| Author |
Topic: Does anyone have a veneered steel guitar? |
Dave Stroud
From:
Texas
|
Posted 7 Feb 2017 11:22 am |
|
I tried to register on steelguitarbuilder.com to post this question, but I couldn't get pass the security question. I typed "Green" when it asked "Who is famous steel player Lloyd G____? (type last name)" but it didn't work and now it says I've 'exceeding the number of registration attempts for this session'.
Anyways, does anyone have a veneer covered steel guitar? I'm wondering if I need to 'balance' or 'back' it by applying a balancing veneer to the underside of the body.
Thanks! |
|
|
 |
Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
|
Posted 7 Feb 2017 12:04 pm
|
|
You wouldn't need to, but I think you'd want something to seal the wood.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
|
|
|
Dave Stroud
From:
Texas
|
|
|
|
Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
|
Posted 7 Feb 2017 12:16 pm
|
|
I think a veneer is used just for appearances, like on the front of the guitar. I know Emmons used a veneer on the front of their lacquered p/p's.
I believe a hard rock maple was used for the cabinet and then more of a fancy maple veneer was used for the front. |
|
|
|
Dave Stroud
From:
Texas
|
Posted 7 Feb 2017 12:38 pm
|
|
So the question is this:
Did Emmons also apply a veneer to the underside of their p/p's?
Wood veneer is much different than mica, or any other type of glue-on finish, because it is real wood, and it reacts like real wood.
One of the issues with veneer is it expands and compresses throughout seasonal/humidity changes. In woodworking, a 'backer' or 'balancing' veneer is applied to the back side of a board because it 'balances' out the differing tensions between the veneer and the wood, both of which are compressing/decompressing at different rates. The claim is if you attach a veneer to only one side of a board, it may eventually bubble/ripple/detach from the substrate due to the imbalance of tensions. A veneer on both sides of the board balances out the varying tensions, and makes detaching less likely.
Because of all the bolts, screws, and metal on a steel guitar, I'm not sure a balancing veneer is necessary. Then again, our steel guitar necks aren't screwed down super tight, so there might be a tiny wiggle room there to put in consideration. |
|
|
|
Dave Stroud
From:
Texas
|
Posted 7 Feb 2017 2:25 pm
|
|
This thread can probably be closed. For future reference, "Joe" from veneersupplies.com and joewoodworker.com says he doesn't think it's necessary. He seems like a 'better safe than sorry' kind of guy, so if he says it's not needed- it's probably really not needed.
Thanks, Erv and Lane. I think you both are usually the first to comment on most my threads. Do ya'll have a rivalry or something?  |
|
|
|
Bruce Derr
From:
Lee, New Hampshire, USA
|
Posted 7 Feb 2017 4:14 pm
|
|
| The veneer apron on my lacquer Carter is 1/8", quite thick compared to, say, the veneer on my old dresser. |
|
|
|
Ned McIntosh
From:
New South Wales, Australia
|
Posted 9 Feb 2017 4:52 pm
|
|
The "sausage-quilt" maple on the front apron of my Carter is a veneer:-
_________________
The steel guitar is a hard mistress. She will obsess you, bemuse and bewitch you. She will dash your hopes on what seems to be whim, only to tease you into renewing the relationship once more so she can do it to you all over again...and yet, if you somehow manage to touch her in that certain magic way, she will yield up a sound which has so much soul, raw emotion and heartfelt depth to it that she will pierce you to the very core of your being. |
|
|
|
