Finishing projects, lap steel and amp cab

[pete1951]

At last, a couple of things that have been around for ages are done.
The lap steel I will be offering for sale soon , and was put together with wood and parts I have had under my bench for years. The amp ( an Ampmaker Champ clone) was made a couple of years ago and the wine box was used to store pumpkins over the winter, it was a bit of a squash getting it in!

Pete

[Michael Messer]

They both look great. Can we see some photos of them please?

Shine On
Michael

[pete1951]

Here are a couple of snaps.

The centre is iroko and was part of the main entrance door to Queens’ College Cambridge
The blonde timber is maple, again from Queens’ but this time from the floor of the squash courts
The ‘wings’ are off-cuts from a door , and I am not sure what wood they are ( I did ask on the forum, but nobody replied)




The bridge and pickup are from a Fender Tele copy (squire?) out of my parts draw



The m/heads are new. The fret marker board came from George’s Boards and is covered with Perspex

[leeophonic]

Nice project well done for using up what is already at hand.

Lee

[Michael Messer]

Pete, I can't see your photos, the links don't appear to have worked. Or is it me?

Shine On
Michael

[mitchfit]

Michael,

comes through fine with my outdated browser.

maybe just time lag on his uploads.

{?}

mitch

[pete1951]

Will try to improve links to photos today
Pete
And include some of the amp

[Michael Messer]

Doesn't come through on my computer or my phone.

Shine On
Michael

[Pickers Ditch]

Comes through both of mine - Android phone and Firefox on the PC, adblocker enabled on both.

Have you paid your bill, Michael?

[pete1951]

Here are a few pics of the amp...



The wine box was very well made ( for a wine box) with halving joints on the corners. I just had to knock it apart and glue it up.

The amp has an added tone control, and knobs made of Champagne corks, to keep the wine theme going ( it also is pictured with a guitar made out of a wine box )

[leeophonic]

Great looking amp, I have a lot of projects that need kicking down the road so will have to pick up the bucket of enthusiasm and splash it around,

Now what UB40 song would sound good through that am.....Rwd Red w.....


Lee

[Michael Messer]

Jan 17, 2021 10:36:25 GMT leeophonic said:

Great looking amp, I have a lot of projects that need kicking down the road so will have to pick up the bucket of enthusiasm and splash it around,

Now what UB40 song would sound good through that am.....Rwd Red w.....


Lee

Oops...a bit off topic, but while Red Red Wine was a big hit for British band UB40, it was written and recorded by Neil Diamond in 1967 and it has been covered by dozens of artists. Apart from Neil's own recording, my favourites are Jamaican legend Ken Boothe's reggae version and Dave Kelly's beautiful slide guitar instrumental. Dave recorded it in 1980 on his "Feels Right" album.







I still can't see the photos! Not on my MacBook, or iPhone. I have tried various things, including paying my bill ;-)

Not to worry, I get the idea. They look great.

Shine On
Michael

[lexluthier]

Hi Pete! Just had a rant about wood on Main Street and it reminded me about your recent post.

I believe the wood on the wings of marvellous lap steel could be Black Palm, it looks really familiar from Asian made guitars from the 70s and early 80s. It still gets used for many things to this day including musical instruments but not so much for the visible parts of guitars as western customers prefer woods that at least look like mahogany. You some times still see it used as center blocks on modern Asian guitars where they think you won’t see it! It’s usually quite heavy.
Could be wrong of course but it’s the best I can make out from the photos.

Loving your work, regards, Chris.

[pete1951]

I don’t think I have ever used black palm, and it does not look much like pics I have seen on line. I have come across the wood before, in 1960s Japanese guitar necks.
Here is a closeup.
Pete

Ps: it is about the same density as mahogany .

[lexluthier]

Hi Pete. I agree, it’s much lighter than most pics online. It's just that it has that look to the end grain, lots of distinct darker coloured ‘dots’ that palm has. Maybe some other variety?
Those cheap, generic Japanese guitar necks is exactly what it reminded me of.
Chris