INSTRUCTION STRINGS CDs & TAPES LINKS MAGAZINES


Thread Closed  Topic Closed
  The Steel Guitar Forum
  No Peddlers
  57 Stringmaster T8 (Page 1)

Post New Topic  
your profile | join | preferences | help | search


This topic is 5 pages long:   1  2  3  4  5 
next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   57 Stringmaster T8
Rick Alexander
Member

From: Florida, USA

posted 25 December 2004 10:30 PM     profile   send email     edit
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

------------------
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
Member

From: Bloomington, Indiana - U. S. A.

posted 26 December 2004 05:54 AM     profile   send email     edit
Rick - I'd "kill" for that one (well, almost"... Jimmie
Gary Boyett
Member

From: Colorado

posted 26 December 2004 06:03 AM     profile   send email     edit
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"

------------------
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
Member

From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand

posted 26 December 2004 06:58 AM     profile   send email     edit
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
Member

From: Florida, USA

posted 26 December 2004 08:58 AM     profile   send email     edit
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.

------------------

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

HowardR
Member

From: N.Y.C.,N.Y.

posted 26 December 2004 09:31 AM     profile   send email     edit
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
Member

From: Bloomington, Indiana - U. S. A.

posted 26 December 2004 11:13 AM     profile   send email     edit
Hey Rick, I'm like "Ole Roadhog" - I'd be on my BEST behaviour... Jimmie
Rick Alexander
Member

From: Florida, USA

posted 26 December 2004 11:31 AM     profile   send email     edit
Okay Jimmie, good enough - come on over!
Rick Alexander
Member

From: Florida, USA

posted 26 December 2004 02:53 PM     profile   send email     edit
"Blend Control" lol - Good one, Howard!
Bob Hickish
Member

From: Port Ludlow, Washington, USA

posted 26 December 2004 07:55 PM     profile     edit
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
Member

From: Colorado

posted 26 December 2004 08:16 PM     profile   send email     edit
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.

------------------
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
Member

From: Florida, USA

posted 26 December 2004 08:43 PM     profile   send email     edit
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
Member

From: Florida, USA

posted 26 December 2004 09:08 PM     profile   send email     edit
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
Member

From: Florida, USA

posted 27 December 2004 12:10 AM     profile   send email     edit
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
Member

From: Bothell ,WA (just outside Seattle)

posted 27 December 2004 03:00 AM     profile   send email     edit
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
Member

From: Litchfield, MN, USA

posted 27 December 2004 07:12 AM     profile   send email     edit
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
Member

From: Safety Harbor, FLAUSA

posted 27 December 2004 07:28 AM     profile   send email     edit
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

------------------
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
Member

From: Florida, USA

posted 27 December 2004 09:03 AM     profile   send email     edit
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
Member

From: Florida, USA

posted 27 December 2004 09:10 AM     profile   send email     edit
Here's Bob Hickish tearing it up on his '59 D8 - 24 1/2" Very nice . . Thank you Bob!

Michael Johnstone
Member

From: Sylmar,Ca. USA

posted 27 December 2004 11:31 AM     profile   send email     edit
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
Member

From: Litchfield, MN, USA

posted 27 December 2004 01:57 PM     profile   send email     edit
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
Member

From: Edison, New Jersey, USA

posted 27 December 2004 04:10 PM     profile   send email     edit
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

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

Rick Alexander
Member

From: Florida, USA

posted 27 December 2004 05:16 PM     profile   send email     edit
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
Member

From: Florida, USA

posted 27 December 2004 05:58 PM     profile   send email     edit
quote:
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
Member

From: Metuchen, New Jersey, USA

posted 27 December 2004 06:25 PM     profile   send email     edit
Rick, that must be the D-8 I sold you. FYI, the other Ron here is my playing buddy.
Ron
Rick Alexander
Member

From: Florida, USA

posted 27 December 2004 07:04 PM     profile   send email     edit
Yes it is Ron, and a lovely Stringmaster it is.
I was just playing it and it sounds great!

Introducing the 5 neck Stringmaster:

So you and Ron Brennan play together up there in Jersey - that's pretty cool!
How about sending me a Stringmaster pic for this thread . . .

[This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 27 December 2004 at 07:05 PM.]

Rick Alexander
Member

From: Florida, USA

posted 28 December 2004 12:20 AM     profile   send email     edit
Michael Johnstone of "Riders Of The Purple Sage" sent these great pics of his Stringmasters! The descriptions are in his own words:
---------------------------------------------


Here's my 65 D-8

And my restored 56 pushbutton T-8. I rechromed all the metal parts, got a pro paint job from a guy who paints a lot of "boutique" guitars here in L.A. and believe it or not - I found a set of NOS Fender fretboards on E-Bay for $160.

The T-8 in action with The Riders. I also played this guitar on most of the new Red Simpson CD
It's got that "Banana Pudding" color I love so much on a Stringmaster.

---------------------------------------------

Wow! Thanks Mikey, those are both just beautiful! And what a cool shirt . .

[This message was edited by Rick Alexander on 28 December 2004 at 10:41 AM.]

HowardR
Member

From: N.Y.C.,N.Y.

posted 28 December 2004 05:03 AM     profile   send email     edit
I love my Stringmaster,...and yes, in the Biblical sense...

Gary Boyett
Member

From: Colorado

posted 28 December 2004 05:45 AM     profile   send email     edit
Howard, at least when this one talks back to you, you listen!

Great color!!!

