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Topic: Black Limba / Korina and Flame Maple / My Revised Cody Model |
Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Posted 24 May 2010 9:40 am |
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This is a revised version of my Cody model inspired from / by the classic Supro design. Its a little simpler model than some of my creations, but built with all the love and sweet tone that you would expect from one of my instruments. My main goal with the Cody is to offer a more moderately priced option to fill a middle / intermediate void in my lineup. Its certainly not going to compete with the cheap imports, but thats not what a handmade Pettingill is all about anyways.
This example is in a classic 6 string, but would make a great 8 string too.
Some basic specs
22.5" scale
3/8" spacing at the nut
Black Limba / Korina body
flame maple fretboard and control cover
black walnut inlay
BG-Pups S90 pickup, a sweet sounding hand wound P90 style in a single coil size.
And a couple quick pics.
.
_________________
Some misc pics of my hand crafted steels
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Last edited by Tom Pettingill on 25 May 2010 10:20 am; edited 1 time in total |
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James Kerr
From:
Scotland, UK
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Posted 24 May 2010 12:03 pm
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A very fine instrument Tom, I keep saying I would love to hear these Guitars play and seeing this just makes me want it again.
James. |
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Paul Smith
From:
Ma
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Posted 24 May 2010 12:08 pm
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Alright Tom you know I have a special affinity for Limba wood now stop it!  Looks great Tom... I bet she sounds fantastic....
What type of bridge is on that one, I really like it
thanks,
smitty |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Posted 24 May 2010 12:32 pm
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Thanks James and Smitty
James, check out some of Smittys work to hear one, he makes that steel we built for him sing!
Smitty, its the same bridge base as we used on yours, but with an aluminum rod for a saddle. I took a piece of 1/2" rod, flattened the bottom, then drilled and taped it so it could be solidly mounted from the back side of the bridge plate. It was kind of a pain to do, but I'm happy how it worked out. Its not an original idea, but something I saw on forum member Ferdinand van den Berg's Jr model steel.
_________________
Some misc pics of my hand crafted steels
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Stephen Abruzzo
From:
Philly, PA
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Posted 24 May 2010 4:02 pm
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The Korina gives off some nice hues. Just LOVE that fretboard. UGH, I'm getting GAS pains. 
It goes without saying...that if it has a BG pup in there, she'll sing real pretty. |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Posted 25 May 2010 10:35 am
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Thanks Steve
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| It goes without saying...that if it has a BG pup in there, she'll sing real pretty. |
Bryan does build some great sounding pickups! He is a talented winder and has a great ear for tone. His gear stacks up to the very best of todays winders.
I've got an 8 string prototype he wound for me that I need to get tested. The coil / construction is similar to the old Gibson Console Grand.
_________________
Some misc pics of my hand crafted steels
Follow me on Facebook here |
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Ron Yarboro
From:
USA
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Posted 25 May 2010 7:34 pm
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Hi Tom,
That's a great looking steel. Simple, yet elegant. I love the peghead design, and how the fingerboard and control cover complement the Black Limba.
R.Y |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Jerry Gleason
From:
Eugene, Oregon, USA
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Posted 26 May 2010 10:23 am
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| Very nice, Tom. You should do an art gallery exhibit with your fine guitars. They are works of art as much as musical instruments. |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Posted 25 Jul 2010 7:07 am
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I had a request to do a 25" rockn / bluesy black limba Cody and thought I'd just add add to this thread and show her off.
The original Cody is a 22.5" scale, so I had to tweak the dimensions a bit, scaled her up, and build a new set of templates for 25".
With a vintage voiced P90 in the neck and a sweet Alnico 4 humbucker in the bridge, she goes from angelic cleans, articulate, and sparkly to wild child with an attitude and everything in between. The pickups compliment each other well and the limba is a killer body wood for them.
For this one I opted to do one of my string through set bridges and used dual concentric stacked pots so each pickup has its own independent volume and tone control. Setup like this lets you dial in each pickup just the way you like.
The Cody is not the fanciest model in my lineup, but it was never supposed to be. Its role is to be a solid platform for me to be able to offer a great sounding and great playing steel at a little more moderate price. I'm very happy with how she's working out on all fronts and am planning an 8 string version too. If there is interest, I may offer the Cody in an unfinished body only for those that like to do some work themself.
And for the fans of my over the top creations, stay tuned, I've got a sweet new style 8 sting in the works that you'll love.
And some pics
.
_________________
Some misc pics of my hand crafted steels
Follow me on Facebook here |
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Ron Yarboro
From:
USA
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Posted 25 Jul 2010 11:23 am
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Very nice Tom. I love how the flame maple compliments the Black Limba. Everything is very well executed. Those dual concentric stacked pots are really cool!. This is the first time I've ever seen them.
Is the nut glued to the fretboard? How do you get the nut to stay put without a head plate veneer, and nut slot? I'm just curious.
The owner is going to be very pleased.
Ron |
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Travis Hillis
From:
Nashville TN, USA
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Posted 25 Jul 2010 7:35 pm
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| Gorgeous guitar! |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Posted 25 Jul 2010 8:01 pm
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Thanks Ron and Travis
Ron ... I'm a sucker for figured maple, but there are lots of other combos that would look great on there, a nice rich rosewood or a chocolaty walnut would be winners too. A nice lasered board like you used on yours would look great too.
Stacked pots are very handy for those situations where you don't have the room for a bunch of individuals. They are also handy for retrofitting / modding an instrument too. In this case where I'm running two very different types of pickups, the extra controls lets me choose cap and pot values optimized for each pickup.
For the nut, I make them a bit oversize so I have a bigger / more stable footprint and use a dab of Tightbond to keep it in place. Its also important to have the bottom and face of the nut flat and true. I mark where the nut goes and take a razor sharp chisel and remove any finish under the nut, it makes for a better mating surface and gives the nut better / direct contact with the wood. Little details like that can help a guitar realize more of its potential sustain and tone. I'm of the theory that you can't add sustain or tone, but rather that you can take measures to minimize any loss.
_________________
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George Piburn
From:
The Land of Enchantment New Mexico
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Posted 26 Jul 2010 6:19 am Ya Just Gotta Love It !!
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Tom: As always you are getting better and better instruments going.
I love your dedication to the Exotic Woods, Craftsmanship.
It is a great time in history for lap steel -- your contributions deserve all of the accolades.
George MR.Boards
_________________
GeorgeBoards S8 Non Pedal Steel Guitar Instruments
Maker of One of a Kind Works of Art that play music too.
Instructional DVDs
YouTube Channel |
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Ron Yarboro
From:
USA
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Posted 26 Jul 2010 12:59 pm
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Hi Tom,
Thanks for your explanation of how you keep the nut stable.
ron |
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Judd Goldberg
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 28 Jul 2010 6:18 pm
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| I’m the lucky new owner of this beauty. If anyone is in need of a steel, it’d be hard to find a better combination of quality, value, and beautiful worksmanship than Tom puts together. He’s just great to work with. Highly recommended. |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Posted 29 Jul 2010 10:31 am
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Thanks Mr Boards, your comments are much apreciated
Ron, as you know, I'm always happy to explain and help if I can 
Judd, Thanks for the kind words and I'm thrilled you are enjoying your new steel, it was my pleasure to build her for you!!
_________________
Some misc pics of my hand crafted steels
Follow me on Facebook here |
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Ron Yarboro
From:
USA
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Posted 29 Jul 2010 1:04 pm
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Hi Judd,
Congratulations on your new acquisition, enjoy!
Ron |
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