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Topic: New Double 8 build (video added) |
Jerry Gleason
From:
Eugene, Oregon, USA
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Posted 30 Jun 2015 1:29 am |
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For those who already saw this on Facebook, apologies from the Department of Redundancy Department. 
I built a new D-8 Console. The look is largely inspired by the old Magnatone Lyric from the early fifties, but my own take on it, with more modern features. 24" scale.
One of the salient features of this guitar is the movable pickups. I made a sliding track mechanism for the the pickup mounts that allows them to move 20mm forward and back (you saw it here first, folks…). This allows for a very wide tonal range, especially when combined with the "coil split" switch or transformer tap, or whatever you call that function on an Alumitone pickup.
I photographed it with two different fretboard styles because I still haven't decided which ones to use. The black ones are printed on vinyl, and mounted to a plastic board. Those aren't hard to make, and the design possibilities are unlimited. The white plastic ones are made the old fashioned way. Clear plastic, painted white on the back, then the fret lines cut in from the back with a table saw, and the dots milled and filled in with paint. I also made a set of brass nuts and bridges, but so far, I'm digging the sound with the aluminum ones, and the guitar has lots of sustain. I'll try to get something recorded with it soon.
Last edited by Jerry Gleason on 30 Jul 2015 4:12 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Billy Easton
From:
Nashville, TN USA
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Posted 30 Jun 2015 5:30 am
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Beautiful piece of work!! Can't wait to hear how it sounds...
Billy Easton
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Billy & Meriul Easton
Nashville, TN |
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Bill Sinclair
From:
Waynesboro, PA, USA
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Posted 30 Jun 2015 5:34 am
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| What a lovely D-8. I'm torn about the fretboards. I think the black ones are more aesthetically pleasing but I feel like I line up better with the contrast on a white fretboard. Plus you put a lot of work into the white ones. That's got to make you play better, right? |
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Chris Walke
From:
St Charles, IL
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Posted 30 Jun 2015 5:57 am
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| gorgeous. |
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Jim Myers
From:
Washington, USA
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Posted 30 Jun 2015 7:07 am
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Beautiful
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D8 Hollow neck acoustic.
Raised nut on a Gene Autry Melody Ranch.
ShoBud D10 The Professional.
56 D8 Stringmaster. |
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Larry Lenhart
From:
Ponca City, Oklahoma
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Posted 30 Jun 2015 8:39 am
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wow ! That is beautiful !! I love the choice of woods and I am a fan of the white fretboards. that is simply stunning. i have a cd of yours you recorded of your guitar and steel playing that is great ! Very talented man !!
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Zum Encore, Remington D8 non pedal, Hallmark Mosrite clone, Gretsch 6120 DSW, Gretsch G5210T-P90 Electromatic Jet Two 90,1976 Ibanez L5, Eastman archtop, Taylor Dreadnaught, Telonics pedal, Squire Tele, Squire Strat, Fender Tonemaster, Gold Tone 5 string banjo, Little Wonder tenor banjo, 3 Roland cubes 30s and 80, Carvin combo bass amp |
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Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 30 Jun 2015 9:17 am
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| fabulous!!! i would have gone with even more travel for the PU. |
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Roy Thomson
From:
Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada
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Posted 30 Jun 2015 10:11 am
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Fantastic Jerry!
_________________
Custom Tabs Various Tunings
Courses Lap Steel, Pedal Steel |
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Joe Elk
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 30 Jun 2015 10:12 am
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Absolutely beautiful!!!! If you have a schematic diagram, I would like to have a copy.
Joe Elk |
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Jerry Gleason
From:
Eugene, Oregon, USA
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Posted 30 Jun 2015 12:06 pm
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| Thank you for the kind words. Bill, I know what you mean about the pickup travel, but in this design, the pickups are mounted on the lower body, and the neck drops in over it. That means there's a practical limit to how much material can be removed without compromising the strength of the neck. Plus the aesthetics of having a large hole there. This is more about having an adjustable "sweet spot". For example, if it sounds too thin after you flip the tap switch, you can compensate by moving the pickup to the left. It's plenty of movement for a significant tonal change (it's actually more like 24mm of travel). If anything, I should have offset the hole a little more to the left, as there's really no need for it to go all the way back to where it touches the bridge. Anyway, it was just an experiment, and I'm pleased with the result. It's something I've never seen on a manufactured steel guitar, although I'm sure there are tinkerers like me that have done something similar. I suspect that now, other builders will try it, too. |
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David Knutson
From:
Cowichan Valley, Canada
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Posted 30 Jun 2015 2:14 pm
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What a lovely steel, Jerry! I'm just waiting for the parts for a single 8 that's my summer project, and although I've taken a great deal of inspiration for mine from the National New Yorker, I see a couple of details on yours that actually help solve a design difficulty. Thanks.
