FENDER - Johnny Ross model

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 8 Mar 2012 4:05 am

Johnny must have thot a lot of himself...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1950s-Fender-Tr ... 0440103059

Anybody know if all that was justified?

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 8 Mar 2012 7:59 am

He sure went to a lot of trouble just to screw up a perfectly good guitar.

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 8 Mar 2012 8:37 am

Have you seen his vehicle?

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 8 Mar 2012 8:44 am

He could use that Stringmaster!

Hugh Holstein · Post by **Hugh Holstein** » 8 Mar 2012 5:50 pm

I'm sure there is a clinical term to describe it. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder comes to mind.

I saw that one and thought it could probably be brought back to sanity, then I noticed that the tuner pans had obviously been drilled and tapped to bolt on those useless covers.

That's one thing I wont miss from the 70's besides Disco, and that's Space Tape!

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 8 Mar 2012 7:20 pm

'70s? That thing would have put a mirrored ball hit with strobes to shame! I can only imagine the effect if black lights and recreational pharmaceuticals were also employed while that thing was on stage.

I don't even want to think about what his hair or stage wear was like...

Hugh Holstein · Post by **Hugh Holstein** » 8 Mar 2012 7:36 pm

Recreational pharmaceuticals were probably responsible for it's "modification" in the first place.

Martin Curnan · Post by **Martin Curnan** » 8 Mar 2012 11:33 pm

After acquiring Sonny Kamahele's stringmaster I will never question why anyone would alter the apperance of the instrument. Every piece must have a history which is something I would not change.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 9 Mar 2012 12:09 am

Yeah, maybe Johnny played steel at one point in Las Vegas for Liberace.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 9 Mar 2012 3:17 am

steel players are often .... wacky!

Jon A. Ross · Post by **Jon A. Ross** » 19 Mar 2012 12:53 pm

Imagine the restraint I employed not to buy it!

Mike D · Post by **Mike D** » 19 Mar 2012 1:06 pm

Yeah, but then you'd have to change your middle initial.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 19 Mar 2012 1:12 pm

Jon A. Ross wrote:Imagine the restraint I employed not to buy it!

So far!
That thing has a wearing down effect, and you know you NEED it.

Jon A. Ross · Post by **Jon A. Ross** » 24 Mar 2012 12:07 pm

OK, so maybe I do need it! Can I get some expert opinions here? Notice how far the nut is from the tuner pan. Does anyone think these 22.5" scale "fingerboards" were added apres-manufacture? Or were all early Stringmaster carcasses built for the 26" scale, and this is how a 22.5" scale Stringmaster left the factory back then? Is there a source for replacement fingerboards in 24.5" scale? I am in negotiations for this guitar now, but this is the only thing that looks hinckey to me (well, other than the added trimmings, of course!). Experts, your expertise, please. And no laughing!!!

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 24 Mar 2012 12:14 pm

There's no telling what all the trappings are hiding, Jon, and I must say, you're a brave man! But if this belongs to anyone, it's you.
Jerry Byrd had a custom bdl. neck made with the pans extended away from the nuts, much like this one, but this example could have been extended aftermarket and be a mess underneath. Have you inquired how much alterations have been made and to what negative degree the changes have been?
Are you planning on retaining the valuable folk art aspect, or completely undoing/redoing it?

Martin Curnan · Post by **Martin Curnan** » 24 Mar 2012 12:42 pm

I dont know if it means anything but the escution pins tacking the fretboard are on the 2,5,9,14 frets where as my stringmasters are on the 3, 6, 10, 15 ect.

Carl Mesrobian · Post by **Carl Mesrobian** » 13 Apr 2012 1:57 pm

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Paul Seager · Post by **Paul Seager** » 15 Apr 2012 9:24 am

If you really buy this guitar then you owe it to the forum to post a Youtube vid, ... with yourself wearing a Nudi suit of course!

Carl Mesrobian · Post by **Carl Mesrobian** » 15 Apr 2012 12:57 pm

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Carl Mesrobian · Post by **Carl Mesrobian** » 15 Apr 2012 1:01 pm

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Carl Mesrobian · Post by **Carl Mesrobian** » 6 May 2012 6:09 pm

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Jon A. Ross · Post by **Jon A. Ross** » 6 May 2012 10:01 pm

It's baaaaaaaaaack!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/110874071014

Erik Alderink · Post by **Erik Alderink** » 7 May 2012 9:24 am

I'd buy it, if the fretboards aren't cut.
Pulling the glitz off and refinishing would be a great project.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 7 May 2012 10:03 am

Erik Alderink wrote:I'd buy it, if the fretboards aren't cut.
Pulling the glitz off and refinishing would be a great project.

I couldn't disagree more! Go get a different guitar, this one is way too unique to destroy. It deserves an owner that appreciates it the way it is.

Carl Mesrobian · Post by **Carl Mesrobian** » 7 May 2012 10:52 am

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The Steel Guitar Forum

FENDER - Johnny Ross model

FENDER - Johnny Ross model

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escution pins

Re: FENDER - Johnny Ross model