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Post new topic Console grand leg upgrade?
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Author Topic:  Console grand leg upgrade?
Jimmy Douglas

 

From:
Raceview, Queensland, Australia
Post  Posted 23 Mar 2024 8:44 pm    
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I recently acquired this F serial 1940 D-8 console grande. Lovely sound.


The legs work but do not feel as stable with the old twist and lock compared to the threaded legs on the fenders.

Can someone more knowledgeable and experienced than I show me how they sorted this out on their guitar. Trying not to drill more holes just replace the lugs and legs.

Thank you in advance. Jimmy
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Brad Bechtel


From:
San Francisco, CA
Post  Posted 24 Mar 2024 3:41 am    
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Could you please post a photo of the underside of the guitar? A close up of the current leg connection would be easier than the top.

Beautiful guitar though - I can understand your reluctance to make unnecessary modifications.
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Jimmy Douglas

 

From:
Raceview, Queensland, Australia
Post  Posted 24 Mar 2024 4:54 am    
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Brad, thanks for your interest. Some shots of the underside and leg and lugs.

Last edited by Jimmy Douglas on 24 Mar 2024 5:01 am; edited 1 time in total
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Jimmy Douglas

 

From:
Raceview, Queensland, Australia
Post  Posted 24 Mar 2024 4:59 am    
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Jack Hanson


From:
San Luis Valley, USA
Post  Posted 24 Mar 2024 8:36 am    
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An option worth considering: With a pair of custom brackets, you could eliminate the legs altogether and set your lovely Console Grande on a Deluxe34 stand.
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Jimmy Douglas

 

From:
Raceview, Queensland, Australia
Post  Posted 24 Mar 2024 1:10 pm    
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Jack.

Thanks, that is definitely an option worth considering. Asher is doing those stands now I think. I will investigate that option if I can't get the threaded socket approach happening. I find the threaded legs into the body like on the fenders the most stable especially when standing.
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John Rosett


From:
Missoula, MT
Post  Posted 24 Mar 2024 1:33 pm    
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A previous owner of my '48 replaced the original leg sockets with modern screw in ones. I usually play standing up, and they work fine.

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Jimmy Douglas

 

From:
Raceview, Queensland, Australia
Post  Posted 24 Mar 2024 2:28 pm    
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John, thanks for that. They look good and like the fenders set back from the end of the guitar

My only concern is on the 40 the lugs are right at the end of the body and close to the p/u adjustment screws.

The modern lugs may be too wide and
spill over the body or block up the adjustment screws.

Thank you for your help.

Jimmy
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Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 25 Mar 2024 11:12 am    
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I bought legs and flanges from Sill Music.
On the end with the two legs I trimmed the flanges.
Erv
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Jimmy Douglas

 

From:
Raceview, Queensland, Australia
Post  Posted 25 Mar 2024 12:17 pm    
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Thanks Erv, that makes sense. Did you have to drill new holes for the modern flanges?

Jimmy
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Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 26 Mar 2024 8:20 am    
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Yes, I had to drill new holes.
Erv
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Jimmy Douglas

 

From:
Raceview, Queensland, Australia
Post  Posted 26 Mar 2024 7:15 pm    
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Thanks Erv, sounds like the way to go.
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Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 27 Mar 2024 6:37 am    
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Yes, it turned out VERY nice.
Erv
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Bill Sinclair


From:
Waynesboro, PA, USA
Post  Posted 27 Mar 2024 6:58 am    
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Jimmy,

Here's a thread with a picture of the guitar I think Erv is talking about. Nice job. As you noted, on your early guitar with the Charlie Christian style pickups, the sockets have to be much closer to the end of the guitar. Probably to avoid interfering with the large magnets on those pickups. It looks like the Sill sockets would work but you may have to trim the flange in two places to make them fit back there.

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=388526&highlight=gibson

Be aware that the standard sockets that Gary Sill sells are 1/2"-13 thread while Stringmaster legs are 3/4"-10. I only mention that because you mentioned the threaded legs on a Fender, in case that's what you have on hand.
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Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 27 Mar 2024 9:17 am    
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Bill,
Yes, that's the guitar.
And I agree, I don't think Stringmaster legs would work with Sill's flanges.
You need to get both the legs and the flanges. You can buy just the three legs.
Erv
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Kevin Glandon

 

From:
New York, USA
Post  Posted 30 Mar 2024 9:50 am    
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You may wish to look at this thread. I have a Gibson Console Grande and wanted to keep its close to stock but make the legs stable.
https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=377341&highlight=
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Jimmy Douglas

 

From:
Raceview, Queensland, Australia
Post  Posted 30 Mar 2024 12:04 pm    
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Bill, thank you for all that information. Very thoughtful and helpful. Erv, They sure came up nice on that blonde guitar!

I don't have any legs that aren't on a guitar at the moment so I can order some or make some.

Kevin that is a very interesting thread and a nice solution, well done and thank you. It may be the best approach to retain the originality. I wonder if I could do a similar mod with store bought telescopic legs for standing? I would just need to epoxy in the nuts.




Jimmy
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