FENDER Triple 8 ???

Bob Knight · Post by **Bob Knight** » 30 Apr 2000 5:16 pm

I just traded for this guitar, and would like some information, ie.
Model name, years built etc.

Thanks in advance,
Bob

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Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 30 Apr 2000 6:47 pm

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 · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 30 Apr 2000 6:52 pm

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 · Post by **Andy Alford** » 1 May 2000 3:17 am

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 · Post by **Steve Allison** » 1 May 2000 4:36 am

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 · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 1 May 2000 7:45 am

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...

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Herb's Steel Guitar Homesite

Dave Mayes · Post by **Dave Mayes** » 1 May 2000 8:18 am

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 · Post by **Mike Black** » 1 May 2000 9:54 am

Bob Knight · Post by **Bob Knight** » 1 May 2000 10:41 am

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 · Post by **Fred Layman** » 1 May 2000 6:01 pm

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 · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 1 May 2000 6:25 pm

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.
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Herb's Steel Guitar Homesite

[This message was edited by Herb Steiner on 01 May 2000 at 07:28 PM.]