David L. Donald
Member

From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand

posted 28 December 2004 07:28 AM     profile   send email     edit
Howard tsk tsk, how can you take a lady like that out in public,
and not be wearing black tie....!

Tsk tsk, and you a new yawka mensche

Erv Niehaus
Member

From: Litchfield, MN, USA

posted 28 December 2004 07:48 AM     profile   send email     edit
Rick,
Thanks so much for posting those pictures of my Stringmasters. For those who don't know, on the early Stringmasters, there is no blend control under the bridge cover. What you see is what you get!
I've always felt that the longer the scale, the longer the sustain. When I got my T-8, I didn't know that they came in different scale lengths so the 26" scale is what was delivered to me. My quad also hsd the 26" scale.
Erv

[This message was edited by Erv Niehaus on 28 December 2004 at 07:55 AM.]

Michael Johnstone
Member

From: Sylmar,Ca. USA

posted 28 December 2004 09:27 AM     profile   send email     edit
Wow! Thanks for posting those Rick but that would be the "Riders of the Purple Sage", originally formed by Foy Willing in the days of the singing cowboy movies and named after the Zane Grey novel - NOT the "New Riders of the Purple Sage",the rock band formed by Jerry Garcia in the late 60s/early 70s and later powered by one of my favorite pedal pushers,Buddy Cage. The two groups are often confused.The bands are worlds apart musically except when we do a bluegrass version of "Glendale Train" as a tip of the hat to NRPS. Love to look at all these Stringmasters! In my mind and I daresay in the minds of most,it's the last word in console steels.
-MJ-
Michael Johnstone
Member

From: Sylmar,Ca. USA

posted 28 December 2004 09:34 AM     profile   send email     edit
Also in case no one else has tried it - Stringmasters sound spectacular through the new Fender Steel King amp.
Rick Alexander
Member

From: Florida, USA

posted 28 December 2004 11:02 AM     profile   send email     edit
Howard, thank you for showing us the romantic side of Stringmaster ownership - I do believe she's blushing!


Michael - sorry about that, it's fixed now. Thanks again for the killer pics. And thanks for the Steel King comment - I've been thinking about getting one. "Spectacular" - I like the sound of that!


Erv, what year did Fender introduce the blend control?

Erv Niehaus
Member

From: Litchfield, MN, USA

posted 28 December 2004 11:40 AM     profile   send email     edit
Rick,
I'm not sure about the date for the blend control but I would guess about 1956. The progression of the Stringmaster goes something like this:
1st ones: lollypop tuners, chrome covered pickups
2nd ones: oval tuners, black covered pickups
(possibly blend control)
3rd ones: one piece chome piece on bridge and pickup end
Jody would be more definitave on the subject.
Erv

PS: I forgot to mention that there also was a difference in how the different necks were switched on. My '54 has the little black slide switches and later on they went to the push buttons. I'm not sure if they did something different after that or not.

[This message was edited by Erv Niehaus on 29 December 2004 at 02:47 PM.]

Rick Collins
Member

From: Claremont , CA USA

posted 28 December 2004 12:47 PM     profile   send email     edit
Erv, as you know I have a triple-neck Stringmaster with the 26 inch scale also. The tone control on mine seems to be a blend control also, servicing all three necks, simultainously of course.

When I tap on the pickup nearest the fretboard, with a metal finger pick, it seems to raise the intensity (volume ?) of that pickup as I rotate the tone control counter-clockwise.

Rick Collins
Claremont, CA

Rick Alexander
Member

From: Florida, USA

posted 28 December 2004 06:33 PM     profile   send email     edit
Erv, let's hope Jody is seeing this. Any input from him is always most welcome and greatly appreciated. He's THE guy when it comes to Fender stuff . .

Rick C. - how about a pic of your Stringmaster for this thread? If you email it to me I'll post it . . rick@rickalexander.com

Todd Weger
Member

From: Safety Harbor, FLAUSA

posted 29 December 2004 11:32 AM     profile   send email     edit
Here are a couple pics of me playing my '56 pushbutton T-8. The first is at a concert with my hapa-haole trio, Haole Kats!!! a few weeks ago. We warmed up for a slack key guitarist from Hawai'i by the name of Ray Sowders. He was visiting relatives, so we planned a concert a local 175 seat theater. It was a lot of fun! That's my guitarist on my URB, and the guy playing snare also plays baritone or tenor uke, when needed.

This next one is a better shot of the guitar. I'm playing with a local cat by the name of Charlie Ho. We were playing some deck luau thing. It was hot and rainy, but at least the wind was blowing the rain in on us and all our gear!

I'll see if I have any good pics of my 1960 D8.

TJW

------------------
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)

[This message was edited by Todd Weger on 29 December 2004 at 11:34 AM.]

[This message was edited by Todd Weger on 29 December 2004 at 11:50 AM.]

Gary Boyett
Member

From: Colorado

posted 29 December 2004 08:03 PM     profile   send email     edit
Great pic Todd. Now I see why you always wear a hat!!!
Jimmie Misenheimer
Member

From: Bloomington, Indiana - U. S. A.

posted 29 December 2004 08:48 PM     profile   send email     edit
T.J. That ain't them cats that you were playing with in Bloomington is it? I can't pick Omer Hutto out... Jimmie

This topic is 5 pages long:   1  2  3  4  5 

All times are Pacific (US)

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Open Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  
Hop to:

Contact Us | Catalog of Pedal Steel Music Products

Note: Messages not explicitly copyrighted are in the Public Domain.


Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.46

The greatest musical hands in the world, now on CD!
"Legends of the Incredible Lap Steel"