Extremely Rare Item Alert.

Perhaps, if not thee, original prototype 1953 Fender Quad String Master.

[Serial number reading 0531]

Fully functional and right out of Fullerton, California, it stated online that Leo Fender started and idealized the String Master line in 1953 after moving into four new locations in CA. Noel Boggs was of the first major recipients and players of the iconic String Master, but that is not where this one ends.

George Cummings was the original guitarist and a founding member of Doctor Hook and the Medicine Show, whom was the rightful owner and player of this instrument. He recently passed in 2024 and we were given the opportunity to house it in our shop and record a couple of songs and tracks with it before offering it up to who will be the next dedicated and rightful owner of this incredible piece of working history. (Personally I think something about the alloys and density of older materials plays a key role in the tone of vintage pickups and lap steels in particular.)

The legend and the lore is that Jerry Garcia borrowed this Stringmaster for a New Riders gig but George was not willing to settle on a price tag with Garcia to sell it! Multiple photos and videos of Cummings playing this are easily available upon search. Because he loved this thing for more than 50 years, there are some repair-modifications and dings and scrapes that you can imagine on a 72 year old Fender. The legs fully support the four decks and screw in, but are not 100% symmetrical. It does stand level on its own though, sturdily.

Original Hard Case with vibrant red felt. Rough shape but still the same. This is simply a museum piece and nearing the 75th year it was created.

All inquiries will be answered as quick as possible and any request of photos will be prompt for any clarification purposes you may need.