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Topic: Non Electric 6 String Lap Steel Kit |
John Hartle
From:
Thailand
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Posted 31 Dec 2017 11:24 pm |
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| Is there such a thing? Other than 2X4 kits. I am handy at woodwork and would like to try and build a lap guitar. What amount, volume of sound should one expect from a non-electric? |
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Bill Groner
From:
QUAKERTOWN, PA
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Posted 1 Jan 2018 1:19 am
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Volume is minimal. You can hear it, but it won't disturb anyone else in the house. I made a hollow body aluminum one with a cone inside. While it has a little more volume it isn't much louder than a solid body wood lap steel. Building your own is NOT that hard. One thing you must get correct is the scale length (nut to bridge) and getting the distance between the nut to the 12th fret and the bridge to the 12th fret equal. I will look for a link I used to build my first one. The guy used all hand tools to build his. He goes into great detail and it is very easy to follow. To be continued......hopefully I can find the link for you. 
I found it! This guy used a 2 x 4, but it is much easier if you decide to go electric to make the body wider. My narrowest one is 6" and it takes some figuring to get the Pup, and knobs mounted so they are visually pleasing.
http://www.buildyourguitar.com/resources/lapsteel/
Hope this helps you out.
_________________
Currently own, 6 Groner-tone lap steels, one 1953 Alamo Lap steel, Roland Cube, Fender Champion 40 |
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Jeff Mead
From:
London, England
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Posted 1 Jan 2018 1:32 am
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Isn't an acoustic lap steel just a regular acoustic guitar with a higher nut, or one of these:
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Scott Duckworth
From:
Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies
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Posted 1 Jan 2018 4:37 am
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Not exactly. Bridge is also higher, and necks are more robust. You can warp a neck with those nut extenders left in place for long periods of time. I wouldn't do that to a guitar I liked...
_________________
Amateur Radio Operator NA4IT (Extra)
http://www.qsl.net/na4it
I may, in fact, be nuts. However, I am screwed onto the right bolt... Jesus! |
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Jeff Mead
From:
London, England
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Posted 1 Jan 2018 5:06 am
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| Scott Duckworth wrote: |
| You can warp a neck with those nut extenders left in place for long periods of time. |
Not if you choose suitable strings for whatever tuning you're using. No reason why string tension would be any higher than standard quitar tuning if the string gauge matches the note it's tuned to. |
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Bill Groner
From:
QUAKERTOWN, PA
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Posted 1 Jan 2018 5:14 am
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| Jeff Mead wrote: |
| Scott Duckworth wrote: |
| You can warp a neck with those nut extenders left in place for long periods of time. |
Not if you choose suitable strings for whatever tuning you're using. No reason why string tension would be any higher than standard quitar tuning if the string gauge matches the note it's tuned to. |
But wouldn't there be more break angle if the nut was higher, therefore more pressure on the neck?
Exaggerated, couldn't it be compared to say a force pulling at 90* vs a force at say 15*?
_________________
Currently own, 6 Groner-tone lap steels, one 1953 Alamo Lap steel, Roland Cube, Fender Champion 40 |
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