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Topic: First Build Help |
Larry G. Allen
From:
Near Nashville Tennessee, USA
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Posted 15 Jan 2014 9:53 pm |
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Hey guys and gals. I'm putting together all the parts to start my own build on an eight string lap steel. Can any of you give me a few suggestions on sources for pickups for eight string ? Could be anything from a single eight pole to blades to buckers. I'm also having trouble sourcing tuner keys. Stew Mac has several choices , but only one where I can buy single tuners to add to a 3L X 3R set. I think I'll just have to order eight singles 4L and 4R... Is this the way to go ? Any help would be appreciated. BTW I asked over at the SteelGuitarBuilder forum , but that forum doesn't seem to be very active...might take a while for answers over there... Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
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A couple of Martin Armpit Gits , , a couple of my own custom S8 laps, and a Gold Tone JB Dobro |
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Stephen Abruzzo
From:
Philly, PA
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Robert Allen
From:
Tennessee, USA
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Posted 16 Jan 2014 7:21 am
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| I use the Saga F-2080 sealed gear tuners for my 8-string lap steels. See sagamusic.com I'm splitting up sets all the time and don't mind selling you 2 tuners. Regarding pickups, since you're in the Nashville area you might want to check with Georgelsstore.com in Madison, TN. Nashville Steel Guitars also has the George L pickups. Last I knew they also sold the Lawrence 705 which works well in an 8-string lap steel. If you're looking for a single coil pickup try jerrywallacemusic.com |
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Larry G. Allen
From:
Near Nashville Tennessee, USA
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Posted 17 Jan 2014 8:33 am
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Thanks for all the help guys. I'm making my parts list , and deciding which direction this is going. I thought maybe I could build a quality eight string cheaper than buying a production model, but it's getting questionable. I may end up making the wife a spice rack with the fancy wood I bought !
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A couple of Martin Armpit Gits , , a couple of my own custom S8 laps, and a Gold Tone JB Dobro |
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Gary Meixner
From:
New York, USA
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Posted 17 Jan 2014 10:00 am
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Larry,
Building a steel guitar is a lot of fun, and if you are handy, and have a decent shop with tools, it is relatively easy. I have built quite a few and have parts sitting around to build more. You may be able to save yourself a few bucks by building one but in my experience not enough if saving money is your main motivation.
This forum has several very talented professional builder offering quality guitars that are true bargains, and everyday the for sale section has great deals on used and vintage instruments.
If you are just getting started player the steel there is no reason not to consider building or buying a six string model. You will find parts are much cheaper and readily available. Plus there are many more used six string steels that are great playing, professional instruments available. By no means is a six steel simply a beginners guitar; there is a lifetime of music in those six strings and 80% of what you would play on the eight string guitar can be played on six.
I would encourage you to build yourself a guitar if you enjoy the work - you may be able to safe yourself a little money too. Otherwise shop the forum for something that suits you.
Very best of luck,
Gary Meixner |
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Larry G. Allen
From:
Near Nashville Tennessee, USA
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Posted 17 Jan 2014 10:18 am
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Thanks for the reply Gary , I appreciate the imput , and the encouragement. I have an Artisan six string that I'm noodling with, and thought that with my main thing being traditional country music , an eight stringer with C6 tuning would be the way to go. My parts list is up to about $460 so far, including the wood I purchased. I gonna have to master clean soldering , but other than that I can do the wood working with a table saw , router , and sander. Some days when I think about maybe messing up on the build , it just seems easier to buy a nice one and be done with it. Health issues have me a little down and feeling defeated ,but tomorrows a new day. Too cold in the shop to play and that's given me cabin fever. It'll get better I'm sure. Thanks for the inspirational post.
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A couple of Martin Armpit Gits , , a couple of my own custom S8 laps, and a Gold Tone JB Dobro |
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Larry G. Allen
From:
Near Nashville Tennessee, USA
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Posted 17 Jan 2014 10:31 am
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Here's my teaser , too cold to play today. I'm trying real hard not to start the wood working till I make the decisions on pickup, nut bridge , scale length etc. The main body wood (bloodwood) is only 7/8ths inch thick, so I may have to double it up on the tail end for pots and such..Definatly muddling thru this ! I probably won't use the purpleheart, but it looked lonely in the store and I had to bring it home.
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A couple of Martin Armpit Gits , , a couple of my own custom S8 laps, and a Gold Tone JB Dobro |
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John D. Carter
From:
Canton, Ohio, USA
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Posted 17 Jan 2014 11:56 am
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| I am beginning a 7 string build and I found a used George L pickup on this forum for only $40. I am anxious to see what it will sound like on a non-pedal steel. It would easily accommodate 8 strings with a standard non-pedal string spacing. |
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Larry G. Allen
From:
Near Nashville Tennessee, USA
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Posted 19 Jan 2014 10:13 am
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Thanks for all the replies and help. My project is now on the back burner, maybe permanently..... I just ordered a GeogeBoards Eight string. Might take a month to get here, but I'm excited !
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A couple of Martin Armpit Gits , , a couple of my own custom S8 laps, and a Gold Tone JB Dobro |
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Jim Williams
From:
Meridian, Mississippi, USA - Home of Peavey!
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Posted 19 Jan 2014 3:28 pm
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You should be excited...those are beautifully built guitars...nice choice.
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GFI SM10 3/4, 1937 Gibson EH-150, 2 - Rondo SX Lap Steels and a Guyatone 6 String C6. Peavey 400 and a Roland 40 Amps. Behringer Reverb Pedal. |
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Don Barnhardt
From:
North Carolina, USA
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Posted 24 Jan 2014 7:55 pm
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| Buy 4 sets of tuners and build 3 guitars. They're addictive. |
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