My 1952 Fender Dual 8 Professional console-steel

I got this classic steel around the end of March 2004. I recently removed the magnets to have them re-gaussed by Rick Aiello, and used that opportunity to look under the tuning key pans. Written in pencil under the pan on each neck is the date 1/7/[19]52 -- the date of assembly. It was very interesting to see the original, unfaded walnut finish when the pickup assemblies were removed. Fading notwithstanding, I still think this Dual Pro is a beaut of a steel.

I not too long ago got some great information about Fender Dual Pros from Fender steel guru Jody Carver, and the following is a paraphrase of information that he shared with me regarding walnut Dual Professionals:

Evidently, from 1949 to 1954, Dual Pros were offered in two finishes -- walnut and butterscotch. They were produced, respectively, in an approximate ratio of 1 to 4, as butterscotch was by far the preferred, popular finish. If I understand correctly, the walnut steels were not finished in that color per se -- actually, the wood was walnut through and through, thus, no color-finish was applied. If the grain on the walnut Dual Pros did not meet Leo Fender's specs, the entire piece was scrapped! It was costly for Fender to manufacture walnut Dual Pros, but the ones that made the grade were perfect in grain continuity. I find this ironic, in that butterscotch was most definitely the preferred finish at that time. I personally think the walnut steels look better than the butterscotch models...