The stringmasters are considered to be one of the best steel guitars ever made. They have a unique dual pickup on each neck with a cool blending control. I got mine on eBay. I was never really happy with it and I thought mine might be a “dog”. The close neck always sounded thin and wimpy compared to the other neck and my other instruments. In addition, the highest string was noticeably quieter than the other strings which made the neck unplayable for me. Adjustments made no difference.

I found a Seymore Duncan Antiquity Stringmaster pickup on eBay and I thought I would try it. I put the pickup in and connected the wires properly according to the excellent diagram. This cured the problem of the weak first string but the neck still sounded thin and wimpy.

I was working with the blend wheel and I noticed that there was a point where the sound actually got noticeably more quiet. It occurred to me that the other pickup might be wired incorrectly and out of phase. I took all the strings off and switched the wires on the new pickup. This would have the same effect and I wouldn’t have to tamper with 60 year old wires.

That solved the problem!!! Now I have big fat tone on both necks. I may play it before Willie K at Mulligans tonight for my set. Don’t be afraid to take things apart and go for it.