My custom made Lazy River "Weissenborn-style hollowneck" has finally arrived!
I ordered it from Rance back in July and it arrived three days ago! I'll get straight to the point - here are some photos:
[This message was edited by Fred Kinbom on 27 November 2006 at 07:06 PM.]
Fred Kinbom
From: Berlin, Germany, via Stockholm, Sweden.
Posted 27 Nov 2006 7:04 pm
There'll be some video clips further down as well! Now, about this guitar...
Materials/features
My Lazy River is made from Sitka Spruce (top) and Black Walnut (back/sides). The rope binding is Maple/Black Walnut (I think). The custom features are:
- The mother-of-pearl fretboard inlays, which are my design.
- The fretboard and bridge are made of Black Walnut, instead of Rosewood (see my "rain forest friendly" note below).
- Bone bridge pins (this was the first time Rance used bone bridge pins, and he said they add "even more clarity" to the sound).
"Rain forest friendly"
Initially, I was going for either Honduran Mahogany or Sapele for the back and sides, but then I started thinking about deforestation and illegal logging problems in the third world. I discussed this with Rance - who was very happy that I cared about these issues - and he suggested going for Walnut, a North American wood, instead. After listening to recordings of Steinar Gregertsen's and Terry Vun Cannon's Spruce/Walnut Lazy Rivers, I decided to go for this option.
I also thought that it would look good with the fretboard and bridge matching the back and sides, so I asked Rance to use Walnut for these as well.
So my Lazy River is a "rain forest friendly" guitar!
Steinar tells me that his Spruce/Walnut Lazy River took about 2-3 months to open up, and that after that it just keeps sounding better and better. That's great to know, as this guitar sounds wonderful already!
It's a beautiful instrument! Thank you so much Rance!
Fred
[This message was edited by Fred Kinbom on 27 November 2006 at 07:08 PM.]
[This message was edited by Fred Kinbom on 27 November 2006 at 07:08 PM.]
[This message was edited by Fred Kinbom on 27 November 2006 at 07:09 PM.]
Fred Kinbom
From: Berlin, Germany, via Stockholm, Sweden.
Posted 27 Nov 2006 7:05 pm
Here is a short video of me with my new Lazy River:
And here I play another little tune on it:
These clips are recorded with the camcorder's in-built mic - it of course sounds much better "in person".
So, here's another warm recommendation for the guitars built by Rance White!
She's a beaut, Fred. I also liked your videos and the cool bullet bar fade at the end of the second one. Keep on keepin' on!
Brad Bechtel
From: San Francisco, CA
Posted 27 Nov 2006 7:37 pm
It's a beautiful guitar, and I can only imagine what you'll sound like after it "opens up" a bit! Thanks for sharing.
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Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars
Scott Thomas
Posted 27 Nov 2006 7:51 pm
Absolutely stunning--
love the rope binding too!
Congrats on a beautiful guitar and on surviving the waiting period.
Mike Neer
From: NJ
Posted 27 Nov 2006 8:06 pm
Nice choice of woods--black walnut and spruce is a fantastic combination. I'm glad that you created a "rain forest friendly" guitar.
That's a very handsome guitar--play it in good health.
Mike D
From: Phx, Az
Posted 27 Nov 2006 8:36 pm
Sweet! Congrats to both of you!
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Half-assed bottleneck and lap slide player. Full-assed Builder of resonator instruments.
Randy Reeves
From: LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA
Posted 28 Nov 2006 7:45 am
interesting choice for a bridge... a fret wire.
very nice craftsmanship. the details are beautiful.
any reason for the bridge pins to be alligned that way? or is it cosmetic?
Mike D
From: Phx, Az
Posted 28 Nov 2006 9:39 am
Original Weissenborns put the pins in a arc too, but the real reason is to help prevent cracks in the bridge and bridge plate. When the pins are in a straight line they can lead to a split along the grain line.
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Half-assed bottleneck and lap slide player. Full-assed Builder of resonator instruments.
Terry VunCannon
From: Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
Posted 28 Nov 2006 10:16 am
Fred...That is one beautiful weissenborn style instrument...Rance really does great work...I just know that you will be happy. I may have to check into the bone bridge pins...very nice...I also love the inlay on the 1st fret(Your design?)...Terry .
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1959 Stringmaster D6, 1970's Stringmaster D-6, '49 & '51 National Dynamics, Harmos Model One, Lazy River Weissenborn, Regal RD-45S, Mesa Boogie DC-3, SRV Strat.
Randy Reeves
From: LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA
Posted 28 Nov 2006 12:14 pm
MikeD. that makes perfect sense.
I am working on an acoustic lap steel and considering the bridge and pin placement.
those beautiful pics of this guitar and Mike D's input will help me out.
love this forum.
[This message was edited by Randy Reeves on 29 November 2006 at 12:54 PM.]
Arthur Herrmann
From: New Jersey, USA
Posted 28 Nov 2006 4:26 pm
I had Rance build a spruce/walnut Weiss for me last year, I was also swayed partially by Steinar's clips on his web site. You will be very pleased with how the sound develops over the next few months. Liked your clips, very cool tunes, heard a little Nick Drake influence in the short vocal on the second clip.
Mike D
From: Phx, Az
Posted 28 Nov 2006 4:40 pm
You're welcome Randy. Make sure and post your results!
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Half-assed bottleneck and lap slide player. Full-assed Builder of resonator instruments.
Andy Sandoval
From: Bakersfield, California, USA
Posted 28 Nov 2006 4:42 pm
Fred, that guitar sounds great, what tuning are you using?
Edward Meisse
From: Santa Rosa, California, USA
Posted 29 Nov 2006 10:59 am
There's just nothing like the look and sound of a wooden guitar, is there? I wish I could afford one like yours. I' saving my pennies. I hope you don't mind my saying that your first tune seems to be crying out for some harmonics, especially towards the end. Waddya think?
Loni Specter
From: West Hills, CA, USA
Posted 29 Nov 2006 11:51 am
Hi Fred,
WOW! Looks great! Congratulations.
I want one!
Matt Lange
From: Wisconsin, USA
Posted 29 Nov 2006 12:57 pm
Fantastic! I'm glad to see a good musician getting a good instrument. I like that second song especially. Keep up the good work and enjoy that guitar!
First of all, I would like to correct my statement that Steinar's Lazy River "took about 2-3 months to open up": Steinar pointed out (on the IGS forum) that it was after 2-3 months that he started noticing a difference in the sound.
Terry V - I first decided I wanted "semi elipse" mother-of-pearl inlays, then at the last minute I thought a "V" shape on the first fret would be nice too. I think this has been done before though (a larger triangular shape on the first fret of some original Style 4 Weissenborns?). Thanks also Terry for sending me the mp3s of your Lazy River back in the summer - I'm very happy I decided on Black Walnut too!
Randy - make sure to keep us posted on the progress of your acoustic lap steel!
Arthur and Matt - many thanks! I'm glad you like my beginner's lap slide music!
Andy - both clips are in open D (DADF#AD).
Edward - yes, "The Ring" is a simple little tune indeed (first lap steel tune I wrote). It's funny you should mention it, as over on the IGS Forum someone started a thread suggesting that others record their own interpretations of "The Ring". Very interesting! So far a bottleneck resonator version and a great dub version with National Tricone in a minor key. Check it out here!
I forgot to mention that my Lazy River is equipped with a K&K Pure Western Mini pickup. I had the chance to try it out at a gig on Tuesday night (local acoustic showcase):
I play it through a K&K Pure preamp (but with EQ set pretty "normal") and then straight to the PA.
I was not very happy with my performance, but I am very happy with the guitar!
