Mark

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 18 Dec 2005 5:38 pm

Ooh, tough question Mark!
My 2 favorite console steels are my 57 Stringmaster T8 and my custom Remington Steelmaster T8. I wouldn't want to have to choose between them.

It's kind of like having a 57 Chevy and a brand new Caddy. Sometimes you want to take the Caddy,

and other times you just gotta cruise in that ol' 57.

<marquee>It's The Need For Tweed . .</marquee>

[This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 18 December 2005 at 05:43 PM.]

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 18 Dec 2005 5:54 pm

Then there's a third option of total refurbishment of a classic, like this killer custom Custom:

Once it looked just like the one on eBay,
but then somebody chained it to the bumper of a pickup truck and dragged it down a gravel road before lighting it on fire and throwing it in the creek.
At that point it needed some work, so Big John took over and had it restored to 110%.

[This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 18 December 2005 at 06:02 PM.]

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 18 Dec 2005 6:13 pm

That's a beauty for sure. I bought my T-8 last year for $2000 now it's a deal.

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 18 Dec 2005 6:21 pm

Okay, the Stringmaster D8 fetched $2302.
That's kind of significant, because more and more they're starting to go for more than some new T8s.
If this trend continues, more people will be buying new ones.

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 18 Dec 2005 6:27 pm

now it's a deal.

It's one heck of a deal! Just try and find another 26" scale T8 for 2K. That guitar must sound amazing Andy. Herb Remington told me that the harmonics on a 26" Stringmaster chime out if you're within 3 frets of the correct position.

Nick Reed · Post by **Nick Reed** » 18 Dec 2005 7:07 pm

Auction on ebay ended a short time ago. Man, that Stringmaster brought $2302.00. Somebody really must have wanted it bad.

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 18 Dec 2005 7:12 pm

Nick Reed · Post by **Nick Reed** » 18 Dec 2005 7:16 pm

Okay Rick,
As you noted, the price & value of these Stringmaster's keep going up every week. Not to mention, the buyer of that ebay Guitar probably got it for himself as a Christmas present. Just more reason why I think Fender needs to revisit the Stringmaster idea and do a reissue run. I really think they'd sell. [This message was edited by Nick Reed on 18 December 2005 at 07:18 PM.]

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 18 Dec 2005 7:46 pm

Nick, they don't have the materials or the know how anymore. The employees who made Stringmasters are long gone, the presses that stamped out the trays and plates are gone, they can't get that grade of swamp ash, and they would not likely use nitro-cellulose lacquer. Many people who work at present-day Fender don't even know what a Stringmaster is.

In other words, if they did try to make Stringmasters they would not really be Stringmasters. They would be a disappointment just like the FS52 Lap Steel.
That letter to Fender that I wrote last year was about Fender making replacement 4-in-line tuners for Stringmasters, and even that was out of the question for them.

So if you have a Stringmaster, hang on to it and take real good care of it. They just don't make them anymore.

Nick Reed · Post by **Nick Reed** » 18 Dec 2005 7:58 pm

Here it is Rick, what do you think?

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 18 Dec 2005 8:25 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Nick, they don't have the materials or the know how anymore. The employees who made Stringmasters are long gone, the presses that stamped out the trays and plates are gone, they can't get that grade of swamp ash, and they would not likely use nitro-cellulose lacquer. Many people who work at present-day Fender don't even know what a Stringmaster is.
In other words, if they did try to make Stringmasters they would not really be Stringmasters. They would be a disappointment just like the FS52 Lap Steel.
That letter to Fender that I wrote last year was about Fender making replacement 4-in-line tuners for Stringmasters, and even that was out of the question for them.

So if you have a Stringmaster, hang on to it and take real good care of it. They just don't make them anymore.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
This; what Rick just said, To me is the TRUTH, in my opinion also.
There are plenty of great newly made steels out there; that sound and play much better than any replica stringmaster Fender might try to put out if they ever even tried that; which they probably won't and I would highly suggest that they NEVER try it..ha.
Ricky

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 18 Dec 2005 9:06 pm

Exactly. I really hope they don't try it.
If you want a new guitar that's similar to a Stringmaster, Elva West/Tradewinds make custom steels, and he winds his own pickups. He can come as close as anyone, closer than Fender could. Like Ricky says, there are plenty of great new steels. Georgeboards, Remington Steelmasters, MSA Superslides, Aiello Dustpans to name a few.
Pick one that suits ya!
A long time ago a real smart guy said this: "The best guitar in the world is the one that you're holding in your hands"

Here it is Rick, what do you think?

It's white as snow Nick - and it looks swell under the tree!
I bet it sounds real nice.

George Rout · Post by **George Rout** » 19 Dec 2005 6:51 am

If Fender decides to market Stringmasters again, maybe they should call it, like they do souvenirs in the booths in Niagara Falls......'authentic replica'!!!!!!! Geo

Ron Brennan · Post by **Ron Brennan** » 19 Dec 2005 12:40 pm

Nick,

Fender Dreams and Stringmaster Wishes....from the world of the Rich & Famous Steel players...

Your Christmas Stringmaster, along with the others displayed on this thread are, in a word, gorgeous!!!!

I too yearn for a special issue Stringmaster from Fender, but like the "55" T-Bird or Studebaker (spelling ?) "Advanti", Duncan Yo-Yo's, etc, etc, I lament that a "Retro" , just like Ford, etc,etc, would not meet our expectations...the materials & skill sets to do a reissue are long gone....

Sooooo, we must protect and caretake the rare Stringmasters that are left. Looking at your gorgeous Stringmaster and the rest that are posted above , that is just what is happening....TX
rgds,
Ron

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JCFSGC member since 2005 "Be of Good Cheer"
"55" Stringmaster D8,"59" Stringmaster D6
"67" Telecaster,
"60"Fender Concert Amp 4-10's

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 19 Dec 2005 1:04 pm

Ron, thou speakest truly!

Erv Niehaus sent these cool pics of his Stringmasters. Here's what he says about the single neck:
The photo of the single guitar is one that I am making from 1/2 of a 1954 D8. I bought some parts off of ebay and the fellow said: "Oh, I have the body if you'd want that". Of course I took it and have assembled enough parts to make it into a complete guitar. I still have some finishing up to do on it but it should make for quite a guitar. Thanks and have a blessed CHRISTmas!
Erv

Thanks for sharing Erv![This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 19 December 2005 at 01:38 PM.]

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 19 Dec 2005 1:10 pm

That's funny, because I had a similar situation. I was buying parts and the seller offered me the body and hsc for a few $$ more.
It turned out to be the 3rd neck of a Quad.

It sounds killer!

[This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 19 December 2005 at 03:10 PM.]