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Topic: New Clinesmith Lap Steel |
Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 11 Jun 2009 6:46 pm |
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I'm playing a Clinesmith S8 Lap Steel that Todd built from walnut (and what a gorgeous piece of walnut it is) and I am just knocked out by its sound and playability. It is such a joy to play, as he meticulously set this guitar up perfectly. The tone of the guitar is, much to my surprise, very similar to the D-8 console Todd built for me, just a tad darker. But it is a very rich and brilliant sound. More to come....
I will be making a few clips of this guitar, but I'm preparing to take off for a weekend to Woodstock, where I'll be on a bill with Junior Brown at Bearsville Theater. I'm hoping to get Junior to check this one out. If not, then maybe next week when we do it again in Pennsylvania.
Anyway, have a look at this bad boy.
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Andy Sandoval
From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
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Posted 11 Jun 2009 6:54 pm
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Awesome guitar there Mike, Todd's workmanship is flawless. I'm anxious to hear what she sounds like.  BTW, what tuning do you have on it? |
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Eric Ebner
From:
Texas Republic
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Posted 11 Jun 2009 6:57 pm
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That is a tasteful and functional looking axe. Todd's a great guy and talented luthier. Junior Brown and Mike Neer... that's a show not to be missed!!!
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Tribo-Tone™ Bars |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 11 Jun 2009 7:18 pm
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I don't know if you know this, but this guitar is based on the double neck Bigsby lap steel that Joaquin Murphey played. It's very similar, although there are some differences, but aesthetically this is where the design was born. It has very similar raised graphics, as well. The aluminum face is beautifully done. The pickup is really exquisite in this guitar. This particular instrument has a removable pickup cover, but I understand Todd is making the more Bigsby-like covers.
Andy, I'm currently switching back and forth between C13, E9 and A6 at the moment. I like it in C13 with a first string E. It sounds great in E9, too.
There's no doubt about it--Todd is a master builder! For the quality and tone, these guitars are a bargain.
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Anthony Locke
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 11 Jun 2009 8:23 pm
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| that's a beauty, can't wait to hear some clips... |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 12 Jun 2009 7:04 am
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That's a beauty, Mike. I'm sure you'll get a lot of good music out of it. WE WANT AUDIO SAMPLES!!!
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Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
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Mitch Druckman
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 12 Jun 2009 8:06 am
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| That's a great looking steel. What's the scale length? |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 12 Jun 2009 8:07 am
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Jim, Saturday, 6/20 at the Honesdale Rhythm and Roots Festival. Junior Brown is the headliner. Redd Volkaert and Heybale (with Earl Poole Ball) are also playing. I'm playing with the Jack Grace Band at 10:30 AM (ugh) and 7:30 PM.
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 12 Jun 2009 8:37 am
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I'm picking up one of Todd's lap steels in late July. I will have it with my on the road with Wayne Hancock so anybody can check one out when we hit your town.
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Bob |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 12 Jun 2009 8:41 am
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| Congratulations, Mike on a great next guitar. Todd, that's just so cool! Can't wait to hear it. |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Michael Papenburg
From:
Oakland, CA
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Posted 12 Jun 2009 10:15 am
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| Wow. I love it. |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 12 Jun 2009 10:25 am
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It's hard to see because of the black background, but the headstock is not open; it's closed, solid wood with a black material visible on top, just like the Bigsbys. Maybe Todd will tell us a little more about it.
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Russ Wever
From:
Kansas City
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Posted 12 Jun 2009 3:15 pm
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Mike - What gorgeous work Todd has done -
I hope you don't mind my re-posting your
pics a little lighter. ~Russ |
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James Williamson
From:
California & Hawaii
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Posted 12 Jun 2009 4:51 pm Clinesmith lap steel
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Wow,wow,wow...thanks for the post Mike...can't wait to hear the clips......
I wonder when Todd Clinesmith will be putting this one in his official lineup for sale to us mortals? |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 13 Jun 2009 7:38 am
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James, Todd is building a few now as we type. Last time I checked I was mere mortal, too  . I believe he has a few gorgeous maple guitars in the works.
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Jim Konrad
From:
The Great Black Swamp USA
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Posted 13 Jun 2009 4:07 pm
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| That looks timeless for sure, an instant classic. I love the aluminum and wood together. |
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Ben Rubright
From:
Punta Gorda, Florida, USA
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Posted 13 Jun 2009 7:30 pm
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This is my Clinesmith....what a beauty. Be the first on your block to have one.
Mike....we spend our summers in Honesdale, PA but alas, we are not there yet. Sorry to miss you.
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D10 Emmons LeGrande SKH (rebuilt by Billy Knowles), D10 Emmons Push/Pull (setup by Billy Knowles) , SD10 Rittenberry |
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Todd Clinesmith
From:
Lone Rock Free State Oregon
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Posted 15 Jun 2009 7:29 pm
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Mike and Ben ,
I am glad you are enjoying the laps.
I am currently finishing up my first official batch of 12 lap steels, all are 8 strings and Curly Hard Rock Maple. 4 of these are spoken for . I may have the first few done tomorrow. If I do I'll post some photos. I will try to build 4 or so a month , and hope to have them in stock, if not orders can be taken. Steels with 3 legs can be made on custom order as well.
The scale length is 24 7/8. They come with a high quality American made soft shell case made by Blue Heron Case Co. The tone is incredible and I think they sound 90- 95 % as good as the console steels. The same basic theory is applied with the pickup mounted into the cast aluminum top plate which has a lot to do with the tone of the guitars. I'll be making these out of Eastern Rock Maple,Curly Eastern Rock Maple , Birds Eye Maple when I can find it in my dimensions (which has been tough), Curly Walnut, Figured Cherry, and Myrtle Wood ( California Bay Laurel).I took all the specs off of Chas Smith D-8 lap guitar and made a single neck version.
I will also be building 6 strings when the request comes in. A 10 string casting pattern has been made , and I have received the first sample from the foundry. The 10 strings should be ready to go in 2-3 months.
Thanks everybody for the comments, I am very pleased to offer these guitars.
More photos will come soon.
Todd |
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Tim Whitlock
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 18 Jun 2009 5:22 am
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| Hey Mike - Any video clips of your Clinesmith in the works? |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 18 Jun 2009 7:11 am
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| Tim Whitlock wrote: |
| Hey Mike - Any video clips of your Clinesmith in the works? |
Yes, Tim. I'm working on 2 instructional videos now, but I'll shoot a little something else later on tonight for a quick fix.
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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John McClung
From:
Olympia WA, USA
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Posted 19 Jun 2009 10:55 am
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Todd, how much are these beauties? I couldn't find info on your website.
Thanks! Gorgeous work, can't wait to hear audio samples.
_________________
E9 INSTRUCTION
▪️ If you want to have an ongoing discussion, please email me, don't use the Forum messaging which I detest! steelguitarlessons@earthlink.net |
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Todd Clinesmith
From:
Lone Rock Free State Oregon
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Posted 22 Jun 2009 6:05 pm
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Hi John,
I think it is against forum rules to post prices on new guitars. Email me and I'll get you the info. Actually if your email is posted I'll email you the info. I'll have several assembled by the end of the week, and will post some photos then.
Thanks for the comments
Todd |
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John McClung
From:
Olympia WA, USA
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Posted 22 Jun 2009 10:02 pm
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I'm saving up now, Todd!
_________________
E9 INSTRUCTION
▪️ If you want to have an ongoing discussion, please email me, don't use the Forum messaging which I detest! steelguitarlessons@earthlink.net |
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