How was the Fender Custom Triple 8 built?

[Jeffrey Cruikshank]

I'm told that the Stringmasters have two bolts running from front to back, the ends of which are covered up by the chrome diamond faceplates. Is that also true for my Custom Triple 8, circa 1952, or are those three necks just glued together? I don't want to take off the diamonds, because they're only tacked on. No problem; just curious

[Joe A. Roberts]

Good question, I’ve never seen one with the diamonds off… I thought it was interesting how the (presumably refinished) one in this vid has no diamonds:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zXmPUv-Ux ... c3RlZWw%3D

I believe Jody Carver said in an old post that those Fender diamonds were iconic even in the mid-late 40s as people were calling Noel Bogg’s Custom the “diamond guitar”.

Funny how little details can become a big part of a brands image, it kind of reminds me of the iconic “ventiports” on old Buicks, starting around the same time!

I personally like the detail of the hexagonal non-skid stuff on the undersides of pre-Stringmaster Fender steels.
I don’t know what they should be called, once saw it referred to as the “carpet” — I kind of like that. I wonder how it was applied and what material it is.
Kind of grainy and flakes off easy after 70 years though.
I guess some people would play these in their lap, mine is certainly too heavy!
‘49-52 ones are blue, mid 52-54 are tan, and it seems like some of the last production ones in perhaps late 54 to 55 are green!
The finish and woods of the late models are also more like the v2 Stringmaster (i.e. whiter blond, and the “dark” finish is actually ash under the finish instead of walnut).
Those are some tricks to roughly date these by eye.

Anyway, I’ve always assumed the Customs were just wood glued together.
I am sure someone knows for sure.

[Cody Farwell]

Good question, I’ve never seen one with the diamonds off… I thought it was interesting how the (presumably refinished) one in this vid has no diamonds:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zXmPUv-Ux ... c3RlZWw%3D

If you look closely in that video, you can see where the holes have been filled on the front of that guitar.

I believe the Dual Pros & Customs have bolts across the neck as well as glue, though I've never taken one apart.

[Jeffrey Cruikshank]

Great answers, thanks. Yes, I see Joe's filled-in holes. Also interesting: the diamonds are centered vertically on the side facing the player, but are way down low on the audience-facing side (if there were an audience), which is where Joe's filled-in holes are. That argues in favor of a bolt, rather than a decoration. Maybe someday I'll pop a plate off and see what's what.

[Andy DePaule]

There are two threaded rods running through the necks on all the doubles, triples and quads.
They have a Tightning nut and washers to hold it all together.
The diamonds are just there to hide the rods and nuts.
Think of it as 2, 3 or 4 lap steels held together.

[Jeffrey Cruikshank]

No wonder it's still tight after 70 years. Thanks to Andy, as well.

[Mike Neer]

Ask the risk of repeating myself, in my opinion these are among the finest console steels ever made.
They are a joy to play and they sound phenomenal when the pickups are healthy.