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Topic: Another Homebuilt |
John Ficken
From:
Sunny Southern California, USA
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Posted 22 Apr 2007 10:02 am |
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Well, I wasn't going to post this, since I'm no craftsman, but what the Hey...
This would be the, er, "Garage-bilt Mk-1/Mod-1 Lapsteel", I guess! 
The entire guitar was made with bits that were about the house: the body is maple, from a kitchen re-model, all electronics and the still recognizably tremolo bridge, as well as the carved-up pick guard are Fender (again, spare parts), and the nut is a piece of aluminium window trim. The electronics cavity is fully shielded with foil, and the frets/markers were made from a bamboo table runner. It is finished in an experimental crinkle Fire-engine red.
The only store bought parts are the tuners and the 500meg volume pot.
The guitar is a 21.5" scale, which is very comfortable for me to play in the Leavitt tuning. The string-through body is set up with a hand-picked group: .44, .42, .22p, .22p, .20p and .17p. My initial impression is that the 4th string needs a .32, but I also prefer plain over wound on as many strings as I can get away with!
Apologies for the photo quality!
When I learn something, I'll post a clip! 
_________________
OK...I'm gonna try and tune this thing...again! |
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Stu Schulman
From:
Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
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Posted 22 Apr 2007 10:44 am
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John,I love it!hey where did you buy that thumbpick?That's my favorite one and can't seem to find those up here?Stu
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Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952. |
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John Ficken
From:
Sunny Southern California, USA
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Posted 22 Apr 2007 11:02 am
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Stu--
Local store carries them..want me to see if I can get you some?
_________________
OK...I'm gonna try and tune this thing...again! |
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Derrick Mau
From:
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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Scott Thomas
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Posted 22 Apr 2007 11:54 am
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I really like that! Especially the whole "found object" aesthetic of it all. It really has all come together as something whimsical and cool looking, with a nod to 50's/60's design elements. You are obviously very imaginative and resourceful. 
Now I really am curious to hear it---anything! |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 22 Apr 2007 1:58 pm
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I like it ...
Your bamboo fretboard is very cool !!!
I'm a bamboo nut ... I go out every day looking to see if my P. vivax has any new shoots (it's the time). |
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Stu Schulman
From:
Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
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Posted 22 Apr 2007 2:27 pm
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John,Thanks for the offer,I'll get them from the site that Derrick posted..it's really hard to find stuff like that here..Stu
_________________
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952. |
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Roman Sonnleitner
From:
Vienna, Austria
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Posted 22 Apr 2007 2:46 pm
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| Great lap steel, love it, very creative; I like your idea for the fretboard (might even "borrow" it, if you don't mind, for my next project...) |
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John Ficken
From:
Sunny Southern California, USA
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Posted 22 Apr 2007 4:30 pm
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No worries, Roman!
I "borrowed" the general design from Rick (who may have gotten his from another "Rick"  ). I'd have gone all the way, but my facilities around here are limited in terms of pouring molton metal!
I am already planning an 8-string. In place of a high-dollar pup, I intend on running 2 single coils together in a stagger--again, it's what I have laying around the house!
Thanks to you all for your kind comments  .
_________________
OK...I'm gonna try and tune this thing...again! |
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Danny James
From:
Summerfield Florida USA
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Posted 22 Apr 2007 7:41 pm Another homebuilt
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I am very impressed with what John has done with parts just lying around the shop.
I'm looking forward to seeing his next project.
Good job!
Rick ya better keep an eye on your bamboo shoots from now on. We know where their at and in view of what John has done,there may now be a demand for them. |
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Alan Hamley
From:
Queensland, Australia
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Posted 22 Apr 2007 7:54 pm
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Hey John,
Don't under estimate your lap slide guitar. It is a beauty!!! Congratulations !!!! Great inovative design. All good fun aye!!!!
Cheers
Alan |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Posted 23 Apr 2007 11:26 am
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Is this the John I think it is?
Great use of parts on hand
Like others, I'm digging the bamboo fret markers and the fry pan is a classic.
Good job and heres looking forward to your next one(s)
Tom |
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John Ficken
From:
Sunny Southern California, USA
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Posted 23 Apr 2007 1:23 pm
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TOM! Hey, Bro, it's me! How many years has it been? How're you and that branch of the family on that end of California doing?
You know, it's odd--as I posted this guitar, Jenny said, "Did you know my cousin Tom builds lap steels too?" I had no idea--small world, hey?
...and there you have it folks--a mini family reunion, right here on the 'ol SGF!
_________________
OK...I'm gonna try and tune this thing...again! |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Posted 23 Apr 2007 2:08 pm
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Hey John! ... I thought that was you
I got rained out today so was surfing a bit and there you were
Everyone down here is doing great! ... It has been a while ... my how the time flys.
Cool that you are into building laps, they are fun to build.
I've got a couple new ones in the works. This one is about ready to string up. I guess I'll have to post a thread when its all done.
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g94/quarterbend/grandchambered1.jpg |
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John Ficken
From:
Sunny Southern California, USA
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Posted 23 Apr 2007 5:06 pm
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Geez, Dude! You got skills! Puts me to shame !
Now that you've stepped forward, you can expect me to route all my dumb newbie questions to you!
_________________
OK...I'm gonna try and tune this thing...again! |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Posted 23 Apr 2007 9:49 pm
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| Don't sell yourself short, your little red frypan is very cool |
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