| Author |
Topic: New Melbert 8 w/ legs - Ambrosia Maple |
Michael Lester
From:
Illinois, USA
|
Posted 10 Jun 2013 7:32 pm |
|
Thought you might like to see another of Bob's lap steels. He crafted this for me from Ambrosia Maple - (AMBROSIA MAPLE
The dramatic coloring in this maple, Acer Rubrum, is caused by the Ambrosia Beetle. The beetle causes pinholes 1/100" - 1/4" in diameter and attacks only recently killed/cut trees, logs, and green lumber. They usually bore into the sapwood of both hard and softwoods although sometimes they affect the heartwood. Interestingly, the beetle does not consume the wood; rather, when he excavates his "tunnel", he introduces two types of fungus.
The first grows on the walls of the "tunnel" and it is this fungus which is consumed by the beetle for nourishment. The fungus is called Ambrosia and the name was passed on to include the beetle.
The second fungus is a staining fungus which, if introduced, causes greenish-gray or bluish-black staining around the pinholes.)
I like the shape of Bob's guitars and it's clear that he puts a lot of skill into finishing and details. Very easy guitar to play...I'm sure George L contributes to that... very clean and clear all the way up with good note separation...
Adding legs is probably the best steel decision I could have made... it's always ready to play and I can stand if I choose -- we use a PA with powered speakers which requires that I pre-amp the steel signal to the mixer...with the lap steel on my knees, having the pre-amp clipped to a jeans pocket was a real hassle...now I can clip it to a leg...
I also like Bob's new bridge -- solid and firmly mated to the top of the guitar.
A nice guitar and a great value. Thanks Bob!
No financial interest of any kind. Just a satisfied customer.
Mike Lester
 |
|
|
 |
Morgan Scoggins
From:
Georgia, USA
|
Posted 13 Jun 2013 3:10 am
|
|
What a beautiful guitar!! I have a six string instrument from Bob made of red oak and I can't seem to put it down once I pick it up.
Bob is a wonderful guy and a pleasure to do business with. I hope to be able to upgrade to an eight string instrument soon and will be calling on Bob to do the job. I sure do like that ambrosia maple!
_________________
"Shoot low boys, the're ridin' Shetlands" |
|
|
|
Wayne D. Clark
From:
Montello Wisconsin, USA
|
Posted 13 Jun 2013 3:29 pm
|
|
When I saw your new Melbert 8 Lester I left the computer and checked to see if My Melbert 8 Console was still in the case. It is. Bob Makes a great Guitar! Morgan I hope you get your Melbert 8 console also.
Melbert 8 console
Peavy 110
Goodrich pedal |
|
|
|
Michael Lester
From:
Illinois, USA
|
Posted 14 Jun 2013 11:37 am Melbert 8
|
|
..thanks guys...my tendency is thank you for the compliments about the guitar...but frankly, ALL of the credit goes to Bob...
...all I did was describe the kind of music I play (western swing) and that I thought I had read that hard maple was a good choice if one wanted to get close to the tone of the old Fenders...
...Bob came up with the Ambrosia... I asked for the George L because my pedal steel has George Ls on it and I like the tone...
...Bob is a genuinely nice fellow by phone and email and I enjoyed visiting with him during the process... would happily do it again...
(next time a double!)
Mike |
|
|
|
