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Topic: Beauty Has A Sister - 6 String Walnut / Quilt Maple Teardrop |
Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Posted 19 Jun 2009 9:51 am |
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Here is Beauty's sister, a sweet 6 string in black walnut and quilt maple.
Not only is she real "purdy" (thats East TN for pretty  ), but has a sweet open articulate voice.
This is the last of the Teardrops for a while. Next couple are some new models that will be a treat 
Some basic specs
25" scale
black walnut and quilt maple
figured walnut bridge and control covers
Grover tuners
carved headstock volute
pickup is a custom wound BG-Pups A4 mag BG bucker
fret and position markers are mother of pearl with aluminum bezel surounds
bone nut
hand rubbed Tru Oil finish
And some pics
.
_________________
Some misc pics of my hand crafted steels
Follow me on Facebook here |
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Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 19 Jun 2009 10:33 am
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Beautiful!! I like the volute. Leaves more wood there for less deflection of the head area.
Are you doing anything different to your jointer blades in order to plane down the figured maple without any tear outs? |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Posted 19 Jun 2009 2:51 pm
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Thanks Bill ... the volute really does help stiffen up the headstock. The added strength and minimized deflection enhances tunning stability and sustain.
I started doing it back on the 8 strings, but have been doing it on the 6's too. It takes more time to do, but I think the end result is worth the effort.
For jointing and planing the figured wood, I used sharp fresh blades and take very light cuts. Running it through the planer at a slight angle to the grain can help. Though the biggest "trick" really is reading the grain of the wood.
Even then, some pieces refuse to play nice so I'll hit it with a low angle hand plane.
_________________
Some misc pics of my hand crafted steels
Follow me on Facebook here |
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Peter Jacobs
From:
Northern Virginia
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Posted 19 Jun 2009 5:21 pm
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Tom - complimenting you is getting tedious. Every time I think you can't possibly top yourself, you do it again!
Do you hear different tones from the different combinations of wood you use, or do you think that any variations are more due to "this piece of maple vs. that piece of maple", the pickups, etc?
_________________
Peter
---------
www.splinterville.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@splinterville6278/videos |
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Ronald Smith
From:
LA (Lower Alabama), USA
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Posted 19 Jun 2009 5:53 pm Miss Maple Nut
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Tom,
My friend you have done it again! I sure hope it has the voice as my Miss Maple Nut. She can sing as good if not better than I have ever heard from any other guitar. If I was good enough I give you a sample. This will make another happy owner. I sure love mine.
Thanks for your expertise and all.
God bless uo and yours,
Ronald Smith |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Posted 20 Jun 2009 10:45 am
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Thanks Peter and Ronald
Peter ... Different woods and combinations do have an effect on tone. As well there can be variations within pieces of the same species and even from the same tree.
While I feel that pickups and electronics contribute the bulk / lions share of influence to the mix, the woods used play an important part in flavoring the end result.
Things like pick attack, note bloom / decay, frequency response, and harmonic overtones are all influenced by woods and construction methods used.
The bottom line is that an instrument is the sum of its parts. Its the careful selection and blending of these materials that can make the difference between a good and great instrument.
Ronald ... I can't tell you how happy I am that you are enjoying your new steel, that is the real reward for me.
This Beauty is definitely a sister to yours, no doubt about it. Though slightly different, they both have that sweet singing vocal quality to them.
_________________
Some misc pics of my hand crafted steels
Follow me on Facebook here |
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Stephen Abruzzo
From:
Philly, PA
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Posted 21 Jun 2009 6:10 am Re: Beauty Has A Sister - 6 String Walnut / Quilt Maple Tear
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| Tom Pettingill wrote: |
| Next couple are some new models that will be a treat |
Uh-oh, NEW stuff huh??  I feel the GAS building up already.
Beautiful work as always Tom. What tuning was she strung to? |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Rick Barnhart
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 21 Jun 2009 1:15 pm
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Go on Jim, look again. Tom's guitars are flawless beauties and they're affordable, too.
_________________
Clinesmith consoles D-8/6 5 pedal, D-8 3 pedal & A25 Frypan, Pettingill Teardrop, & P8 Deluxe. |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Stephen Abruzzo
From:
Philly, PA
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Posted 23 Jun 2009 5:55 am
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| Jim Cohen wrote: |
| I must avert my eyes, I must avert my eyes, ... my fortune cookie at dinner tonight said: A steel player and his money are soon parted. No kidding. I must avert my eyes, ... |
Jim....Tom said he will be unveiling some new models in the near future. And we all know what that means, right??......NEW EYE CANDY to drool over!! |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Steve Branscom
From:
Pacific NW
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Posted 23 Jun 2009 11:40 am
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Tom,
Beautiful work as always. The curly maple really stands out nice. I am envious of your obvious skill but not enough to spend the obvious loads of time you've spent learning the craft.
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Steve |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Posted 23 Jun 2009 3:22 pm
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Thanks Steve
If you have ever thought of building a steel of your own, you should definitely give it a try sometime. Its a lot of fun and there are several easy to do designs.
A kit or a routed ready to finish body can be a lot of fun too.
_________________
Some misc pics of my hand crafted steels
Follow me on Facebook here |
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