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Topic: Is there a way to 'test' a lap steel |
J Hill
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 11 Mar 2005 9:39 am |
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| So that I can know if a particular 'home-made' lap steel is properly made, is there a way someone can tell me to 'test' it, to know whether a certain slant is producing the right sound as it relates to a certain chord played straight up and down with the bar? Thanks, |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 11 Mar 2005 10:25 am
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You could check the 12th , 7th and 5th fret "harmonics" ... to see if they ring true.
Just strum across the strings while your left hand "karate chops" ... at the 12th, 7th and 5th frets.
If they sing out well ... the fretboard is layed out right.
If they don't ... but ring louder if you "chop" above or below those frets ... well then there is some "issues" with the fretboard.
If the fretboard lays out well ... and the string spacing is in the vicinity of 3/8" ... you should be good to go with slantin'.
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Aiello's House of Gauss
My wife and I don't think alike. She donates money to the homeless and I donate money to the topless! ... R. Dangerfield
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J Hill
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 11 Mar 2005 11:26 am
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What does it mean if its rather 'dead' in the harmonics area?
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 11 Mar 2005 12:26 pm
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If it is an electric steel guitar and you are plugged into an amp ...
And you are not getting a good 12th fret "chime" ...
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J Hill
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 11 Mar 2005 1:44 pm
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Rich,
On about one of the strings....maybe two. |
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Denny Turner
From:
Oahu, Hawaii USA
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Posted 11 Mar 2005 1:54 pm
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ie. If the chime is directly over those frets, then the rest of the fretboard math and layout is probably correct; But if to get the chime the left hand has to be placed sharper or flatter than directly over the fret, then the fretboard and/or nut / bridge placement has some issues.
The nut and bridge must also be precisely perpendicular to the strings; Which can be checked with the corner of a piece of new typing paper.
Actually, there are many other parameters that should be checked by a Steeler or Steel tech ...the more knowledgeable the better, ...prior to purchase if possible. Seeing good pictures can help with assesing some parameters.
If I can't examine a musical instrument, I don't pay more than the value of the visible parts resold separately, ...UNLESS the Seller agrees in writing to take it back for a full refund if something is unreasonably wrong with it (and consider shipping costs in that risk & deal). When buying allot of instruments as inventory, some margins in the logistics workload have to be made for bad deals once in awhile, ....BUT if a purchase is for personal use then the deal should be iron-clad lest the purchase make it economically difficult or impossible to have the/an instrument for the desired purpose.
Aloha,
DT~
[This message was edited by Denny Turner on 11 March 2005 at 02:09 PM.] |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 11 Mar 2005 2:08 pm
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There are a few different things that could cause a few strings to sound dead ...
If you are unplugged ... and all the strings basically give you "chimes" at similar volumes ... then its a probably a pickup issue.
If unplugged ... and the same stings that didn't "ring out" before ... still don't ... then its probably a nut/bridge slotting problem.
Either way ... it sounds like its gonna need to be worked on.
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Aiello's House of Gauss
My wife and I don't think alike. She donates money to the homeless and I donate money to the topless! ... R. Dangerfield
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J Hill
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 11 Mar 2005 2:53 pm
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| You guys are teaching me some valuable things. Ok, I got the string back in the right place. Thanks for your help. [This message was edited by Leila Tuttle on 11 March 2005 at 06:06 PM.] |
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 13 Mar 2005 12:05 am
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Leila .. what do you mean when you say "I got the string back in the right place."?
How did it get in the wrong place ?
This IS a serious question..
Basil
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| Quote: |
| Steel players do it without fretting |
 
http://www.waikiki-islanders.com
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Gary Boyett
From:
Colorado
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Posted 13 Mar 2005 4:12 am
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Leila,
I live just north of you in Arvada. If you want I can look at it or better yet take it to Olde Town Pickin Parlour in Arvada and ask for Kit. He knows his stuff.
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JCFSC member since 2005
D-8 Stringmaster
Fender Dual Pro
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J Hill
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 13 Mar 2005 5:58 am
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| The string....very minor problem...minor. I'm just learning how to deal with the keyless tuner. The Pickin Parlour, I was just there about 2 weeks ago. Very nice folks and a lot of very nice 6 strings. The first time I'd heard a Dobro played in person. Thanks for telling me about Kit. [This message was edited by Leila Tuttle on 13 March 2005 at 05:58 AM.] |
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