Fender Studio Deluxe Model High Steel Electric Guitar (1956), made in Fullerton, California, serial # 00372, desert sand lacquer finish, alder body, original tweed hard shell case.
This three-legged 6-string steel was a Fender mainstay for an amazingly long time, introduced at the turn of 1955-6 and staying in production through the 1970s. This is a very early example built just as the model weas being launched in early 1956, carrying serial number 00372 with pots dated to the 41th week of 1955. This high steel was intended for the more advanced students at teaching studios, still a big market for Fender in the later 1950s despite the advent of rock'n'roll.
The Studio Deluxe high steel is basically similar to a 1955 Fender Champ lap steel with added adjustable chrome legs. The slightly asymmetrical carved alder body carries a stenciled metal fingerboard plate, metal "ashtray" tuner well with 6 plastic-button Kluson tuners and a chrome plate carrying the pickup, bridge, two ribbed Tele-style knobs and the jack. The pickup is the same white plastic-covered piece as other period Fenders and the bridge is a single steel bar adjustable at each end.
A pivoting rounded chrome cover snaps down over the entire bridge assembly. The Fender logo decal is on the body, which is finished in an off-blonde "Desert Sand" hue like the '50s Duo-sonic and Music master guitars. Three telescoping chrome legs screw to the bottom of the guitar; it can also be easily played without them as a lap steel. This in a cool original 1950s Fender as well as a very good sounding six-string steel, a nice piece of the vintage Fender grail that won't break the bank.
Overall length is 31 1/4 in. (79.4 cm.), 7 1/2 in. (19 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 22 in. (559 mm.). Width of nut is 2 in. (51 mm.).
This 70 year old steel remains nicely original except for replaced plastic tuner buttons, overall a really nice example! There is some light play wear with small dings and dents to the body edges and the metal fingerboard, but overall it has not seen a lot of use. The Fender decal is clean and complete, there is some light scuffing to the chrome and the plastic pickup cover.
Internally everything is original, the pickup, pots, cap and wiring remain intact, not pilfered as many have been. The tuner buttons have been replaced, no surprise as the originals have usually shrunken up and crumbled. The white plastic feet on the legs look replaced long ago as well. It sounds great and includes the original tweed HSC with some heavier wear to the exterior but the often-missing applique thin metal Fender logo plate is still intact. Overall Excellent Condition.
