If You Had to Choose Gibson or Fender

Robert Jackson · From: Pennsylvania, USA

Gibson Console Grande (short scale) or Fender Stringmaster (Long Scale) both Vintage 50s era

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

I think it depends on the sound you're looking for.
The Gibson would sound more mellow than the Fender.
Leo was after treble.
Erv

James Hartman · From: Pennsylvania, USA

The Gibson for me. Stringmasters sound good in some players' hands, but when I play one I never entirely like the way it sounds/feels, no matter what amp - too "thin".

If the choices included an older Fender Deluxe with trapezoid pickup, I might choose that.

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

_________________
www.JimCohen.com
www.RonstadtRevue.com
www.BeatsWalkin.com

Brooks Montgomery · From: Idaho, USA

See what happened Jim? The puzzles moved the jokes up to the 'steel without pedals' section. Not that there's anything wrong with that.... Laughing

_________________
A banjo, like a pet monkey, seems like a good idea at first.

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

Brooks Montgomery · From: Idaho, USA

woof.
_________________
A banjo, like a pet monkey, seems like a good idea at first.

Jack Hanson · From: San Luis Valley, USA

If someone was going to give me that choice, I would accept the Stringmaster, sell it, and buy two Console Grandes.

Mark Eaton · Posted 3 Jan 2018 11:30 am

Cool short video below (click on it, Robert Jackson - it's only a minute and 16 seconds!) of Basil Henriques demonstrating the tone controls on a Stringmaster.

Obviously the amp plays a major part, but he gets some phat tone - it's not all trebly and twangy.

Were I in the market, I'd go Stringmaster.

But the short scale (Gibson) vs. long scale (Fender) question in Robert's original post adds another wrinkle to the matter. I'd still go with the Fender.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxnyVAlTu2w
_________________
Mark

Brooks Montgomery · From: Idaho, USA

Since I have a Gibson Console Grande (short scale), I want the Stringmaster. Forbidden fruit.
_________________
A banjo, like a pet monkey, seems like a good idea at first.

Scott Duckworth · From: Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies

I'll be the odd man out.. D8 Carvin... when I get the money to buy one!
_________________
Amateur Radio Operator NA4IT (Extra)
http://www.qsl.net/na4it

I may, in fact, be nuts. However, I am screwed onto the right bolt... Jesus!

Andy Henriksen · From: Michigan, USA

I love my SM and have never played a CG, so I couldn't say that I'd make the trade. But if I somehow came into a console grande's worth of money that I was forced to spend on myself, I am pretty sure that's exactly what I'd spend it on.

I think they are quite possibly the classiest looking consoles and some of my very favorite steel playing was done on CGs. Someday...

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

Jerry Byrd didn't do too bad on a Rickenbacker.
This is, supposedly, one of his most favorite instruments:

Bill Groner · From: QUAKERTOWN, PA

Nic Neufeld · From: Kansas City, Missouri

I have a Stringmaster (my first console) and sometimes I regret getting one with medium scale (24.5) as I found out the lap steel I've been playing has a somewhat ridiculous 20.5" scale length, so its hard for me to jump on the Stringmaster without a lot of adjustment in my playing. I do love the tone, if not my playing. Both pickups on in series, amp dialed back with a lot of warmth and tamed treble, a bit of tube, it sounds great for what I want it for. Most of the music I want to emulate was done on Fenders or Magnatones, so it probably was a good choice for me in the long run. Gibson CGs are beautiful and as a rule with fretted guitars, I'm a Gibson-with-P90 type guy. Rickenbackers also have a bit of a hold on me. There's a D8 on Reverb that was listed just after I bought my triple SM...while on the merits I've convinced myself I still chose the right one, there was some lingering regret, that Rick looked like a fantastic instrument...

Maybe I need to adapt a wistful Hawaiian ballad of lost love for a missed steel guitar purchase...

Mick Hearn · From: United Kingdom

I have no experience of either but I would not part with my National D8's. Tone is a very personal thing although it is true to say some guitars will give you what you are looking for a lot easier than others. George B could not get a sweet tone from a National, and if the copy Fender I have is anything to go by I would not get a Fender. I had to hunt around and try different settings for the National and think I have found it. In National number 2 I did a modification which increased the sustain so now getting used to that. Increase in sustain helps you get those fast runs easier.

I will stick with what I have got. I have a Rickenbacker 510 but don't really like it.
_________________
ShoBud 6139, Remington Steelmaster D8, National D8 Console x 2, George Boards Lap Steel, National New Yorker.

Brad Davis · From: Texas, USA

Why choose? Get both!!!!!

I found a 54 Console Grande first, and now have a long scale Fender quad. I love them both. I do really enjoy the longer scale, but love the sound and string spacing of the Gibson.

The GCG's are a little bit easier to come by in decent condition. Hold out for something with a case, legs, body in good condition and fretboards that aren't cracked.

Stringmasters are fewer, and more expensive, but still regularly available.

G Strout · From: Carabelle, Florida

I would take the Gibson. Never have been comfortable with a Stringmaster. Just not the sound that I prefer
gary

Stephen Cowell · From: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Play both guitars before you decide... in my experience the Fender is the more robust guitar... the legs etc are just stronger and more stable, and it will take a beating and keep on playing. Also, the desirable Gibson is the rare one with the oval pickups... the rectangular ones don't sound as good to me.
_________________
New FB Page: Lap Steel Licks And Stuff: https://www.facebook.com/groups/195394851800329

Bill Sinclair · From: Waynesboro, PA, USA

I think a Stringmaster is/was the industry standard for a reliable, portable and versatile console. I love mine. It even has quite a bit of "stage presence". It's a great workhorse. I do think a Gibson console with a nicely figured maple top is a true thing of beauty and would love to have one of those too. I probably wouldn't gig with it as much though.

Forum Index > Steel Without Pedals		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic