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Post new topic Building 12 string lap. Looking for Headstock ideas.
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Author Topic:  Building 12 string lap. Looking for Headstock ideas.
Kristen Bruno

 

From:
Orlando, Florida, USA
Post  Posted 31 May 2013 11:08 am    
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For fun, I am building an extremely rudimentary 12 string lap steel out of a plank of poplar. I planed it to about 2 inches but will probably plane it some more. Maybe 1 3/4 or 1 1/2. And the headstock part would be thinner. I will use two "six string guitar pickups" to cover all 12 strings since I have those lying around.

I am looking for some ideas or tips for cutting the headstock, or even buying a premade metal one if they are not expensive, as that seems to be one of the most difficult parts of the job. Haven't decided on tuners yet, but thats one thing i never get chintzy about. good tuners are a necessity.

I am curious to hear what sound comes out. From what I have seen, with guitars at least, the tone can be guess-timated, but you never know what you will get till its all put together. Even if two things have the same wood and hardware they can sound different! With my luck it will sound like crap, but at least I will get this out of my system.

K
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Peter Jacobs


From:
Northern Virginia
Post  Posted 31 May 2013 12:55 pm    
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I'm thinking you could use two strips of wood, approx 9/16 thick by 3/4" wide by however long you'd need to fit six tuners each. Drill tuner holes in the strips then mount them to the headstock. This should work with your simple approach.

Something like this, only taking your time to do a nicer job:
http://www.instructables.com/id/6-String-Lap-Steel-Guitar/

You could also do something like how George Piburn (Georgeboards) does it:

http://www.georgeboards.com/wpblog/?product=headstock-router-template
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Russell Adkins

 

From:
Louisiana, USA
Post  Posted 31 May 2013 5:47 pm    
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How bout a stepped key head , send me an email if your interested in one .Russ
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Russell Adkins

 

From:
Louisiana, USA
Post  Posted 31 May 2013 5:53 pm    
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something like this only 12 string, ive sold a lot of these on ebay and I use them on my own builds works great , I supply an aluminum nut that you can finish out to your liking 1/4 inch thick not the thin stuff like some use .
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Bob Tuttle


From:
Republic, MO 65738
Post  Posted 31 May 2013 7:43 pm    
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Russell, what kind of wood are you using for your keyheads?
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David Mason


From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
Post  Posted 31 May 2013 8:21 pm    
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Personally I think the stepped keyhead is important. I see a lot of the budget-minded steels with the tuner posts coming out at an angle, and tuners are just not designed to be pulled so that the gears are fighting string pull. Might save a few bucks at the beginning, but it'd catch up to you around the 3rd set of tuners.

I kinda keep an eye out on the forum for interesting things and I've got a couple of 10-string heads, but I've never seen a 12 come up in a parts sale.
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Russell Adkins

 

From:
Louisiana, USA
Post  Posted 1 Jun 2013 12:32 pm    
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I make these from oak wood Bob, some scoff at the lowly oak but in my experience oak is just fine , ive used oak on pedal steel guitars as well , its hard strong and looks great. I could use another wood if someone ask for it but those that ive sold ive had no negative comments about.Six string, 8 string and 10 strngers , 6 and 8 being the most popular . Russ
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Dennis Smith

 

From:
Covington, Georgia, USA
Post  Posted 1 Jun 2013 1:38 pm    
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Look at this one.
http://youtu.be/LMPHSYOm6Y8
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Kristen Bruno

 

From:
Orlando, Florida, USA
Post  Posted 3 Jun 2013 6:23 am    
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Thanks for the tips, guys.
That video was awzum!

K
_________________
"Technology has given us the ability to repeat all the mistakes we have learned from history, but much faster, deadlier and with much greater accuracy" - KAB
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