|
Author
|
Topic: FENDER Triple 8 ???
|
Bob Knight
Member From: Bowling Green KY
|
posted 30 April 2000 06:16 PM
profile send email edit
I just traded for this guitar, and would like some information, ie.
Model name, years built etc.Thanks in advance,
Bob
|
Ray Montee
Member From: Portland, OR, USA
|
posted 30 April 2000 07:47 PM
profile send email edit
Hi there! I had one of those little beauties many years ago. Had great pickup response and was a joy to play. My wife made me sell it when I took delivery of my 4-neck Bigsby in April, 1956. If I recall anywhere near accurately, I purchased it new in about 1950. Don't hold me to it, I believe it was a Stringmaster......but there's a good chance I'd be wrong on that issue. I'm sure you'll enjoy playing it. I wish I had mine back. |
George Keoki Lake
Member From: Edmonton, AB., Canada
|
posted 30 April 2000 07:52 PM
profile edit
Looks identical to mine, except for color. Mine is/was blonde but has mellowed into a somewhat yellow shade over the years. I bought mine new in 1954. As I recall, it is called the Custom model. It was discontinued when the longer string 'Stringmaster' models appeared with duo pickups.
FOOTNOTE: You can see the identical model to mine on Brads Page of Steel...and yes, it definitely IS the Custom model.
ANOTHER FOOTNOTE....The strings pass through the magnets in a similar fashion to the old Rick horseshoes. Stringmaster models sound fine, but this old beast has a tone which you won't find on a Stringmaster. Besides, I prefer the shorter scale.[This message was edited by George Keoki Lake on 30 April 2000 at 08:10 PM.] [This message was edited by George Keoki Lake on 01 May 2000 at 08:13 PM.] |
Andy Alford
Member From: Alabama
|
posted 01 May 2000 04:17 AM
profile send email edit
The Custom Dual and Triple are the best sounding Hawaiian steels that Fender built.You really have a GREAT guitar that has all night sustain and killer pickups.I would trade a stringmaster for your guitar if I could.You really did well. |
Steve Allison
Member From: Eatonton,Ga. U.S.A.
|
posted 01 May 2000 05:36 AM
profile send email edit
Good goin' Bob,
It's a Fender Deluxe Triple 8 made from 1950 to somewhere around 1958. ( I think )
I have the blonde double neck version made in 1951. Hopefully, if you take off the control plate on top of the guitar, you will have a piece of masking tape with the date and initials of the Fender employee that wired the guitar.(mine did) This was common in Fender's early years. The short scale guitars made by Fender before this model, had the direct response pickups that ran straight across the neck and were not angled like ours are. These did not sound as well as the ones that we have. The older style straight pickup deluxe Fender was what Don Helms played when he started with Hank Williams. Many other Pro's used these guitars and Leo Fender changed to the better pickups like we have at the pros requests for a little better and more even string response. Both of these pickups pre-date the Stringmaster style pickups by several years.
Hope this helps, Steve.[This message was edited by Steve Allison on 01 May 2000 at 05:39 AM.] [This message was edited by Steve Allison on 01 May 2000 at 05:41 AM.] |
Herb Steiner
Member From: Cedar Valley, Travis County TX
|
posted 01 May 2000 08:45 AM
profile send email edit
Terminology update, FY'sI.The single neck guitar Fender made with the Direct Contact (trapezoidal pickup) is the "Deluxe Guitar"; The double neck guitar with DC pickups is the "Dual Professional"; The triple neck version (as shown above) is the "Custom." This guitar was offered in blonde and walnut finishes. I think this one was a custom color or a repaint. The Deluxe Guitar and Dual Professional was offered in 6- or 8-string versions, while the Custom was 8-string only. The name "Deluxe Guitar" was carried over to the guitars featuring the Stringmaster pickup design (two plastic string-over pickups), while the "Dual Professional" and "Custom" designations were dedicated to those particular designs. Both the Direct Contact models and Stringmasters were made contemporaneously from 1954 to 1957. After 1957, only Stringmaster designs were manufactured. Hope this helps... ------------------
Herb's Steel Guitar Homesite |
Dave Mayes
Member From: Piedmont, Ca.
|
posted 01 May 2000 09:18 AM
profile send email edit
Hi Bob. You may also find that Custom dated inside one of the tuner - assembly cavities. If one of the pickups sounds a little "thin" on the high strings and you are sure the pickups are O.K. - check the condition of the welds in the tuner - assembly as a possible cause. Bobby Keofer still plays the beejaysus out of one of those ! |
Mike Black
Member From: New Mexico, USA
|
posted 01 May 2000 10:54 AM
profile send email edit
Bob, Is that a Fender amp logo on the front? My guess is you've got a refinished steel. The only Red steels I ever saw were owned by Leon McAuliffe. I've never seen a stock custom Color DC model. If the switch tip is original the guitar is probably a 54-55. If the case has a pocket behind the guitar for the legs it's 53 or older if the case has a pocket in the lid for the legs it's 53 -55.
As has been said the date the body was built can be found under one of the tuner pans or under the control cavity. That's assuming they were'nt covered over during the re-fin.
You can also date the pots. There's a 6 digit # on them. For ex. 304412. The 304 is the manufacturers code the 4 is the last digit from the year and the 12 would be the week of that year. So 304412 Would be a pot made by Stackpole in either 54 or 64 in late March. Of course pots get changed so this isn't always gospel.
Herbs info is right on. But I believe they discontinued the DC models in 55. I read an interview with Leo and he stated that was the best sounding PU he ever nade. For more info read "Fender, the sound heard 'round the world" by Richard Smith. The BEST Fender book ever. Also Forrest White's book "Fender, the inside story is excellent. |
Bob Knight
Member From: Bowling Green KY
|
posted 01 May 2000 11:41 AM
profile send email edit
Thanks Guys for all the help,
This guitar has definitly been refinished and is a Custom(54?). It was a blond originally. The chrome logo probably came from a later model Fender case. Other than that, it seems to be orginal and the electronics are perfect. The DC pickups have a great hawiian and jazz tone.
I prefer the sound of the Stringmaster. Thanks again 
Bob |
Fred Layman
Member From: Springfield, Missouri USA
|
posted 01 May 2000 07:01 PM
profile send email edit
Herb, can you clear up my misunderstanding? I have understood that the double-8 with the trapazoid-shaped pickup was the "Dual Custom" and the same guitar with a rectangular pickup was the "Dual Professional." I have a dual-8 with the trapazoid pickup and have seen it referred to as the "Custom." |
Herb Steiner
Member From: Cedar Valley, Travis County TX
|
posted 01 May 2000 07:25 PM
profile send email edit
Fred, I predominantly get my information from Gruhn's Guide to Vintage Guitars. I've found every Fender guitar I've ever seen in that book, and there is no "Dual Custom" listed.The original pickups on the Dual Professionals, both 6 and 8 stringers, were rectangular from their inception in 1946 until late 1948, when the trapezoidal pickups were introduced. The name of the guitar did not change, however.
------------------
Herb's Steel Guitar Homesite [This message was edited by Herb Steiner on 01 May 2000 at 07:28 PM.]
|
The Steel Guitar Forum
