| Author |
Topic: Radius Front Bodys |
Bill Duncan
From:
Lenoir, North Carolina, USA
|
Posted 15 Mar 2009 5:51 am |
|
Has a pedal steel manufacturer that anyone is aware of, built a radius front edge body with a Formica finish? I can't recall seeing one. All that I recall seeing had square edges with guitar binding.
_________________
You can observe a lot just by looking |
|
|
 |
Bo Borland
From:
South Jersey -
|
Posted 15 Mar 2009 6:51 am
|
|
what about this radius bodied Sierra Artist. Is it all wood or mica?
currently on ebay |
|
|
|
Martin Weenick
From:
Lecanto, FL, USA
|
Posted 15 Mar 2009 7:14 am Radius
|
|
That looks as if it may be formica rolled over a radius edge. The old shobud radius was cut with a 1/2 inch roundover bit. Martin.
_________________
Several custom steels. NV-112 Boss DD-7 |
|
|
|
Bill Duncan
From:
Lenoir, North Carolina, USA
|
Posted 15 Mar 2009 8:09 am
|
|
Is that Sierra Formica, vinyl, or wood veneer?
_________________
You can observe a lot just by looking |
|
|
|
David Doggett
From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
|
Posted 15 Mar 2009 8:44 am
|
|
| I saw one of those once at a guitar show. It seemed to be made of thick curved plastic or fiberglass. The apron edge was maybe 1/8". It's a student model. |
|
|
|
Bill Duncan
From:
Lenoir, North Carolina, USA
|
Posted 15 Mar 2009 9:46 am
|
|
Yes, I've seen the student models. That isn't quite what I had in mind. All of the pedal steel builders seem to be the same, with the Formica applications. I believe some unique things could be done with the Formica if someone got creative.
I would love to have a lacquer finished body, but the downside is how fragile they are. Surely, someone feels like me, and would like a Formica finished body with the class and beauty of a lacquer finish; with some curves, and warmth, as well.
_________________
You can observe a lot just by looking |
|
|
|
Colm Chomicky
From:
Kansas, (Prairie Village)
|
Posted 15 Mar 2009 10:24 am
|
|
It is basically all aluminum body. The mica is a thin flexible sheet that is glued over the aluminum casting. The aluminum casting gives it the shape. Basically if you look at the photo toward the end plates, that is the aluminum casting sticking out from under the thin formica covering.
It is a lighter weight answer to the Sierra Session or Crown. A little less beef to the parts, but still reliable. Sierra quit making them in about year 2000 or so. Many parts are still available.
This one looks only to be a 3 x 2 but many of the single necks were 3 x 4 with an option for 3 x 5. Set-up up is changable, and if you get a 3 x 4 or 3 x 5 it can have the modern pulls that you would get if you bought a new 3 x 4 or 3 x 5 from other makers. It does not have split tuners though, although there is probably a way to add an extra rod if you want to pursue some splits. So I would not call most of these a student model (particularly if you can find a 3 x 4 or 3 x 5), but certainly an excellent choice for a student because he can graduate to pro level because all the changes are there on some of these without needing a new guitar. Just get one with all the knee levels.
I have a D-10 8 x 5 I bought used. It has been extremely reliable and is a little work-horse. A D-10 8 x 5 when sold new, was not at a student price and closer to a pro steel price. A new D-10 in 2000 3 x 5 listed about $3100. Today you can find these used at a student model price. Even if the student gets a new guitar, it still makes a good second guitar, and you can't beat the lighter weight for toting around. |
|
|
|
J D Sauser
From:
Wellington, Florida
|
Posted 15 Mar 2009 11:11 am
|
|
Actually, if my memory serves me right, it was an aluminum EXTRUSION channel, which was covered with some kind of thermoplastic veneering.
... J-D. |
|
|
|
Michael Johnstone
From:
Sylmar,Ca. USA
|
Posted 15 Mar 2009 1:41 pm
|
|
| I was a Sierra guy when that guitar came out and I played one once at a trade show just to check it out. I'd say it would be a great choice for a beginner and way better than any student model I can think of. Those guitars have an amazing resonance because of the shape of the body and just ring like a bell. I've heard people say a lot of negative things about all aluminum guitars but aluminum is a very musical material - just ask Chas Smith. Like was said,you can load it up with changes and it would see a beginner quite a ways down the road. It's a solid,good sounding guitar that stays in tune and is very light.Too bad there's not more of them around. |
|
|
|
