Fender Princeton Model Lap Steel Electric Guitar, c. 1946, made in Fullerton, California, brown wood finish, mahogany body, metal fretboard.
One of the earliest Fender instruments we have ever seen, this Princeton steel dates to the very first period of the Fender Electric Instrument Company, soon after the departure of "Doc" Kauffman and the changeover from the K&F partnership. These early steels are the genesis of the entire Fender operation, which was a very small struggling local concern in 1947-8 with very limited production, making all of these first instruments extremely rare.
The Princeton was the least expensive of a three-model line, but the differences in the instruments were relatively minor. The lack of a tone control and a hard-wired cord are all that separate this model from its slightly more upscale brother the Deluxe, while the top of the line "Organ Button" model had a slightly more expensive pickup and a subtly different body. All of these early steels were made of whatever woods Leo had in stock�this one appears to be mahogany with the typical very thin "waxy" finish typical of the first Fenders.
The pickup is the famous Fender "Direct String" unit, which is still considered one of the best-sounding steel pickups ever designed. The aluminum fingerboard carries roman numerals designating the positions, and headplate has the inscribed "Fender Electric instruments, Fullerton California" lightning bolt logo. Original tuners are simple non-descript openbacks probably made by Waverly. Despite its primitive appearance, this is a great-sounding, well-designed steel.
Certain elements of the design are still carried over from the earliest K&F instruments, while others persist into the 1950's with the plastic-covered Champion steel. This Princeton carries a very early serial number (#A29) and is a fascinating historical piece, playable evidence of the Birth of Fender!
Overall length is 28 3/4 in. (73 cm.), 6 3/8 in. (16.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) deep. Scale length is 22 1/2 in. (572 mm.).
Well-preserved overall; substantially original with some playwear and restoration. The pickup has been re-wound to original spec by Lindy Fralin�these pickups have a plastic sleeve inside the coil surrounding the strings and are notoriously prone to failing as they collapse. This one has been expertly restored to full functionality, preserving the original tone. The attached cord is marked "Belden" and probably dates to the 1970's.
The very thin finish has average playwear and the aluminum fingerboard has some scratching. The chrome pickup/control plate has some pitting and corrosion at the edges. The metal headplate has had some buffing, as has the chrome on the top of the pickup coil which is worn through in spots. The original owner had his name "Bobby" expertly engraved in script in this spot lending this rare Fender Steel an original personal touch. Very Good + Condition.