And I LOVE that little bit of protruding tailpiece!
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David K |
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Jeff Au Hoy
From:
Honolulu, Hawai'i
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Posted 30 Jun 2015 4:20 pm
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My favorite thing about the modular Magnatone style design is the neck-to-neck balance—something which the Fenders lack.
Jerry, I'm positively giddy looking at your creation. I'm in love with the white fretboard. Also, the controls are optimally positioned for pinky swells!!!  |
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Jerry Gleason
From:
Eugene, Oregon, USA
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Posted 30 Jun 2015 6:50 pm
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| Thanks, guys! Jeff, you're right, I did place the volume and tone knobs where they could be operated with the little finger. Pinky swells and tone wah's! |
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Jerry Gleason
From:
Eugene, Oregon, USA
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Posted 30 Jul 2015 4:13 pm
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I finally got something recorded with my recently completed double 8 console. This simple Bebop tune was my attempt to write something in the style of the late bassist and composer Oscar Pettiford, who was always one of my favorites from the Bebop era. It's a little loose here and there, but I hope you will enjoy it.
https://youtu.be/NHlykkNsbLw |
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Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 30 Jul 2015 4:18 pm
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| Jerry Gleason wrote: |
| Anyway, it was just an experiment, and I'm pleased with the result. It's something I've never seen on a manufactured steel guitar, although I'm sure there are tinkerers like me that have done something similar. I suspect that now, other builders will try it, too. |
your playing is just great!!!!
jim flynn at lonestar steels in tx makes some sliding pickup set ups on his guitars if you want that feature. i had him put that on a 6 string pedal guitar. |
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Stefan Robertson
From:
Hertfordshire, UK
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Posted 30 Jul 2015 4:27 pm
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Absolutely love the craftsmanship and the video. Too bad all these amazing builders are over in the U.S. And not the UK
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Stefan
Bill Hatcher custom 12 string Lap Steel Guitar
E13#9/F secrets: https://thelapsteelguitarist.wordpress.com
"Give it up for The Lap Steel Guitarist" |
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Todd Clinesmith
From:
Lone Rock Free State Oregon
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Rick Barnhart
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 30 Jul 2015 6:16 pm
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That was VERY good, Jerry thanks for posting that.
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Clinesmith consoles D-8/6 5 pedal, D-8 3 pedal & A25 Frypan, Pettingill Teardrop, & P8 Deluxe. |
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Jerry Gleason
From:
Eugene, Oregon, USA
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Posted 30 Jul 2015 7:38 pm
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| Thanks, guys! I appreciate all the nice comments. Sorry it's taken me a few weeks to get a video up. |
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Peter Funk
From:
Germany
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Posted 30 Jul 2015 10:56 pm
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| Jerry Gleason wrote: |
I finally got something recorded with my recently completed double 8 console.
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 This is FANTASTIC! 
Great tone and playing! |
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Steffen Gunter
From:
Munich, Germany
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Posted 30 Jul 2015 11:39 pm
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Wow, this guitar looks and sounds fantastic and the playing is brill.
I'd like to know what string brand and amp was used.
Thank you for sharing this!
Steffen |
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Jerry Gleason
From:
Eugene, Oregon, USA
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Posted 30 Jul 2015 11:53 pm
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| Thank you. Steffen, no amps were used in the making of this video. the steel and guitar were recorded direct. I only mic'ed the bass. As far as strings, nothing special. I stocked up on singles a while back from the sgf store, so they are probably GHS nickel wound. The wound strings were already well on their way to wearing out by the time I recorded this, but it still came out ok. |
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Jan Jonsson
From:
Gothenburg, Sweden
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Posted 31 Jul 2015 5:22 am
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Bravo, Jerry!
Beautiful guitar, wonderful sound and excellent playing … what else is there to want? …. Well, maybe a CD with your steel playing ...
-- Jan
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CDs: Waltz for Elma (2015), Steel Reflections (2009)
Gear: 10-string Desert Rose "Delta Blues", Fender Deluxe 8, Fender CS Nocaster
Transcriptions of Lloyd Green's music: www.lloydgreentribute.com (Tablature menu) |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 31 Jul 2015 6:23 am
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Nice job, Jerry! I like the look of the white fretboards myself. This makes the guitar look like an updated Magnatone double neck (not a bad thing, in my opinion).
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Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
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Joe Breeden
From:
Virginia, USA
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Posted 31 Jul 2015 8:27 am
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| Great job Jerry. Love the looks and sound of your guitar. Playing is great too. |
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