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Topic: Clinesmith Hawaiian Cast Aluminum Lap Steel Guitars are here |
Todd Clinesmith
From:
Lone Rock Free State Oregon
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Posted 20 Jul 2015 8:03 am |
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Well, it's here. I started designing this project over two years ago and submitted the prototype to one of my pattern shops about 19 months ago. After reworking the design several times to please the the foundry, the pattern shop and of course my expectations we are ready to produce this fine instrument.
At the request of several players wanting an all cast lap steel with 8 strings, built at a reasonable price . I took the challenge . These guitars are cast aluminum with a hollow neck.
I built these guitar models with several features:
High quality aluminum castings with hollow neck. A dense machinable casting that polishes out beautifully.
A string thru body design .
Custom string spacing available.
Short Scale of 22.5
Long Scale at 24.875 ( 24 7/
A string height of 7/16ths
The guitars have amazing sustain, and beautiful tone acoustically as well as plugged in.
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Mark Roeder
From:
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
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C. E. Jackson
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 20 Jul 2015 8:49 am
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A dream come true!
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 20 Jul 2015 8:50 am
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Wow!! Congratulations of another fine instrument, Todd. These look terrific.
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Steel Guitar Books! Website: www.volkmediabooks.com |
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Todd Clinesmith
From:
Lone Rock Free State Oregon
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Posted 20 Jul 2015 8:54 am
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Thanks Guys.
| C. E. Jackson wrote: |
Beautiful steels, Todd. What is your standard string spacing at bridge and nut? Is there an extra charge for custom string spacing? Thank you.
C. E. |
I built this design based on a spacing at the bridge of of 2.75 inches, and 2.375 at the nut. Which is what the first 4 prototypes feature.
The design could comfortably allow a string spacing as wide as 3 inches at the bridge, and up to 2.5 at the nut. Custom string spacing will not have an extra charge. For now the guitars will be sold on a custom order basis. I am entertaining the idea of working with a few select stores across the country . |
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C. E. Jackson
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Jim Rossen
From:
Iowa, USA
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Posted 20 Jul 2015 12:26 pm
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Todd-
Please tell more regarding the un-amplified sound. Is the volume sufficient to practice without an amp? Accompany an acoustic guitar? That would be something!
Thanks
Jim |
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George Piburn
From:
The Land of Enchantment New Mexico
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Posted 20 Jul 2015 1:10 pm Awesome Sauce
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Congratulations Todd on yet another Master Piece in design and execution.
More Proof that a Thought can be realized into a Living Tangible Experience.
Louis Armstrong sang - what a wonderful world! |
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John Rosett
From:
Missoula, MT
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Posted 20 Jul 2015 1:19 pm
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I saw one in the "flesh" last month, and it's even more breathtaking in person.
Todd-If I ever get any money, you're going to be the first person that I call!
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"it's not in bad taste, if it's funny." - john waters |
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Jonathan Lam
From:
Brooklyn, NY
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Jerry Gleason
From:
Eugene, Oregon, USA
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Posted 20 Jul 2015 4:09 pm
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| Fantastic, Todd! If I didn't already have too many steel guitars, I'd be in line for one. Maybe someday... |
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Todd Clinesmith
From:
Lone Rock Free State Oregon
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Posted 20 Jul 2015 7:55 pm
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Thanks again for the support and great questions. The support from other great builders as George, Tom, and Jerry of course mean so much .
Jim,
Sorry, my post may have been misleading a bit. There is no big acoustic volume coming out of the instrument. I put a lot of work into the initial design and as I worked with the foundry, pattern maker and shop work here at home over the past. I tried to get a certain tone I found extremely favorable for a Hawaiian steel sound. What I imagine an 8 string frypan type guitar should sound like. Getting the proper tone played plugged in always seems to reflect the tone I get unplugged.
The pickup has a lot to do with the guitar, but design and materials is the foundation of the tone . Which is what I was trying to get at. Thanks for your question so I could clarify that.
I am making these with the famous Paul Bigsby blade pickup, and also a "shoe" design pickup. Both are brilliant sounding units that capture the body of the instruments tonal characteristics like no other pickups out there IMO.
Here's a photo of a short scale with the the "shoe" pickup under the pickup cover:
John R. Great to hang and play some fine music in Weiser ID. last month, as always the best time of year is Weiser time!
And Johnny, Thank you for your continual interest in the project. As you well know it has been a long time coming.
Jerry, we gotta keep in touch more often, I hope you are well and playing a lot of music as you should be !
I have a few more photos to upload when the forum will let me. |
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 21 Jul 2015 5:56 am
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Man, they look nice ... !!!  |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 21 Jul 2015 6:35 am
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Amazing looking stuff, Todd. When I grow up, I want to own one of these!
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Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Todd Clinesmith
From:
Lone Rock Free State Oregon
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Posted 21 Jul 2015 8:38 am
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Thanks Rick and Brad.
Doug,
I have always liked long scale instruments, with the exception of some Bakelite Ricky's I owned. But I have been having a blast playing these "little" guitars. I need the nudge to get some sound clips going. My studio is far from complete, as all's that in there is guitars and amps. I am looking into getting to a friends studio before he moves away.
Another of the polished out short scale guitar:
A long scale with separate tone and volume knobs:
I made these as 8 string guitars as there seems to be a lot of 6 string Frypans, and cast Nationals ect. made back in the day. The lack of 8 strings seemed like a missing ingredient in the cast steel guitar world. I have had some emails about 6 and 7 string guitars. I can make 6 and 7 stringers with these castings, but with the 8 stair step head stock.
Todd |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 21 Jul 2015 10:23 am
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Astonishing !
i just hope I don't get a chance to see and hear one in person. I am powerless when it comes to resisting your amazing guitars ....
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Bob |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 21 Jul 2015 5:48 pm
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Here a couple Clinesmiths in action last night in Houston.
Will Van Horn and I played a duet gig
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Bob |
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chas smith R.I.P.
From:
Encino, CA, USA
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Posted 21 Jul 2015 8:18 pm
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| Oooooooooooohhhhhhhh, I wish I hadn't seen that........ |
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Todd Clinesmith
From:
Lone Rock Free State Oregon
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Posted 21 Jul 2015 8:43 pm
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| Bob Hoffnar wrote: |
Astonishing !
i just hope I don't get a chance to see and hear one in person. I am powerless when it comes to resisting your amazing guitars .... |
In attempt to build guitars, I discovered Bob Hoffnar Kryptonite, possibly Chas Smith Kryptonite as well.
Bob good to see you playing the guitar out and letting others play it too. I got an email from a great player who borrowed your D-10 a year or so back to do a few sit in gigs with "The Wheel".
Thanks... |
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Mikiya Matsuda
From:
San Francisco, California, USA
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 22 Jul 2015 5:09 am
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Look what came in the mail yesterday! This was about 5 minutes after I unboxed it and hadn't plugged it in yet.
When I plugged it in, I was floored. A remarkable guitar and I hope my playing does it justice. You'll be hearing plenty of it, I promise! 
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Rick Stratton
From:
Tujunga, California, USA
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Posted 22 Jul 2015 8:11 am
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What scale did you get Mike?
This looks like what I've been waiting for!
Wonderful work Todd!
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Jackson Pro-IV D-10, Fender Dual-Pro 8, Epiphone Zephyr-6 |
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