In the course of trying to sell my early 50s Custom T-8, I've been asked a few questions and told a few things that make me question a coupla things I though I knew about these guitars. Anyone out there know:
1.) Was the Custom ever made in anything other than short scale. If so, any ideas about when and in what quantities?
2.) Were there any long scale Stringmasters prior to the mid 50s?
I had thought that the answer to both these questions was "no" but it seems that there might have been some exceptions. Anyone out there able to fill me in? Thanks!
? Re: 50s Fender Scale Lengths
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Chris Bauer
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Jim Cohen
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Rick Collins
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Chris,
You are correct; the answers to both of your questions is no. The Customs were all 22&1/2" scale. The first Stringmasters were all, 26" scale. Later Fender changed the design and offered both, 22&1/2" and 24&1/2" scales on the later Stringmasters.
I have a book on the history of the company.
Rick
You are correct; the answers to both of your questions is no. The Customs were all 22&1/2" scale. The first Stringmasters were all, 26" scale. Later Fender changed the design and offered both, 22&1/2" and 24&1/2" scales on the later Stringmasters.
I have a book on the history of the company.
Rick
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Jon Light (deceased)
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Is that the Smith book, Rick? That's a good one.
I believe the first Stringmaster was made in '53. According to that Smith book Leo Fender liked the sustain and overall sound of that 26" neck the best but the problems of string breakage and tougher bar slants had players lobbying him to offer the shorter scales. I'm not sure of the year of the first shorter scale but it was around '55 or '56 I think. And I'm not sure when the 26" was discontinued but it was shortly after.
Here is a link to some info:
http://www.iwaynet.net/~steelgtr/stringmaster.html
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jon Light on 27 August 2000 at 03:12 PM.]</p></FONT>
I believe the first Stringmaster was made in '53. According to that Smith book Leo Fender liked the sustain and overall sound of that 26" neck the best but the problems of string breakage and tougher bar slants had players lobbying him to offer the shorter scales. I'm not sure of the year of the first shorter scale but it was around '55 or '56 I think. And I'm not sure when the 26" was discontinued but it was shortly after.
Here is a link to some info:
http://www.iwaynet.net/~steelgtr/stringmaster.html
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jon Light on 27 August 2000 at 03:12 PM.]</p></FONT>
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Rick Collins
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Jon,
The book is entitled, "Fender, The Inside Story". So far as I can ascertain, your information is just about on target.
Leo Fender was way ahead of his time on electric instrument design, from what I've read. I love the Fender sound, and I have a Dual-8 professional and a 9-pedal Fender 1000.
Rick
The book is entitled, "Fender, The Inside Story". So far as I can ascertain, your information is just about on target.
Leo Fender was way ahead of his time on electric instrument design, from what I've read. I love the Fender sound, and I have a Dual-8 professional and a 9-pedal Fender 1000.
Rick
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George Keoki Lake
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