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Topic: Get up, stand up - with the "Belly Bar" |
Steinar Gregertsen
From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
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Posted 23 Jul 2009 1:19 pm |
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Here's a photo of my Asher EH Junior with its new "Belly Bar" from Asher installed. It's very simple, and very effective:
I was a little sceptical at first, wondering if such a simple device would feel comfortable and provide enough support, but after testing it out on a few gigs this last week I must admit that it works very well.
The lap steel was steady as it could be and I had no problems at all,- and this was the first time I've ever tried wearing a lap steel like this.
It's such a relief to finally have the same freedom to move around as I have when I play guitar, and not the least to get away from the (loud) monitors and amps.
Here are some pics of it in action, at a gig I did with Tom Principato and his "Powerhouse" band two days ago:
_________________
"Play to express, not to impress"
Website - YouTube |
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Steinar Gregertsen
From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
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Posted 23 Jul 2009 1:31 pm
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Here's a detail from another photo that shows pretty well how it works:
_________________
"Play to express, not to impress"
Website - YouTube |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Mark White
From:
Michigan, USA
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Posted 23 Jul 2009 2:00 pm
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Looks great Steinar. I'd love to see some video on YouTube of the show (hint hint). Is there any coming?
_________________
http://www.myspace.com/lapsteelhack |
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Steinar Gregertsen
From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
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Posted 23 Jul 2009 2:15 pm
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Don't know about YouTube videos Mark, because of "user error" (I forgot to check the video tapes and rewind them) I only got 1 minute and 13 seconds of the first set, and 30 minutes of the second.. 
The sound isn't very good, very trebly with an annoying 'hiss' in the high register, but I may be able to do something about it, we'll see...
_________________
"Play to express, not to impress"
Website - YouTube |
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Mark White
From:
Michigan, USA
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Andy Sandoval
From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
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Posted 23 Jul 2009 5:52 pm
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| Looks cool steinar but how does it attache to the guitar? can you post a photo of the attachement side? Would you be able to use something like this on say, a bakelite Rickenbacher or Rickenbacher Silver Hawaiian? |
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Bill Asher
From:
Los Angeles, California, USA
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Posted 23 Jul 2009 9:05 pm Asher lap steel "Belly Bar"
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Here are a couple of pictures to see how it installs. We bend the aluminum bar with a jig to get the shape and angled ends that slip into the body. The bar is matched up to the body and hole locations are marked. Once drilled to the proper depth we install steel tuner bushings as sleeves to slide in the "Belly Bar". The design is quite simple and I owe it to Tim Sheerhorn who owns one of my lap steels and did the first installs for his and a few of my clients in Nashville. He then handed the design over to me to offer on my steels. Like Steinar said it is simple but very functional and stable. Feels a lot like a stand up Dobro. To answer Andy Sandoval, it may be possible to custom make one for a Bakalite but you have to be willing to drill holes. I have a Rickenbacher Bakalite so if you want give me a call, I can try to lay one out. They are reasonably priced at $48.00 for the bar and bushings, and we charge $25 to install them. So far I have only done installs on my lap steels but look forward to perfecting the bending system so we can offer them for other lap steels. Thanks, Bill
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Andy Sandoval
From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
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Posted 23 Jul 2009 9:57 pm
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| Thanks for answering my question Bill. I'm sure I wouldn't want to drill any holes in any of my old lap steels but I was just curious as to how it attached. Looks like a nice solid setup though. |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 24 Jul 2009 6:38 am
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That is a great design, Bill, simple and effective. I wouldn't want to be drilling holes in a Rickenbacker Bakelite guitar, but for the Electro Hawaiian Junior or similar guitars, it's going to be a very good way of providing mobility while playing.
Thanks for all you're doing for the lap steel guitarist!
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Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
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