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Author
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Topic: Dual Professional vs. Stringmaster - Your opinions?
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RonC
Member From: Twin Cities, MN
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posted 21 January 2000 07:39 AM
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I'm a guitarist looking to add steel guitar to my repertoire/collection and have been looking into Fender steels. I'm a Strat, Tele, Fender amp guy, so I'm pretty much set on Fender as a make.My question is, what are the differences in tone between the Dual Professional type (string through pickup) and the Stringmaster (dual single coil pickups)? And what have some of the famous players used? (I've read Don Helms used a Gibson). Any other comments or preferences? Thanks! |
billchav
Member From: Seabrook, Texas 77586 USA
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posted 22 January 2000 08:49 PM
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Ron, I still use a D8 I purchased in the early 50's. I really like the sound and the short neck makes slants easy. Herb Remington overhauled it a few years ago for me. wwwbillchaviers.com ICQ36667112------------------
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Ian McLatchie
Member From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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posted 23 January 2000 09:33 AM
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Ron - Particularly with the use of the blender control, the Tele-style pickups on the Stringmaster produce a huge tonal range; Stringmasters sound good for any type of music. The "Focused Power" trapezoidal pickups on the pre-Stringmaster are maybe not as versatile, but if you're looking for that biting western-swing sound there's nothing to compare with a Fender Deluxe,DualProfessional or Custom. I just had my Deluxe 8 re-wired (pots and wiring were showing their age), and just can't get enough of listening to the thing. As for Gibson consoles, they're also beautiful instruments (I have a 7- and 8-string Console Grande). The bass is very strong, and the sound generally a little less mid-range-heavy than the Fenders. Most people seem to prefer Fenders, but, hey, if a Gibson's good enough for Don Helms.... It's all a question of personal taste. Try as many instruments as you can before buying. |
Andy Alford
Member From: Alabama
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posted 24 January 2000 03:59 AM
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I have a Fender Custom which has three necks.I will take the trapezoidal pickups any day over a Stringmaster.The Custom Pickups are alot stronger.The sound is out of sight.Gibsons are mighty fine.They have a neat tone.I love them both. |
road runner
unregistered
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posted 24 January 2000 08:15 AM
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Don helms, turned down 20.000, for his, i have one just like it,plays and sounds great, i will take 1000.00 for mine. only because im pedal steel poor, and they keep me busy.mine is a twin 8 string,gibson,consol,case+4 legs....------------------
Don LaCourse Sr. |
Chris DeBarge
Member From: Boston, Mass
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posted 24 January 2000 10:33 AM
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Ron,
The duals sound a lot better to me, but they can be difficult to play-whenever I've tried 'em the knobs and pickups get in the way. Best if you could try some out. |
Adam
Member From: Seattle,WA
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posted 24 January 2000 06:32 PM
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I'd take the Professional over the Stringmaster anyday because of the pickup,but it seems as though Hawaiian players prefer the Stringmasters.I guess thats why they make chocolate AND vanilla. |
Carlos
unregistered
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posted 13 February 2000 06:19 PM
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This topic is very interesting. For about two years I had been looking for a Fender Dual 6 Stringmaster. I play in a Yes tribute band, and Steve Howe has made good use of his Dual 6 in several great Yes tunes.Very hard to find, and with the increase in prices for vintage staff (which is IMO not fair - collectors who can't play a note get the best equipment, leaving working musicians with not enough resources in the market) I really thought my search for a Fender steel was pointless. Here in town, surprisingly a Fender Dual 8 Professional showed up. Originally belonging to an old fellow who passed away, his grandson wanted to get rid of it. I was lucky enough to get it thanks to the intervention of my local music store. This Dual 8 is an amazing instrument. In its original case with hot red plush interior, 3 