| Author |
Topic: My $50 Rondo modifications |
Dave Sky
From:
Columbus, Ohio, USA
|
Posted 18 Oct 2009 2:49 pm |
|
I keep coming back to playing the Rondo (or SX) lap steel over my other guitars.
Here are my mods:
Removed volume and tone controls
(my preference only, not meant as a statement of what you should do.)
Installed new Stop Tailpiece $10
(Yes it is curved but I like this better than the flat ones.)
Installed rail humbucker $30
Installed custom set of strings from the Forum (ACEGBD) $10
I have a quiet lap steel with the new bridge giving it a cleaner look.
Since these are simple mods, I thought I would post this for folks like me who should not be allowed near power tools.
 |
|
|
 |
Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
|
|
|
|
Mark Mansueto
From:
Michigan, USA
|
|
|
|
Dave Sky
From:
Columbus, Ohio, USA
|
Posted 21 Oct 2009 5:32 pm
|
|
Thanks Tom,
moving the logo is about the extent of my wood working abilities since it only involves a screwdriver.
So I can only look in amazement at your creations! I have no idea how you can create such beautiful instruments, but I sure like to look at them! Thanks for posting your lap steels. They are art!
Mark,
thanks for posting your Rondo mods. I know that I cannot do the quality work you did on yours but it inspired me to make my Rondo more user friendly. I like how you changed the headstock. |
|
|
|
Brian Henry
|
Posted 25 Sep 2010 10:01 am
|
|
HI Dave,
Great mods. I would like to do mine too. Where did you get that pickup, and does the curved bridge cause any problems. Regards, brian
_________________
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN GEORGIA |
|
|
|
Mark Mansueto
From:
Michigan, USA
|
Posted 25 Sep 2010 1:49 pm
|
|
Brian, I'll answer this while you're witing for Dave to chime in...
I believe that at least one of the Asher models uses a curved stop tail piece and I've never heard anyone complain. That said, when I changed my Rondo to a stop tail piece I found that there was enough height on the saddles to flatten the top so that's what I did. It was very easy with a file but required me to re-cut the string notches.
My Rondo's are the only electrics that i play on a regular basis and I finished modding my second one last May. The only difference between the two are the pickups.
_________________
https://markmansueto.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/65dQ3EyZC2RaqawA8gPlRy?si=dOdqc5zxSKeJI9cISVVx_A |
|
|
|
Dave Sky
From:
Columbus, Ohio, USA
|
Posted 26 Sep 2010 6:06 am
|
|
Hi Brian,
The curved stop tailpiece has caused no problems for me. When you put on strings, make sure the strings are positioned where you want them as there is no groove for the strings. The pickup is a cheap rail humbucker from Musician's Friend/Music 123 called a Musician's Gear Scorcher pickup. It is quiet. I put foam under it to get it at the right height. You may want want to check out GFS pickups @ http://store.guitarfetish.com/. Lots of folks like their pickups.
Mark, your Rondos are amazing. I love the headstocks and the pick guards add some class to the humble Rondo. Great! |
|
|
|
Dave Sky
From:
Columbus, Ohio, USA
|
|
|
|
Mark Mansueto
From:
Michigan, USA
|
Posted 26 Sep 2010 7:05 am
|
|
| Dave Sky wrote: |
| Mark, your Rondos are amazing. I love the headstocks and the pick guards add some class to the humble Rondo. Great! |
Thanks, Dave, I do like the way the black/white/black pickguard looks with the black strat knobs but the real reason I added the pickguard was to allow me to re-cut the cavities from the top in order to reposition the controls and fit full size pots.
I like the new Rondo models and I'm glad that they're making improvements. I wonder if they're reading our threads? 
_________________
https://markmansueto.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/65dQ3EyZC2RaqawA8gPlRy?si=dOdqc5zxSKeJI9cISVVx_A |
|
|
|
Tom Cooper
From:
Orlando, Fl
|
Posted 26 Sep 2010 9:19 am rondo sx
|
|
| I just bought the new Rondo and it had a bad tuner so I have to wait for the new one to really test it out. Heavier than the old one and better pickup. I have a black one with the chrome ashtray cover and installed a Seymour Duncan lipstick. Really looks cool, may post a pic later. I just saw a video of Sol Hoopii playing gospel on an old Dickerson and it made me want to tackle the C#m7 tuning again. These Rondos cant be a whole lot different than those cheapo Dickersons can they? Starting to appreciate the simple beauty of the six string again. I play my D8 and single 8, but really am enjoying the 6 again. Kinda breaks up the same old same old going to C#m7 from A6 and E13/9. Love the Rondo lap steel. For the money, a great buy. I may try some cosmetic mods just for fun. Luvin my 6 bangers again! TC |
|
|
|
Stephen Calhoun
From:
Ohio, USA
|
Posted 26 Sep 2010 2:04 pm
|
|
I'd like to see Rondo do an 8. If I had a magic wand, I'd like to see them supply the SX lap steels in a DIY version--with no bridge, tuners, and electronics.
Lessee...EMG Select from SM $25
Ferrules from SM $ 9
Angle from hardware $ 4
Tuners from G-Fetish $21
crude drill work & staining ->priceless
The string-through and the pick-up made the biggest difference, whereas with the tuners it doesn't detune anymore when you look at it.
Nice work on your more elegant mods, fellow Rondoheads.
_________________
slide avant-gardist, experimentalist, echo surfer
two 1970-ish Fender 400, Fouke Industrial Rail, Allen Melbert 6, Rondo SX -- everything one way or the other through Guitar Rig/Logic/Apple/synthesizers/iPAD. ...sometimes out to a Tech 21 Trademark 60 1x12
recording as Kamelmauz.bandcamp.com |
|
|
|
Dave Sky
From:
Columbus, Ohio, USA
|
Posted 26 Sep 2010 5:21 pm
|
|
Steven, I like the volume/tone control cover! After seeing yours and Marks, I may need to redo mine and put the controls back in.
Any other mods going on out there in Rondo land? |
|
|
|
John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
|
Posted 27 Sep 2010 8:05 am
|
|
| If youse wanna fill those holes left by the cover removal,,, go to the paint section of your hardware store, and look for these fat pencil-looking filler sticks. They're mostly wax. Ya just rub them across the hole, and level and polish with a soft cloth. Comes in a ton of colors like Walnut, Maple, Mahogany, etc.. |
|
|
|
