4 models of Fender steels, compared

[Ethan Shaw]

I recently bought a Fender Custom Triple, and before I sold my 2000 I had an idea to make an apples-to-apples comparison of four different types and eras of Fender steel guitars. I plugged the Triple (like a Dual Pro), a Stringmaster, a 1000 and the 2000 into the same amp with no effects and the same settings so you can really hear a direct comparison. I personally find videos like that pretty interesting, and I was interested to hear the comparison myself. I hope y'all enjoy it, too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxroNT8G4FU

[Will Houston]

Nice video, didn't know much about the 1000 and 2000, are they also known as the 400 and 800, still a little cornfused on that. I had a 52 dual pro and of course wish I still had it. Thanks for posting.

[Michael Conway]

Cool video, Ethan!

Will, the 1000 and 2000 are double neck versions of the 400 and 800, respectively. The 1000 is a D8, and the 2000 a D10.

[Will Houston]

Thanks Michael, that was easily cleared up.

[Ethan Shaw]

Thanks for watching, y'all!

[Bob Carlucci]

Very cool vid Brother Ethan!.. No doubt the triple had the best tone to my ears,, classic old school Fender. Actually I liked the 1000 a bit better than the Dual 8, can't say why I just did.. The 2000 was my least favorite.. I had a 400 [newer short scale], and 3 800 guitars.. They sounded very cool, unmistakably Fender, but there is NO doubt in my mind, the older short scale 1 up and down changer Fender cable steels, were simply better sounding guitars.. The shorter scale, Jaguar style pickup, and more modern knife edge changer changed the tone..Not a bad sound by any means, but I dunno, just not the same.. The more modern 2 up 2 down cable/knife edge setup was really good, my 800 guitars played as well as anything made at the time, and really could compete well with a modern pedal steel. However, the older long scale guitars with the Jazzmaster pickup and more "primitive" string breaker changer, sounded better, at least to my ears.. I have a 10 year old YT video on one of my 800 guitars on YT that you might like, just type in Fender 800 pedal steel, and forumite Dave Zirbel has a bunch of Fender steel vids up as well.. I like all your videos my friend, keep them coming! bob

[Michael Lester]

Very enjoyable.Thanks!

[Brad Bechtel]

That was very entertaining. Thanks for sharing!

[Ethan Shaw]

Thanks for watching, y'all! I appreciate it! Bob, I like the sound of the early 1000's better, too. I just wish I could still find strings that wouldn't break when you bend up to the high A!

[Bob Carlucci]

Ethan... You might want to keep your copedent, and tune down a full step to D9.. You'll never break another string... bob

[Larry Dering]

I remember Speedy West telling a player to tune down to D to eliminate breaking strings.