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Post by pete1951 on Jan 18, 2024 18:10:41 GMT
Some of you may have noticed that I was trying to get rid of a couple of incomplete lap steels. One ( when it’s got pickups etc. is going to a new home but there is a bit of messing around to do first! The bridge at the moment is a monster made from an old solid brass door handle. My original idea was to use it as a test rig, so there is room to fit a very large pickup, it is now going to have a Fender style one which is much shorter than a humbucker. my first idea was to keep the bridge and put the pickup in a raised wooden block ( which I made) Two problems, the block is very close to the holes drilled for the vol/tone . Also it’s good to keep the strings parallel with the fret board and to do this would mean a very high nut, with more friction and possibly tuning troubles. I have decided on a more radical solution. more tomorrow...  |
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Post by pete1951 on Jan 19, 2024 11:48:03 GMT
So the big bridge has gone, and I have a Tele Style bridge. Of coarse I will now need a scratch plate to cover the bridge and pickup holes , but this is much more straightforward than packing the pickup up, putting a wedge under the finger board( to keep the strings parallel with it) .  Pete |
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Post by bonzo on Jan 19, 2024 12:13:31 GMT
Hi Pete, I've got a tele with the 'ashtray' bridge cover that may do the job if compatible.
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Post by pete1951 on Jan 19, 2024 14:56:01 GMT
Hi Pete, I've got a tele with the 'ashtray' bridge cover that may do the job if compatible. That’s very kind to offer, I think I have a pickup for this one, will pm you about a possible future build. Pete |
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Post by pete1951 on Jan 20, 2024 9:49:10 GMT
Pickup coming tomorrow, then just pots and strings and a jack socket and it’s done  Pete |
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Post by pete1951 on Jan 28, 2024 13:30:45 GMT
So here it is. If I was starting from scratch there are a few things I would have changed but it turned out pretty good.
Pete
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Post by mitchfit on Jan 29, 2024 4:04:38 GMT
mucho guapo, mi amigo. what tuning?
mitchfit
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Post by pete1951 on Jan 29, 2024 6:51:35 GMT
I use a G6th tuning. B D E G B D. I like having GBD on top as I am mostly an open G player. The intervals of the bottom 5 strings are the same as the top 5 of C6th which many use.
Pete
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Post by pete1951 on Jan 29, 2024 14:50:24 GMT
So, if I was starting from scratch what would I have done differently? The main thing would be the head. I like the slotted style as it is less trouble tuning ( though a little harder to string) but I would have raised it up to lower the brake angle of the strings.  So it would look more like the maple lap in the picture. More generous cut outs for the controls would be good ( I had to remove the bridge to pass wires under it) And a one piece bridge saddle rather than the 6 piece Fender style ( you don’t need individual intonation adjustments on a lap steel) There may be more, if I think of any I’ll add them to my list. Pete |
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Post by tomgiemza on Jan 29, 2024 20:23:07 GMT
Very nice lap steel. Just a few weeks ago I was thinking about buying one and learning to play, but then I thought that without having to worry about frets, radiused fretboard, bone nut and compensated bridge, it should be quite easy to build, I think I'll try. And I got a spare tele bridge plate and pickup in a drawer...
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Post by pete1951 on Jan 29, 2024 22:32:47 GMT
Some time ago I made a video “How to make a Lap Steel in 10 minutes “. I did prepare a few bits in advance, but if you just want something that plays well and are not worried about what it look like it can be a quick build.
Pete
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Post by pete1951 on Jan 29, 2024 23:11:25 GMT
Very nice lap steel. Just a few weeks ago I was thinking about buying one and learning to play, but then I thought that without having to worry about frets, radiused fretboard, bone nut and compensated bridge, it should be quite easy to build, I think I'll try. And I got a spare tele bridge plate and pickup in a drawer... I have made a couple of lap guitars using aTele bridge plate. I think I will do a short video,making a lap steel using just hand tools and a Tele plate. I have some ideas on simplifying the build. .and I guess it still fits this ‘lap steel rethinking’ thread. More soon Pete |
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Post by pete1951 on Jan 31, 2024 10:14:05 GMT
Have just done a quick search of the ‘net’ and found loads of videos on lap steel construction. They tend to be of 2 types. One type uses a lump of scrap wood and the end result is a usable lap steel that looks very rough and often not very ergonomic.
The second type of maker has access to lots of tools and tries to make a more ‘ finished ‘ instrument .
I am trying to figure out a way of making something with a minimum of tools ( drill, hand saw, sandpaper and maybe a file) and still end up with something that looks and plays ok.
Though my first idea involved a Tele bridge, I am thinking that a Strat pick guard and hard tail bridge would be easier to use .( you can pick up a Strat plate with 3 pickups very cheaply and I have one spare at the moment). The plate would be cut down so only one pickup would be used and the second tone knob hole would become the jack socket.
Pete
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Post by pete1951 on Feb 2, 2024 10:33:53 GMT
I am having a change of heart, and it’s back to a Tele Style bridge for my ‘ Hand tools only’ build. I have just laid out the Strat scratch plate and tried a trimmed down shape, but even with the second tone control removed I’m not happy with the look. However, I may make one using the entire scratch plate and an old Hofner headstock. This would ( with a 22 1/2” scale) give a fun 2 pickup lap. The 5 position switch would be replaced with a 4 way ( these are made for Teles and give you , Bass , Bass+treble in parallel , Bass +Treble in series, and Treble) the mid pickup is already reversed magnet/ out of phase, so the middle 2 positions would be humbucking. The second tone pot would be exchanged for a Jack.  Pete |
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Post by leeophonic on Feb 2, 2024 21:21:42 GMT
  Brandoni Music circa 1995 at the Wembley guitar show had the leftovers of the Hofner factory, included were mahogany lapsteel blanks, at £15 I took a chance, the chrome bridge was another Tenner, I used a local luthier to make it up with my usual choice of pearloid for the headstock (the same sheet of pearloid on Michaels Dave king telecaster!!!) the pickup was made by Kent Armstrong who also supplied a wiring diagram after I chatted to him for half an hour or so on the phone (pre email). So that was that. Then a few years ago another pops up on Ebay, £25 for an unfinished body and another Tenner for the Bridge, I have all the other stuff kicking around just waiting for the mood to take me and I will give the project another push. There is a steel bar in each neck, for the latest one I have a maple fingerboard and will go with dark frt markers and inlays (who knows) the pickup is from a Godin electric that I coodercasted so it will not go to waste Lee Attachments:
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