legs, horseshoe trapezoidal pickups, Fender "spaguetti" type decal logo on front, serial No. 03837. All tuners working, all chromed parts polished. Only the tone knob does not work, but I figure it can be repaired easily. In yellowish/creme color, this steel is in excellent condition. Sound: It has an unbelievable sound, extremely sweet. Comparing it against Howe's Dual 6 Stringmaster on the Yes albums, I notice not much of a difference. I would even dare to say that the Dual 8's sound has more presence and brilliance. The ending sequence from "The Gates Of Delirium" ("Soon") sounds authentically amazing on the Dual 8. I am running my Dual Professional 8 through (coincidentally) a Fender Dual Professional Custom Shop 100W, a very sweet amp which adds to the tone. Effects added are Lexicon LXP-5, Ibanez TS-9, Morley volume pedal, and 1972 EH Big Muff 2nd version (this pedal thickens considerably the sound of the Dual 8). For the purposes I play my Dual 8, I see no disadvantages at all. It is indeed a lovely musical instrument. |
Murray Cullen
Member From: Irvine, CA
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posted 13 February 2000 09:48 PM
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Me too! . . I proudly own a '52 blond Deluxe-8 C6, and a '50 walnut Deluxe-8 E13, both like new. Got them cuz they're similar to Dickie Harris's Triple, I tote 'em around so got singles. Also love the way they look, never tried a Stringmaster. I very much want a lesson from Dickie Harris, a very musical guy. |
Herb Steiner
Member From: Cedar Valley, Travis County TX
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posted 13 February 2000 10:07 PM
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Interesting thing I noticed this weekend while playing my S-8 Deluxe with the Direct Contact pickup... that's the trapezoidal one found on the Dual Pro's.When trying to play Joaquin licks in the key of G (E13 tuning) I could not get comfortably above the 17th fret without my hand getting jammed into the pickup, and I have very small hands. I think the Stringmaster is more comfortable when playing up in the higher registers. |
Mark van Allen
Member From: loganville, Ga. USA
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posted 15 February 2000 01:36 AM
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I agree with Herb about the pickups getting in your way a bit, but I'll deal with it for the sound, Fat and Juicy is the best way I can describe those string-thru pickups. I don't really know why, I've owned three triples and the Dual Pro I'm playing now sounds much better to me than any of those three (and they all sounded slightly different) Walnut vs Ash, the mass of two necks vs three, windings on the pickups, who knows? I guess every guitar has it's own charachter.------------------
Mark van Allen-"Blueground Undergrass" Mullen D-10, Fender Triple 8, Dobro |
Andy Volk
Member From: Boston, MA
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posted 15 February 2000 05:48 AM
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The direct contact "string through" pickups get my vote. I miss hearing the tone of the '52 custom I sold last year. (I don't miss carrying it around). |
Andy Alford
Member From: Alabama
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posted 26 May 2000 05:08 AM
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Dual or Stringmaster? |
Rick Collins
Member From: Claremont , CA USA
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posted 26 May 2000 07:43 AM
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Stringmaster vs. Dual 8 Professional:
The Stringmaster with the chrome covered pickups and the 26 inch scale was the best sound of any steel guitar Fender made. They are the early ones (circa '54 &'55). Looking at old pictures, Noel Boggs played one of these, also; Johnny Sibert with Carl Smith's Tunesmiths band had a 3-neck. Noel a 4-neck.
Has anyone out there ever owned one of these?Rick |
Mike Black
Member From: New Mexico, USA
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posted 26 May 2000 08:30 AM
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Heck, just buy one of each. Make your own decision and sell the other. 
After all it's a personal choice.
Like Adam said, Choc. Or Van. it's up to you.
You oughta just go to the buy and sell and buy the double neck Bigsby!
This post got me thinking we could probably get a good list of serial #'s and dates for Fender steels going on this section. I don't think theres any kind of list like that for Fender Steels?
Murray glad to hear you're still happy with both those Deluxes. [This message was edited by Mike Black on 26 May 2000 at 08:35 AM.] |
Ricky Davis
Moderator From: Austin, Texas
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posted 26 May 2000 08:08 PM
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I'll take "Chocolate". 
Ricky |
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