Fender Stringmaster
| Category | Strings (electric steel guitar) |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | USA |
| Classification | electric guitar |
| Wikipedia | en.wikipedia.org |
| Wikidata | Q2651714 |
Overview
The Fender Stringmaster is a multi-neck console steel guitar built by Fender from 1953 until the early 1980s. Produced in two-, three-, and four-neck versions — each neck typically holding eight strings tuned to a different chord — the Stringmaster gave a single seated player access to a variety of common steel-guitar tunings without changing instruments. It was the leading non-pedal console steel of its era and a fixture in Western swing, country, and Hawaiian music.
Origin & History
Fender introduced the Stringmaster in 1953, joining a market for high-quality console steels alongside makers including Bigsby, Magnatone, and Sho-Bud. Production continued for nearly three decades, although the rise of pedal-equipped steel guitars in the late 1950s gradually diminished demand for non-pedal consoles. The instrument was offered in several finishes and with various electronics, and its ash bodies, dual-pickup necks, and chrome legs gave the line its instantly recognisable mid-century industrial look.
How It’s Played
The Stringmaster is played seated, with the instrument resting on its detachable legs. The player presses a metal tone bar against the strings of one neck while picking with steel fingerpicks and a thumbpick on the right hand. Switching tunings is accomplished by changing necks rather than by pedals, so the player must plan arrangements around the tuning available on each neck. Volume and tone controls are shared across the necks, with neck selection by panel switch.
Cultural Significance
The Stringmaster was central to Western swing and 1950s country music, particularly in groups led by Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, and it appeared widely in Hawaiian-influenced popular music of the era. Although pedal steels later dominated country, the Stringmaster survives as the standard reference instrument for non-pedal steel playing and is regularly used today in retro country, Western swing, and Hawaiian music revival.
Related Instruments
- – the smaller, single-neck cousin
- – the pedal-equipped successor in country music
- – earlier amplified-steel concept
- – contemporary Fender solid-body with country roots
- – broader steel-guitar family
Frequently Asked Questions
How many necks does a Stringmaster have?
Two, three, or four, depending on model.
How many strings per neck?
Eight on most production models.
Does it have pedals?
No — it is a non-pedal console steel.