Lighter legs for Stringmaster?

[Gerald Ross]

I took my “new” 1962-3 Fender Dual-6 Stringmaster on the road for the first time last weekend. It has the original case and legs.

The weight!!! Not fun. Does anyone make lighter weight replacement legs?

Thanks.

JPEG image.jpeg

[Michael Kiese]

Aloha Gerald,

I'm not aware of anybody making custom light legs out of aluminum or other lighter metal than steel.

I did get some custom legs and sockets from Gary Sill at Sill Music Supply. They're very sturdy, yet heavy-ish (maybe added about 10+ pounds to the case). Just kinda goes with the territory.

A workaround is to use telescoping camera monopods as legs.

I met a steeler named Josh Gabonia at a Hawaiian event in DC who sup'd up and modded a modern el cheapo Fender single neck steel with parts bought from Amazon. He switched out the pickup and added cheap camera monopods. His steel sound was great. Real fat and authentic tone. I was marveling at how he achieved that so cheaply.

You could shop around and find some carbon fiber camera monopods and figure out how to attach them to the bottom of your steel.

Just a thought.

My personal 2¢ is that in your case with that nice Fender D8, just keep it as it is. That's as light as you'll get with a Fender D8. If weight really is that much of a problem for you, just play a single neck steel on your lap.

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-WT1 ... 9hdGY&th=1

[Erv Niehaus]

I really don't understand your need for lighter legs.

[Gerald Ross]

Cut down on the weight of the entire package.

[Michael Kiese]

Cut down on the weight of the entire package.

If you're really serious about the weight, and insist on using this D8, I'd figure out how to adapt the existing sockets with a thread conversion to monopods for cameras.

If you could buy 4 carbon fiber camera monopods, and figure out a way to adapt them to your steel, that'd be the best way to go, and it would be a non-permanent change.

It may be a rabbit hole that leads to a dead end, but when there's a will there's a way.

In any case, hope you find your solution!

Enjoy!

[Gerald Ross]

Thanks all.

[Gary Meixner]

Gerald,

This is a long shot but I think the legs and sockets for Stringmasters are the same that was used on the Fender Rhodes Piano. There is a company, Vintage Vibe, that sells replacement parts for the Fender Rhodes, they may be able to help. Check em out online. You could also try substituting just the telescoping part of the leg for aluminum while keeping the main part of the leg original. If it works that would save you a little bit on weight. Good luck.

Gary

[Michael Kiese]

My buddy Josh Gabonia got back to me.

He said "I had to modify the screw with a 1/4-20 to 3/8-16 adapter. I also had to change the hole size on the instrument itself to 3/8-16."

The Fender Rhodes legs idea is also a good lead.

From what I recall from my conversations with Gary Sill, the threading on the Fenders aren't consistent throughout the years.

It's feasible that Leo ordered his parts in batches. The manufacturers that supplied him likely retooled in-between batches.

https://www.sillmusicsupply.com

Call up Gary and maybe he could point you in the right direction. He's pretty easy to get a hold of.

All that said, you may get lucky. Please report back if you find a solution!

I still say that switching to lap steel is the most pragmatic option. There's nothing better than carrying a small and light case to a gig.

Enjoy!

[Tim Whitlock]

I bought Fender Rhodes legs to replace the missing legs on a Fender Custon T8. They are slightly longer than the original legs, so if anything they weigh a tiny bit more. Most of the weight is in the solid wood body of the guitar. I don't think you can save more than a couple of pounds by replacing the legs, even if you can find something lighter. In short, the weight is what it is. Be glad it's not a quad!

[Gerald Ross]

Thanks all. Looks like some toned biceps in the future for me.

[Jim Fogarty]

I'm going to keep an eye on this thread, as there's some good ideas. I would also suggest possibly getting a zip-up carry bag for the legs and carrying them separately.

I really don't understand your need for lighter legs.

So why bother replying??

[Michael Kiese]

I would also suggest possibly getting a zip-up carry bag for the legs and carrying them separately.

Sometimes the simplest solutions are just staring at you in the face. LMAO.

I noticed that how the weight is dispersed throughout a case can make a big difference in how heavy it "feels" despite being the same weight.

Having 2 light bags may feel lighter than one heavy bag.

I still say go with a lap steel if weight is really that much of an issue.

Enjoy!

[Chris Brooks]

I like Michael's suggestion: 2 bags! Sweetwater has Gator and other brands of keyboard bags. Search the Forum for discussion of these.

Result: Two lighter packages--and no hacking on the steel itself.

[Bill Leff]

If you know that you will always be playing sitting down, you could shorten the 4 lower leg pieces to reduce weight, resale value be damned. Probably a good idea to figure out how much that would knock off prior to putting saw to metal.

[Jerry Overstreet]

No need to hack off the inserts. I bought some 5/8 alum. inserts 12 in. long. I think they came in a pkg. of 6 for around $20.
These I used on pedal steel legs standard mic stand style 7/8 dia. legs. Not sure aout the SM leg size.

I also have some short stubs app 9 to 10 in. long that are chrome plated steel that I replaced.

I don't have a proper postage scale, but it appears the difference between the 4 chomed steel short stubs and 4 aluminum inserts appers to be about a half pound. If you would replace your full length inserts with the 12" aluminum parts, you'd probably save as much as a couple lbs, but I guess every little bit helps.

[Steve Lipsey]

FYI, Toshiyuki offers carbon fiber legs for standard pedal steel legs....I got them on my new one, and it makes a huge difference....they are essentially weightless.
So if you can make the threads work, you can order legs in any length you like, with adjusters....he has thought of making the carbon fiber leg thing a part of his new business, perhaps he could start with legs for you....
contact@shoji-workshop.com
https://www.shoji-workshop.com

legs.jpeg

[Michael Kiese]

FYI, Toshiyuki offers carbon fiber legs for standard pedal steel legs....I got them on my new one, and it makes a huge difference....they are essentially weightless.
So if you can make the threads work, you can order legs in any length you like, with adjusters....he has thought of making the carbon fiber leg thing a part of his new business, perhaps he could start with legs for you....
contact@shoji-workshop.com
https://www.shoji-workshop.com
legs.jpeg

YES!!!! This is the response I was hoping for. They EXIST!!! lol.

THANK YOU!!!

[Michael Kiese]

Mahalo Steve!

I got in contact with Toshiyuki, and he is quick to respond. Very thorough and very helpful.

I found out that his connections are the same that Gary Sill's legs are: 1/2" diameter and #13 type thread, which is handy because I just installed some of Gary's legs in a Supro I worked on for Bobby Ingano.

I even called up Sill music and talked to Gary's wife, Denise, and gave them Toshiyuki's contact information.

Thanks so much for chiming in and raising awareness of a new product!

[Toshiyuki Shoji]

Thank you, Mike and Steve.

It’s an honor if SHOJI carbon fiber legs are well received by lap steel players.