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Topic: a lap steel I built |
Randy Reeves
From:
LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 13 Jul 2007 6:54 am |
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here is an acoustic/electric lap steel I just finished.
I want to thank Curtis of this forum for helping me with the wiring schematic.
a friend requested I make a lap steel that could be heard when played unplugged while he sat on his country home back porch, but could be amplified when he wanted.
the guitar is mahogany that I routed hollow. the top wood is western cedar. the rosewood fretboard is inlaid with maple and pearl. the bridge is ebony with the nut and saddle bone. the pickup is a Seymour Duncan Antiquity from the 50's tele series.
here is a pic and sound sample:
http://www.soundclick.com/bnds/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=644552 |
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Bill Leff
From:
Santa Cruz, CA, USA
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Posted 13 Jul 2007 9:13 am
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Nice looking and sounding instrument. You did good.
I like the sitar on your Soundclick page too. Let's hear some more of that! |
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Vince Luke
From:
Iowa, USA
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Posted 13 Jul 2007 9:19 am
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That's pretty cool--good lookin' and seems to have an acoustic-y sound.
Nice going.
Vince |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Steinar Gregertsen
From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
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Posted 13 Jul 2007 10:54 am
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As I wrote on that other forum - great job Randy! 
Steinar
_________________
"Play to express, not to impress"
Website - YouTube |
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Gary Lynch
From:
Creston, California, USA
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Posted 13 Jul 2007 12:13 pm
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| Randy, it does sound good! First I thought SGF members may just be, 'being nice' to you. But the way you have your amp and lap steel set up sounds real clean and a lot like a acoustic instrument. |
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Randy Reeves
From:
LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 13 Jul 2007 12:41 pm
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the guitar is full hollow, except for the neck.
as hard as I took care in building there are all sorts of flaws. that makes me appreciate the fine builds I have seen here.
she is plain and a bit homely. but she has a voice.
more than I had hoped.
I tested with an overdrive, but it sounded bad.
the guitar does overdrive a small amp.
thanks for looking and listening. |
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Chris Drew
From:
Bristol, UK
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Posted 15 Jul 2007 2:12 am
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That's sweet! 
BTW, what scale length is that, & what string gauges?
Thanks! |
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Randy Reeves
From:
LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 15 Jul 2007 11:35 am
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Chris. because I am unsure, yet, of what the guitar can take in string tension, I have it tuned open E using a set of Ernie Ball Super Slinky's 10-46.
I just returned from delivering the guitar to the new owner (my best friend). he really likes the volume unplugged. sitting on his back porch I would say the guitar sounds much like the Martin Backpacker.
yeah, well, yuk. but that was not the point in the building of it. for my buddy, it is very suitable, as he wanted to relax and learn how to play lap slide. he just could not hear enough with a solid body lap.
we plugged the guitar in and it sounds nice. piano like.
intonation is just with my fret layout. the Seymour Duncan pickups drove his Fender Twin. we cranked it. he lives on a farm. who is around.it sounded tube awesome.
I should learn more about caps and tone pots. the treble roll off was generic sounding.
the best thing is the lower strings had big presence. clear without being boomy.
overall it sounds very acoustic. a glass slide works well.
eventually we are going to increase the string tension and try other tunings. string gauge change too. I just do not know what it can take. I have never made one like this before.
I would be curious of your opinions;srings, tuning, gauge etc.
now I have to make another one. for me. I am a bit enchanted with that hollow body slab with tone wood top. and I could add some ornament.
guess I just wrote a review.
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